Environmental Compliance Officer, ZAPIM II

Job Description

The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

Abt Associates is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Vector Control Operations Manager for a US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) funded comprehensive malaria project:  Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria (ZAPIM II). The 5-year project is working to support and strengthen the capacity of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) at the national, provincial, district, and community levels, in the areas of case management and malaria in pregnancy, LLIN distribution, IRS, environmental compliance, social and behavioral change communication, surveillance/monitoring evaluation, and research.

Under the supervision of the Vector Control Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing project environmental compliance with United States Government (USG) and local environmental regulations, and program adherence to requirements as laid out in USAID Programmatic and Supplemental Environmental Assessments and amendments, and compliance with the PMI IRS Best Management Practices Manual,, Environmental Compliance for LLINs distributions and management of medical waste from malaria case management activities under ZAPIM II.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide TA to NMCP and other stakeholders on tracking the status of pesticide and geographic spray area decisions and determining the 22 CFR 216 documentation needs for the upcoming IRS campaigns.
• Timely preparation of a country-specific Supplemental Environmental Assessment, amendment, or Letter Report, as appropriate.
• Provide TA to NMCP and other stakeholders on development of waste management plans prior to the initiation of spray activities describing the disposition plan for each waste stream generated during the spray season.
• Support NMCP and stakeholders on determining the registration status of proposed pesticides in the country of use prior to shipment and ensuring that registration needs are satisfied before the arrival of pesticide.
• Provide TA to ensure that quality assurance testing on pesticide samples is performed and demonstrates that the pesticide meets specifications prior to shipment.
• Provide TA to NMCP on performance of smart-phone Pre-Season Environmental Compliance Assessments for each operational site (soak pit and/or storeroom) two months prior to spray.
• Perform vehicle inspections prior to signing lease agreements to be sure that all proposed vehicles meet Best Management Practice (BMP) requirements.
• Tracking and supervision of work required on operational sites prior to commencement of spray. Confirming storage conditions and soak pit construction conform to BMPs.
• Provide or oversee the annual environmental compliance training of spray teams and storekeepers, as well as Abt staff as necessary.
• Provide TA to NMCP on Performing a Pre-Season Environmental Compliance Green Light Inspection for each operational site 1-2 weeks prior to spray.
• Provide TA to NMCP on continual supervision of spray operations and completion of BMP checklists throughout the spray season.
• Provide technical support and participate in oversight of the closure of seasonal operational sites at the end of the spray season and documenting proper storage of equipment and leftover pesticides.
• Support NMCP and participate in oversight of waste management activities (i.e., incineration of sachets and masks, recycling of other wastes where possible, thorough washing of disposable items) to ensure proper waste management.
• Contribute during preparation of the environmental compliance portion of the End of Spray report, including a description of the important points noted throughout the campaign, and a consolidation of the information gathered from supervisory inspections.
• Participate during identification of needs for next year’s spray campaign.
• Provide TA to MOHCC/NMCP and other stakeholders on using data from the smart phone data collection system to optimize operational site selection and optimization.
• Contribute during development of a database or system of spreadsheets to consolidate all necessary and useful information pertaining to environmental compliance.
• Serve as technical resource person to NMCP on leading and coordinating environmental compliance efforts for all spray activities, including the implementation and oversight of procedures for:
• Quality and safety of insecticide procurements;
• Procedures for distribution, storage, and handling of insecticides; and
• Procedures for disposal of insecticide, waste products, and packaging material in accordance with national and international standards.
• Train and provide technical assistance to LLINs and IRS implementation teams and counterparts.
• Liaise with project counterparts from the Ministry of Health, and other regulatory and governmental authorities.
• Frequent travel to field sites to monitor IRS operations and implementation.
• Provide support to the LLINs Specialist in LLINs distribution activities including training and supervision
• Guide and monitor waste management for waste generated from LLINs distribution and malaria case management at health facilities and community level.

What We Value

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, or other relevant field.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional work experience, including significant experience in environmental health and insecticide use and management.
• Two years of successful training and coaching experience in a field environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of direction and supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work both as a member of a team and as a team leader, with the ability to accept the inputs of other team members.
• Experience working on environmental compliance in IRS implementation and LLINs distribution
• Strong management and planning skills for project tasks and budgets.
• Demonstrates leadership and teamwork and produces high quality work in a timely, cost effective manner and has excellent writing skills.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal communication and computer skills.
• Experience with USAID and donor projects is highly desirable.
• English language proficiency.