Salary Min: $7,583,118.00, Max: $9,013,944.00 per annum
JOB PURPOSE
To develop and execute policies and programmes designed to promote a high level of environmental health in the country. Provide direction and management of the environmental health programmes. Provide technical advice to the Honourable Minister of Health, Permanent Secretary, Chief Medical Officer, Director Health Promotion and Protection, Regional Health Authorities, Local Boards of Health and other stakeholders on environmental public health matters.
KEY OUTPUT
- Policy Recommendations
- Technical Advice
- Operational Plan and Budget
- A Strategic Environmental Public Health Plan
- Environmental Health Legislation
- Norms and Standards
- Models to promote intersectoral collaboration
Key responsibility areas INCLUDES:
- Provides leadership in developing short and long term strategic objectives for environmental health in Jamaica
- Evaluates the state of the Jamaican environment and advises the Permanent Secretary and Chief Medical Officer through the Director, Health Promotion and Protection of policies and programmes to achieve national environmental objectives.
- Prepares and manages the operational plan and budget for the Environmental Health Section
- Provides technical advice to the political and administrative directorate, Regional Health Authorities, Local Boards of Health and other stakeholders on all matters relating to environmental health
- Develops the national compliance and enforcement policies to ensure compliance with the public health legislation
- Develops and implements an environmental health information system
- Promotes co-ordination and collaboration between regional and national Agencies/Organization and NGOs
- Prepares and submits performance and other reports within agreed timeframes
- Participates in Quarterly and Annual Performance Review, to assess the achievements of the Technical Services Division
- Ensures timely submission of all documents required
- Represents the Ministry at local, regional and international conferences relating to environmental health.
- Prepares and presents position papers, as required.
- Collaborates with the Environmental Health Specialists in the development of a National Environmental Health Plan, incorporating Water and Waste Management, Pollution Control, Vector Control, Part Health, Food Safety, Veterinary Public Health, Occupational Health
- Interprets regional and international agreements and establishes a framework for incorporating them into the National Environmental Health Plan
- Collaborates with the Legal Officer in the drafting and/or updating of laws and regulations relating to various aspects of environmental and public health
- In collaboration with the Standards and Regulations Section, develops norms and standards for the protection of human health and health of the environment with regards to water quality, domestic emission, noise, solid waste and industrial installations
- Prepares scientific and technical documents necessary to institute legal proceedings under the Public Health Act
- Advises the Chief Medical Officer through the Director, Health Promotion and Protection, on the impact of development projects on the environment and public health
- Reviews complaints from the public relating to pollution and other environmental conditions which threaten human health, economic health, natural resources or infringe on the rights of people
- Collaborates with other divisions/agencies of the Ministry, government and non-government agencies in planning to address the national public health requirements
- Establishes mechanisms to monitor regional plans and programmes for compliance with laws, regulations, policies, norms and standards, as well as the achievement of national and regional goals.
- Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, conducts performance appraisals and recommends performance improvements initiatives, where necessary
- Ensures that staff assignments and performance measures are clearly defined and communicated to staff
- Provides effective leadership and guidance to direct reports through coaching, mentoring and training, providing assistance and support, as needed
- Participates in recruitment of staff for the Branch
- Ensures that staff is aware of and adhere to the policies, procedures and regulations of the Ministry of Health and multilateral lending agencies, as applicable
- Ensures that the welfare and development needs of staff in the section are identified and addressed.
- Keeps abreast of environmental health trends, technological advances and other innovations, which can be utilized in the development of programmes for improving the status of environmental health islandwide.
- Performs other related functions as assigned by the Director, Health Promotion
Minimum Required Education and Experience
- Bachelors degree in Public Health or Sanitary/Environmental Engineering
- Masters degree in Public Health or equivalent – plus
- At least eight (8) years relevant and progressive experience
Applications with résumés are to be submitted no later than Friday, March 24, 2023 to:
Director
Human Resource Management & Development
Ministry of Health & Wellness
Kingston 10
The Ministry of Health thanks all applicants for their interest; however, please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.