The HCWM Manager will design, oversee, and monitor a comprehensive healthcare waste management system in line with national and international standards. This role involves ensuring safe segregation, treatment, and disposal of healthcare waste, training healthcare workers, and driving sustainable and community-friendly practices.
Key Responsibilities:
System Development and Oversight:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive healthcare waste management plan that aligns with national regulations and international standards.
- Establish protocols for waste segregation, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal.
Training and Capacity Building:
- Conduct regular training sessions for healthcare workers and support staff on waste handling, occupational safety, and infection prevention.
- Provide guidance on the proper use of personal protective equipment PPE and post- exposure prophylaxis procedures.
Monitoring and Compliance:
- Monitor adherence to healthcare waste management guidelines across all facilities.
- Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Waste Treatment and Disposal:
- Oversee the use of appropriate waste treatment technologies e.g., autoclaving, incineration, chemical disinfection based on waste type.
- Ensure safe and environmentally friendly final disposal methods, such as encapsulation or sanitary landfill use.
Data Management and Reporting:
- Maintain records of waste generation, segregation, treatment, and disposal activities.
- Prepare and submit periodic reports on HCWM activities, challenges, and improvements to program leadership and donors.
Risk Mitigation and Community Engagement:
- Identify and address risks associated with healthcare waste, including potential environmental and public health impacts.
- Engage with community stakeholders to address concerns and enhance the acceptability of HCWM practices.
Innovation and Sustainability:
- Explore and integrate sustainable waste management practices, including waste minimization, recycling, and the use of alternative treatment technologies.
- Develop strategies for transitioning to green and climate-resilient waste management Systems.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Degree in Environmental or Medical Sciences or any other science course with a master’s degree in any of these courses Public Health, Environmental/Medical Sciences, or any other relevant courses and at least five 5 years of progressive experience in HCWM.
- The consultant is expected to have previous experience in the preparation of HCWM technical instruments recognized by the World Bank, strong country knowledge of World
- Bank safeguard policies, and experience in hazardous/HCWM activities.
- At least five years’ experience in developing training manuals or other training documents for programs/projects funded by multilateral agencies specifically on hazardous/HCWM, working experience in Nigeria or developing country under similar conditions.
- Good technical and organizational background in performing hazardous/HCWM for programs/projects, and ability to cooperate and interact with stakeholders including facilitating meetings and workshops.
- Familiarity with analytical tools and ability to translate theoretical concepts into practical approaches for operational work; and
- Strong communication skills oral and written in English. Knowledge of other Nigerian languages will be an asset.
- Ability to work both in a team and independently and ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
- Experience with, and a demonstrated commitment to a community-based approach to development.
- Experience with the implementation of donor-funded programs is a plus.
- Ability to interface with multiple stakeholders, representatives, and partner professionally on an ongoing basis.
- Excellent analytical and information-seeking skills, and good decision-making skills.
- Experience with participatory planning and evaluation methods preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and public relations skills.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly and at short notice.
- Strong communication skills oral and written in English. Knowledge of other Nigerian languages will be an asset.
- Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
