Technical Advisor – Chemical Events G7 at British High Commission

Roles and responsibilities:

• Coordinate the Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (RCE) input to bi-lateral and multi-lateral activities as appropriate at Nigerian country level
• Maintain key stakeholder relationships  with junior and senior members of NCDC, MoH and staff from other organisations
• Provide in-person representation for relevant meetings, workshops, or ad-hoc events
• Provide technical input to the design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of activities to strengthen chemical preparedness, surveillance, response and recovery capability in Nigeria, this may include, but is not limited to: 
• Supporting the establishment and effective functioning of the National Committee on Chemical Surveillance and Emergency System (NCCSES) and other relevant technical working groups
• Supporting the assessment of chemical laboratory capacity in Nigeria
• Supporting the development, testing, and validation of chemicals management policies, plans, and SOPs
• Supporting the establishment of poisons information service/centres (as indicated)
• Other tasks that contribute to IHR strengthening of Chemical Events core capacities in line with the Nigeria National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and other relevant indicators including the WHO Benchmarking and State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting (SPAR)Tools
• To manage small projects and aspects of larger projects in a particular defined area, and to work within a project team under the guidance of more senior staff. This includes managing own time, other relevant resources, and liaising with stakeholders and other members of staff working on the project to ensure the timely and successful completion of work.
• To be able to receive, assimilate and analyse technical and scientific information relating to chemicals
• To prepare methodology documents, project reports and papers and sections of complex reports, including incorporating material prepared by others
• Maintain key in-country situational awareness and keep UK based RCE colleagues informed of relevant activity and opportunities

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual personal development plan.
• Attending relevant internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Degree qualification in a relevant science subject  in a chemical, environmental or public health field
• Familiarity with public health and environmental issues
• Demonstrable experience in chemical related public health risk assessment
• Ability to work across a wide range of stakeholders at senior level with strong relationship building, influencing, negotiating & interpersonal skills, including on operational issues as well as broader public health and global health security issues
• Familiarity with global aspects of chemical safety and the sound management of chemicals
• Demonstrable experience of good stakeholder management and working with government departments and agencies
• Knowledge of, and a keen interest in the health sector and cultural context in Nigeria
• Experience of delivering presentations, training and interactive workshops
• Understanding of and demonstrable experience of applying monitoring and evaluation principles to project delivery
• Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture
• Demonstrable commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD)
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills on complex matters, often requiring persuasion and influence.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and recommend appropriate actions.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in MS Office applications and other software relevant to the role
• A demonstrable commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Qualification or equivalent experience in the field of environmental public health or related disciplines
• Previous experience in similar role in public sector or with bilateral/multilateral organisations.
• Understanding of UKHSA