As part of efforts to  help African countries meet their obligations under the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, UNDP in partnership with WHO and the NGO Health Care Without Harm is implementing a pilot project called “Reducing Unintended Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) and Mercury Releases from the Health Sector in Africa”.

The overall objective of this full size GEF funded project is to implement best environmental practices and introduce non-incineration healthcare waste treatment technologies and mercury-free medical devices in four Sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia) to reduce harmful releases from the health sector.

The project will promote best practices and techniques for health-care waste management with the aim of minimizing or eliminating releases of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to help countries meet their obligations under the Stockholm Convention on POPs. The project will also support these countries in phasing-down the use of mercury containing medical devices and products, while improving practices for Mercury containing wastes with the objective to reduce releases of mercury in support of countries’ future obligations under the Minamata Convention. Finally, because the project will improve the healthcare waste management chain (e.g. classification, segregation, storage, transport and disposal), it is assumed that it will reduce the spread of infections both at healthcare facility level as well as places where healthcare waste is being handled.

The proposed regional project therefore aims to support project countries in phasing-down/out the use of Mercury containing medical devices, improving practices for Mercury containing wastes (including dental amalgam), and adopting measures in order to reduce releases of Mercury and meet future obligations under the Minamata Convention.

The project management team will be based at the Ministry of Health, Occupational & Environmental Health Unit (OEHU). The Project assistant will be supervised directly by the National Project Coordinator and will report to him.

As part of efforts to  help African countries meet their obligations under the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, UNDP in partnership with WHO and the NGO Health Care Without Harm is implementing a pilot project called “Reducing Unintended Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) and Mercury Releases from the Health Sector in Africa”.

The overall objective of this full size GEF funded project is to implement best environmental practices and introduce non-incineration healthcare waste treatment technologies and mercury-free medical devices in four Sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia) to reduce harmful releases from the health sector.

The project will promote best practices and techniques for health-care waste management with the aim of minimizing or eliminating releases of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to help countries meet their obligations under the Stockholm Convention on POPs. The project will also support these countries in phasing-down the use of mercury containing medical devices and products, while improving practices for Mercury containing wastes with the objective to reduce releases of mercury in support of countries’ future obligations under the Minamata Convention. Finally, because the project will improve the healthcare waste management chain (e.g. classification, segregation, storage, transport and disposal), it is assumed that it will reduce the spread of infections both at healthcare facility level as well as places where healthcare waste is being handled.

The proposed regional project therefore aims to support project countries in phasing-down/out the use of Mercury containing medical devices, improving practices for Mercury containing wastes (including dental amalgam), and adopting measures in order to reduce releases of Mercury and meet future obligations under the Minamata Convention.

The project management team will be based at the Ministry of Health, Occupational & Environmental Health Unit (OEHU). The Project assistant will be supervised directly by the National Project Coordinator and will report to him.

Under the direct supervision of head of the National Project Coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Prepare all payment requests, financial record-keeping and preparation of financial reports required in line with National Implementation financial rules and procedures;
• Support preparation of background information for project implementation, work plans and budget;
• Keep records and files of financial and technical documentation and reports;
• Support the purchase of goods and services and following up on issuance of contracts and payments as well maintaining and developing an updated asset register;
• Liaise on the conduct of project audit and ensure access by auditors to project documentation, personnel, and institutions involved in the project;
• Assist in the organization of events (meetings, seminars, workshops, trainings, missions, etc.) and ensure appropriate logistical arrangements;
• Prepare internal and external travel arrangements for project personnel;
• Take record of project meetings and draft correspondence as required;
• Perform other duties per the requirements of the project.

Ethics and values:

• Taking actions that are congruent with what he/she says;
• Reliably delivering on promises and honoring commitments made;
• Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN/UNDP in actions and decisions;
• Demonstrating an appreciation of differences in values and learning from cultural diversity;
• Moves from demonstrating sensitivity to encouraging full participation, to leveraging diversity.

 Knowledge sharing/continuous learning:

• Taking responsibility for self-learning and development;
• Actively seeking learning and career development opportunities;
• Promoting organizational learning and knowledge management;
• Building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Functional Competencies:

Communicating information and ideas:

• Communicating clearly and effectively;
• Seeking to understand the ideas of others;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication;
• Creating an environment for open communication;
• Inspiring and persuading others.

Organizational awareness:

• Understanding, building and using formal/ informal systems and contacts in a complex organizational and global environment to obtain results;
• Moves from an ability to use organizational services to assist others, to applying corporate thinking and applying judgment, to building support and finally, demonstrating political acumen.

Self-management and emotional intelligence:

• Managing moods, responding effectively to stress, situations of ambiguity or crisis;
• Managing relationships with others to achieve mutual benefits;
• Building an emotionally intelligent organization.

 Working in teams:

• Working effectively with colleagues in ways that allow the achievement of shared objectives;
• Building teams both within existing organizational structures and outside of them;
• Creating team spirit and unity of purpose across the business unit.

Education:

• University degree in Social Sciences, Business or Public Administration or related.

Experience:

• 6 years of proven professional experience in financial resources management, budget management or administrative support functions. Demonstrated track record of project administrative and financial management.

Language:

• Fluent in English Language.