ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

Partners in Health (PIH) is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH has programs in Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kazakhstan and Boston.

PIH began working in Malawi in 2007, where today we support the Ministry of Health (MOH). Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU) has its headquarters in Neno District with operations across the country.

We therefore seek to recruit suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the following positions;

POSITION SUMMARY

The Public Environmental Health Officer supports the implementation of public and environmental health programs at community and facility level in Neno District. The role focuses on environmental health, disease prevention, sanitation and hygiene promotion, community mobilization, and surveillance activities, working closely with Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs), community structures, and district leadership.

The Officer contributes to delivery of the National Community Health Framework (NCHF) and supports government and PIH/APZU initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes through preventive and promotive public health interventions.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Public & Environmental Health Service Delivery

• Supports implementation of public and environmental health activities in accordance with national policies and district plans.
• Supports prevention, preparedness, and response to communicable diseases through community-based surveillance and outbreak interventions.
• Promotes healthy environmental practices at household, school, and community levels.
• Strengthens and supports existing community structures, including Community Health Action Groups (CHAGs), to effectively participate in health outreach, disease prevention, and environmental health promotion.
• Advocates for climate change adaptation and sound environmental management practices, including pollution control, environmental sanitation, waste management, and protection of water sources.
• Promotes community awareness of the health impacts of climate change and environmentally related risks and support locally driven mitigation and resilience initiatives.
• Promotes and supports volunteerism for health by engaging community volunteers, local leaders, and organized groups in public and environmental health interventions.

Community Health & HSA Support

• Works closely with the Disease Control and Surveillance Assistants/Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in implementing community health environmental health activities.
• Supports implementation of TRACE activities and other community-based health promotion initiatives.
• Assists in organizing community health education sessions, SHAR meetings, mass campaigns, and dialogue sessions.
• Supports community mobilization for immunization, sanitation campaigns, and health outreach activities.
• Supports community mobilization efforts to address health problems within limited resource settings.

Data Collection, Reporting & Quality Improvement

• Collects, compiles, and submits routine environmental and public health data accurately and on time.
• Participates in assessments, surveys, and monitoring activities under the National Community Health Framework.
• Supports implementation of Community Health Information Systems (CHIS) at community level.
• Participates in review meetings to reflect on program performance and identify improvement actions.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination & Collaboration

• Works closely with the District Environmental Health Office, District Promotion Health Officer, community health teams, and facility staff.
• Coordinates with other PIH/APZU programs (TB/HIV, MCH, Nutrition, NCDs, Mental Health) to ensure integrated service delivery.
• Supports collaboration with local leaders, community structures, and relevant government stakeholders.
• Represents environmental health and community health activities in relevant district meetings when assigned.

Professional Conduct & Other Duties

• Maintains professionalism, ethical conduct, and respect for community dignity.
• Ensures compliance with PIH/APZU and Ministry of Health policies and guidelines.
• Perform other public and environmental health duties as assigned by supervisors.

EXPECTED COMPETENCIES, ATTRIBUTES, AND BEHAVIORS

Core Competencies

• Knowledge of public and environmental health principles and practices
• Strong community engagement and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in rural and resource-limited settings
• Teamwork and collaboration skills
• Basic data collection and reporting skills

Behavioral Attributes

• Integrity, accountability, and service-oriented attitude
• Flexibility to respond to emerging health issues and outbreaks

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health or related field.
• At least 2-4 years’ experience working in public or environmental health, preferably at community level
• Experience working with HAs and community health structures is an added advantage
• Familiarity with Malawi Ministry of Health environmental and community health policies and guidelines

BENEFITS AND REMUNERATION

An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidates commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The ideal candidate must be willing to be based in a rural district and travel regularly to facilities and communities.

• Supports implementation of public and environmental health activities in accordance with national policies and district plans.
• Supports prevention, preparedness, and response to communicable diseases through community-based surveillance and outbreak interventions.
• Promotes healthy environmental practices at household, school, and community levels.
• Strengthens and supports existing community structures, including Community Health Action Groups (CHAGs), to effectively participate in health outreach, disease prevention, and environmental health promotion.
• Advocates for climate change adaptation and sound environmental management practices, including pollution control, environmental sanitation, waste management, and protection of water sources.
• Promotes community awareness of the health impacts of climate change and environmentally related risks and support locally driven mitigation and resilience initiatives.
• Promotes and supports volunteerism for health by engaging community volunteers, local leaders, and organized groups in public and environmental health interventions.
• Works closely with the Disease Control and Surveillance Assistants/Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in implementing community health environmental health activities.
• Supports implementation of TRACE activities and other community-based health promotion initiatives.
• Assists in organizing community health education sessions, SHAR meetings, mass campaigns, and dialogue sessions.
• Supports community mobilization for immunization, sanitation campaigns, and health outreach activities.
• Supports community mobilization efforts to address health problems within limited resource settings.
• Collects, compiles, and submits routine environmental and public health data accurately and on time.
• Participates in assessments, surveys, and monitoring activities under the National Community Health Framework.
• Supports implementation of Community Health Information Systems (CHIS) at community level.
• Participates in review meetings to reflect on program performance and identify improvement actions.
• Works closely with the District Environmental Health Office, District Promotion Health Officer, community health teams, and facility staff.
• Coordinates with other PIH/APZU programs (TB/HIV, MCH, Nutrition, NCDs, Mental Health) to ensure integrated service delivery.
• Supports collaboration with local leaders, community structures, and relevant government stakeholders.
• Represents environmental health and community health activities in relevant district meetings when assigned.
• Maintains professionalism, ethical conduct, and respect for community dignity.
• Ensures compliance with PIH/APZU and Ministry of Health policies and guidelines.
• Perform other public and environmental health duties as assigned by supervisors.

• Knowledge of public and environmental health principles and practices
• Strong community engagement and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in rural and resource-limited settings
• Teamwork and collaboration skills
• Basic data collection and reporting skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health or related field.
• At least 2-4 years’ experience working in public or environmental health, preferably at community level
• Experience working with HAs and community health structures is an added advantage
• Familiarity with Malawi Ministry of Health environmental and community health policies and guidelines