Short-Term Consultant for Healthcare Waste Management

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO aims to achieve universal health coverage, protect people from health emergencies, and ensure that everyone can enjoy better health and well-being. The organization is committed to addressing global health challenges, including climate change, which significantly impacts health systems, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Pacific Islands.

Job Overview:
The Short-Term Consultant for Healthcare Waste Management will collaborate with the WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) of Tuvalu to provide technical assistance in developing a comprehensive Healthcare Waste Management Policy, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Implementation Plan, and training manual. The consultant will also conduct a detailed assessment of healthcare waste management practices at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). This role is crucial in addressing the urgent need for improved healthcare waste management in Tuvalu, particularly in light of the country's vulnerability to climate change and its impact on health services. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the healthcare waste management strategies align with WHO standards and support the overall resilience of the health system in Tuvalu.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Preparing an inception report with a detailed work plan for the consultancy activities.
• Leading the development of the National Healthcare Waste Management Policy in close coordination with MoHSW.
• Developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Healthcare Waste Management and facilitating orientation sessions for relevant officials.
• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of healthcare waste management practices at Princess Margaret Hospital, including waste quantification and disposal methods.
• Developing a Healthcare Waste Management Plan that includes an implementation strategy and monitoring framework.
• Creating a training manual for healthcare waste management, complete with training materials and presentations.
• Supporting project coordination and management, including participation in regular project meetings and reporting tasks.
• Submitting a final report detailing the consultancy's findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in environmental health, sanitary engineering, environmental engineering, public health, or related fields. An advanced degree (master’s) in these areas is desirable. Essential qualifications include demonstrated skills and at least 5 to 10 years of experience in environmental health, healthcare waste management, policy development, or strategic planning. Candidates should have advanced knowledge of healthcare waste management policies and practices, excellent organizational and reporting skills, and experience in dealing with government and donor institutions. Proven ability to conduct assessments related to environmental health in low-resource settings is also required, along with experience in developing adult-centered learning tools and delivering training.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in environmental health, sanitary engineering, environmental engineering, public health, or related fields. An advanced degree (master’s) in these areas is considered an asset, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in healthcare waste management and environmental health.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in environmental health, healthcare waste management, policy development, or strategic planning. Experience in the Pacific region is particularly desirable, as it indicates familiarity with the unique challenges and contexts of healthcare delivery in these island nations. Candidates should also have a proven track record in conducting assessments and developing policies at the facility level, which is critical for the successful implementation of healthcare waste management strategies.

Languages:
Fluency in the English language is essential for this position, as all documentation and communication will be conducted in English. While not mandatory, knowledge of additional languages spoken in the Pacific region may be considered an asset, as it could facilitate better communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of training sessions.

Additional Notes:
The consultant will be based full-time onsite in the WHO GEF Tuvalu Project Office located in Funafuti, Tuvalu. The expected duration of the contract is five months, from May 18, 2026, to October 17, 202

• The remuneration for this position ranges from USD 7,000 to USD 9,980 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. Travel may be required to the outer islands of Tuvalu and potentially to Suva, Fiji, for meetings with the WHO DPS PCE team. Candidates should be aware that WHO has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all members of the workforce are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards.