Do you want to make a difference? Join the world’s largest humanitarian network. The Canadian Red Cross Society, a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world, is currently seeking a Water and Sanitation (WatSan) Delegate.
As part of the coordinated response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the Canadian Red Cross is seeking qualified personnel to join the fight against Ebola. The response requires efforts on multiple fronts, including community outreach, contact tracing, surveillance, management of human remains and case management. This job description covers a profile required specifically for the case management component. Selected applicants will be deployed to a Red Cross Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) in West Africa between mid-November 2014 and April 2015.
Every mission will initially be limited to four weeks internationally due to the hardship of having to work under heavy personal protective equipment. Prior to deployment, the Red Cross will provide you with mission-specific training including an extensive practical course on Ebola and related safety procedures. During the mission, you will be working in a well-established ETC. After deployment, the Red Cross will extend your contract by an additional three weeks rest period during which you will be instructed on how to self monitor. This is not a quarantine period. Anyone deploying in this way will be placed under a Red Cross contract with pay and benefits. All applicants will need to meet the health and professional standards established by the CRC.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensures that water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste activities are carried out so that staff, patients, and the environment inside and outside the VHF Treatment Unit are not exposed to VHF contaminated material. The role of WatSan delegates involves working with in the ‘high risk’ wards of the Ebola treatment centre. The WatSan Delegate is aware of the risks involved in working in the VHF Treatment Unit. The WatSan follows all regulations concerning infection control and protective measures.
- General Responsibilities
• Follows up water, hygiene, and sanitation issues linked to the outbreak intervention. • Trains and educates staff of the hospital and other health structures in the affected area with respect to VHF and WatSan related issues. • Takes every opportunity to inform and sensitise the population when working in the field. • Attends and participates actively in weekly staff meeting. • Monitors stocks of cleaning and disinfection material. • Coordinates with Head Nurse for the monitoring and ordering of PPE, and other materials. • Reports activities to the Team Leader.
- Human Resources Management
• Provides technical support and supervises VHF ward support staff. • Supervises and guides the mobile teams in the field.
- Water, Hygiene and Sanitation • Ensures that safety procedures are implemented in all outbreak control activities. • Ensures that sufficient good quality water is available in the VHF Treatment Ward. • Ensures that sufficient quantities of chlorine solution are always available. • Ensures that latrines and bathing areas are well maintained, and cleaned and disinfected properly. • Undertake health and sanitation education and training activities. • Ensures that staff and patients are following the protection regulations. • Ensures that waste is collected, handled, transported, and disposed of safely and according to the protocols. • Ensures appropriate dead body management procedures and protocols are implemented.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: • Degree or diploma in Water/Sanitation or Civil engineering with a licence in Canada. • Minimum 3 years related experience. • Experience in report-writing, planning and managing a budget an asset. • Experience working in large-scale operations an asset. • International field experience an asset. • Experience managing staff or volunteers an asset.
Skills and Abilities: • Excellent communication skills (beneficiary communication). • Well organized and analytical. • Flexible, with demonstrated ability to plan and fix priorities. • Ability to work and deal with difficult conditions. • Ability to meet stress with emotional stability, objectivity and optimism. • Awareness and experience of working cross culturally. • Works well in a multi-disciplinary team. • Flexible to the changing needs and development of the program activities.
• Works efficiently in a challenging context, and an ability to live in basic conditions. • Support of and adherence to the Red Cross principles. • Strict adherence to infection control protocols.
• Works efficiently in a challenging context, and an ability to live in basic conditions. • Support of and adherence to the Red Cross principles. • Strict adherence to infection control protocols.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working in West Africa in direct contact with infectious diseases such as Ebola is very demanding, both physically and psychologically. The living conditions in West Africa are difficult and you will be expected to live in basic living conditions (hotel) near the Ebola Treatment Centre. Working hours are according to shift requirements but you will be expected to be available 24 hours per day.
During the 3 weeks post-mission self-monitoring period, you are expected to be a minimum 4 hours’ drive from a certified medical facility in Canada, and should undergo a systematic self check related to any potential exposure and your health status.
How to apply:
Interested parties may submit their application by applying on the Canadian Red Cross Online Career Website.
This position is open until filled.
Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
This position requires a successful Canadian criminal record check. The Canadian Red Cross Society is an equal opportunity employer.
