Vacancy Announcement

Job title:  

Environmental Services Manager, (KGH / MCOE)

Work Location:

Kono

Department:

Koidu Government Hospital Koidu Town, Kono District, Sierra Leone

Reports to:

Associate Director of Operations

Line Management

No

Requisition #

4347

Duration of Contract

Twelve (12) Months with possibility of extension

Application Status

External Advert

Organisation Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world. 

Our Work In Sierra Leone:

Partners In Health (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview

The Environmental Services Manager at Partners In Health Sierra Leone will lead the environmental Services department including the Waste management team, Hygiene, Laundry, landscaping, and morgue units at Koidu Government Hospital, and support other facilities across PIH Sierra Leone. They will develop and implement infection waste management policies, ensuring full compliance with Sierra Leone Ministry of Health standards. As the waste management subject matter expert for the PIH Sierra Leone team, they will oversee waste segregation, transport, and disposal processes to ensure the safe handling of hazardous and non-hazardous waste at PIH-supported healthcare facilities. They will have a proven ability to manage large teams, including hospital cleaners and waste management technicians. The Environmental Services Manager will collaborate closely with clinical and technical teams to support sustainable waste management practices across PIH Sierra Leone, and integrate infection, prevention, and control (IPC) measures into hospital operations.

The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on implementation experience in environmental services, waste management, and IPC. Practical experience in low-resource healthcare settings, particularly in Africa, is essential. A bachelor's degree in public health, environmental science, healthcare administration, or a related field is preferred, and advanced professional training or certifications will be highly valued. Successful candidates will demonstrate a history of improving compliance with national Ministry of Health standards.

The role will collaborate closely with the PIH Sierra Leone clinical and operations teams, PIH’s international Facilities Engineering group, and other program supporting staff. We seek candidates who are proactive, organized, and detail oriented, with a service-oriented mindset and strong cross-cultural communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

50% Team Management 

•        Lead and manage the environmental services team at Koidu Government Hospital and supported health centers, ensuring compliance with Sierra Leone Ministry of Health standards for hygiene, waste management, and environmental safety. 

•        Train and supervise staff responsible for environmental services, including Environmental Health Assistants and Waste Zone Assistants, ensuring compliance with established procedures for safe waste disposal and sanitation. Mentor Hygienist Supervisor and Waste Zone Supervisor in leading their teams of Cleaners and Waste Zone Operators 

• Supervise the daily  activity of the team of Laundry and Morgue staff
•        Conduct regular inspections of waste management practices within the hospital, with a particular focus on occupational safety, ensuring compliance with established protocols and implementing necessary corrective actions to address any identified issues promptly. 

•        Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development opportunities for team members, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in environmental services. 

•        Participate in emergency response and disaster recovery efforts as needed. 

25% Policy and Procedure Development 

•        Develop and implement Partners in Health Sierra Leone policies, procedures, and standard operating protocols (SOPs) for environmental services, hygiene, and waste management, ensuring compliance with Sierra Leone Ministry of Health standards and best practices. 

•        Create and maintain documentation for all environmental services protocols, including waste management, sanitation, and environmental health practices, and ensure accessibility for all relevant staff. 

•        Regularly review and update environmental services policies to reflect changes in regulations, best practices, and technological advancements. 

25% Project Management 

•        Manage environmental services-related projects, including waste management system upgrades, incinerator installations, and infrastructure improvements at Koidu Government Hospital and other PIH-supported facilities. 

•        Develop an annual and multi-year budget for PIH Sierra Leone environmental services. 

•        Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess project needs, develop scopes of work, and oversee project execution, ensuring adherence to budget, quality, and safety standards. 

•        Prepare and submit regular reports on project status, performance, and budget adherence to senior management and stakeholders, identifying opportunities for process improvement and efficiency. 

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Partners In Health’s PSEAH policy. Partner In Health will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during emploment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.  By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures

Qualifications/Requirements

Required: 

•        6+ years of experience as an Environmental Services Manager, WASH Manager, or a similar role, with hands-on implementation experience at healthcare facilities in the Global South, especially in Africa. 

•        2+ years of experience directly managing a team of EHS/WASH supervisors and technicians. 

•        Strong knowledge of waste management practices, incineration, and sanitation protocols, with familiarity with Sierra Leone Ministry of Health standards. 

•        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability and motivation to lead, train, and mentor a team of basic-skilled professionals. 

•        Ability and motivation to work on-site at healthcare facilities in rural Sierra Leone. 

•        Professional English language skills (CEFR B2+). Excellent communication and report-writing skills in English, with the ability to document and update protocols clearly. 

•        Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams). 

Preferred: 

•        Bachelor’s Degree and/or professional certification in waste management, environmental hygiene, or Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) will be an added advantage. 

•        Demonstrated experience implementing waste management protocols, building an environmental services team, and managing waste zone construction, including incinerator selection and installation. 

•        Experience and comfort with cross-functional collaboration, particularly integrating environmental services with other healthcare infrastructure needs (e.g., water supply, waste processing zones). 

Social Justice

Partners In Health Sierra Leone is dedicated to preventing unwanted behavior in the workplace, including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, financial misconduct, and ensuring the welfare of those, we serve. We expect all staff, consultants, contractors, vendors, and volunteers to uphold these values as outlined in our code of conduct.

The successful candidate will receive appropriate training and must adhere to the organization’s safeguarding policies. Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory references and screening checks, which may include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

As a participant in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, we request information from previous employers about any instances of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment. Additionally, Partners In Health Sierra Leone will share records of such misconduct with other agencies upon staff departure, ensuring transparency and accountability. By applying, candidates acknowledge and agree to these recruitment procedures

Method of application

Interested candidates are required to apply by email to www.pih.org/employment.   In your application, please ensure to include names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees not later than 12:00pm GMT (Midnight) on Wednesday 20th November 2024