SSA - Climate Change and Health Project Officer - Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Facilities

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. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating global health responses and setting health standards. The organization focuses on various health issues, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, health systems, and emergency response, among others. WHO is committed to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that all people can access essential health services without financial hardship.

Job Overview:
The SSA (Short-Term Consultant) will provide critical support for the WHO project titled 'Safe, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities,' which is set to run from 2026 to 202

• This project aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of healthcare facilities in Fiji and two other countries by integrating climate change considerations into health facility assessments and action planning. The SSA will be responsible for building a knowledge base among healthcare workers, prioritizing healthcare facilities for assessments, developing climate-responsive improvement plans, and supporting the integration of monitoring tools. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) and other project teams, to ensure cohesive delivery of project objectives. The SSA will also contribute to monitoring and evaluation efforts to track project progress and outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in coordinating the development of a knowledge base and enhancing skills of healthcare workers in resilient and environmentally sustainable facilities.
• Prioritize healthcare facilities for detailed assessments and support systematic implementation of assessments.
• Develop and implement climate-responsive improvement plans for selected healthcare facilities, including procurement and contract management tasks.
• Prepare sustainability plans for waste management, water, sanitation, and energy for selected healthcare facilities.
• Integrate tools and dashboards to track progress on resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of annual results-based work plans and logical frameworks.
• Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including the development of monitoring mechanisms required by MoHMS, WHO, and the Institute of Philanthropy.
• Coordinate with project officers and teams from aligned programs to support joint planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting activities.
• Align project activities with the Ministry’s Guidelines for Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Health Care Facilities and Fiji’s National Health Adaptation Plan. 1
• Support other climate change and health-related activities as agreed between WHO and MoHMS.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a university degree in Environmental Health, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, Health Information Systems, or a related field. Desirable qualifications include a postgraduate qualification or advanced degree (Master’s) in the same fields, along with additional training in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Energy (Solarization), and Construction/Retrofitting for health systems. Candidates should also have technical skills in climate change and health tools, training and facilitation experience, and knowledge of relevant policies and guidelines.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in a relevant field such as Environmental Health, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, or Health Information Systems. A postgraduate qualification or advanced degree (Master’s) in these areas is desirable. Additional qualifications or training in WASH, Energy, and health systems construction or retrofitting are considered advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant work experience in Environmental Health or Public Health, with specific experience in assessing healthcare facilities. Desirable experience includes engineering design, procurement, and quality assurance of infrastructure projects at the healthcare facility level, as well as familiarity with digital/web-based systems and survey tools. A strong understanding of climate change and health risk pathways is also a plus.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential for this position. A basic understanding of iTaukei and Hindi is considered beneficial but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The salary for this role will range from FJD 32,999.24 to FJD 53,034.50, depending on qualifications and experience. The initial contract duration is 12 months, with the possibility of extension. This position is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by Fiji nationals residing in the local commuting area of the duty station. Candidates facing technical issues with the application portal can submit their application via email, including a cover letter and CV. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test or interview may be used as part of the screening process. Candidates must provide proof of their educational qualifications from accredited institutions. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States.