Technical Advisor at the British High Commission (BHC) Nigeria

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Technical Advisor - Chemical Events, G7

Location: Abuja
Job Category: Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Job Subcategory: Department of Health and Social Care
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Type of Post: British High Commission
Grade: Grade 7 (G7)
Working hours per week: 35
Duration of Post: 24 months
Start Date: 1 March 2023

Main Purpose of Job

• The International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project (IHR_SP) is a UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funded project implemented by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which works in 5 countries, one of which is Nigeria. It also works regionally across Africa, Eastern Mediterranean and more recently South-east Asia.
• A key aim of the IHR Strengthening Project is to support recipient countries and regions to develop/enhance their IHR Core Capacities including the capacities required for Chemical Events .
• Working with the UKHSA IHR S_P Country Lead/Senior Health Advisor; UK-based Chemical team of UKHSA’s Centre for Radiation Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (RCE); and the wider IHR_SP team, the post holder will play a crucial role in actioning agreed Chemical Events prioritised activities. They will work closely with the lead organisation and other stakeholder organisations for Chemical Events under the IHR in Nigeria; the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC); Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) as well as other relevant national and international stakeholders and other partners in support of the coordination and delivery of identified outputs.
• The post holder will require experience in undertaking assessments of likely risks associated with chemical hazards and public health, as well as experience of preparedness, surveillance and response activities for the public health management of incidents involving chemicals.
• The post-holder will provide key in-country situational awareness for the UK based RCE team, as well as pro-active and reactive day to day project delivery whilst ensuring the maintenance of key stakeholder relationships and providing in-person representation at relevant meetings, workshops, or ad-hoc events.
• Diplomatic skills and cultural awareness are critical, as engaging with a range of stakeholders, such as senior leadership, ministers, senior government officials and other technical, donor or development agency representatives will be critical to the role. We are seeking individuals with both technical knowledge and interpersonal relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSA and UK Civil Service competencies and ways of working.  Key to this is the ability to influence and negotiate to manage key relationships with local and other international stakeholders.
• This post offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience of working in a fast paced and innovative environment and is an ideal chance for someone looking to advance their career in Public Health. The ideal candidate must have a flexible approach to meet the needs of the service, be able to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple workstreams and priorities at the same time.
• This post will be based in Abuja, with potential travel to other parts of Nigeria as required. Occasional international travel (e.g. to other countries in the sub region, or to the UK) may also be required.

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
• 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.
• 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.

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

Required Behaviours:

• Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Salary
USD 4,837.39 monthly.

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment 
Learning and Development Opportunities:

• Participate in all mandatory training as required.
• Candidates will also have access to UKHSA training courses and support for further professional development.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline  10th February, 2023.

Note

• The above is an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role.
• You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be expected by UKHSA.
• These responsibilities may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Additional Information

• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation
• Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.  
• Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
• Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
• The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
• Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.