Sustainable IPC Coordinator

About Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe

HCWH Europe is a non-profit organisation that works to transform healthcare worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. HCWH has offices in Europe, the US, and Asia as well as a global team that works across all regions. HCWH works closely with health professionals, hospitals, healthcare systems, NGOs, local government, ministries of health and international organisations. HCWH Europe is active in 26 countries of the WHO Euro region and has a growing number of members. The HCWH Europe office is located in Brussels, Belgium. For more information, visit: www.noharm-europe.org

Position overview

We are seeking a motivated and highly competent Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) professional to join our team in Brussels as Sustainable IPC Coordinator. This role will support the circular healthcare team by providing expert assistance in developing international projects focused on improving healthcare sustainability in Europe, and securing clinician buy-in. A key focus of the role will be to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver a ground-breaking project which aims to develop a new ‘eco-maternity’ model, supporting its implementation with partners in three project countries.

Specific areas for IPC support include:

● Linen management systems (reusable textiles)

● Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation

● Surgical, neonatal, and maternity improvement

● Healthcare worker training and education

The ideal candidate will be expected to utilise the hierarchy of controls and waste hierarchy to support alternative greener methods of healthcare delivery, and will bring experience in the implementation of significant IPC programmes and projects (hospital-wide or above). The post-holder will ensure that proposed alternative processes and procedures comply with prevailing regulations and IPC principles and best practices. In addition to exceptional communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills, candidates will be able to demonstrate the ability to work conceptually and from a remote location, and to consider key concepts of change management within IPC. Experience synthesising evidence for guidelines or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) would be a distinct advantage. The candidate must be a self-starter and an effective team member who is able to organise and prioritise a diverse workload.

Key responsibilities

1. Provide expert advice on key related areas of IPC for HCWH Europe projects such as linen management, sterilisation and the built environment.

2. Coordinate a two-year project related to circular plastic-free healthcare textiles in cooperation with pilot hospitals and our Global Team.

3. Contribute to project design and implementation, providing key advice and information on opportunities to improve the sustainability of IPC structures, guidelines, activities, etc., within healthcare settings.

4. Support the development of educational materials for healthcare professionals in areas that relate to sustainable healthcare, considering IPC and the prevention of AMR.

Required qualifications and experience

The ideal candidate:

● Will be a healthcare professional, educated to master degree level in a healthcare discipline (healthcare management, public health, IPC) or a healthcare professional with significant experience as an IPC specialist and holding a specialist IPC Qualification.

● Minimum of five years experience in the field of IPC, including managing IPC projects and programmes in healthcare settings.

● Experience in quality improvement of relevant healthcare services such as maternity units, surgical departments, decontamination, sterilisation and laundry services.

● Experience with concepts of sustainable healthcare or strong motivation to develop this knowledge. Desired knowledge

● Knowledge of health system strengthening, monitoring & evaluation, capacity building, project management cycles, or other relevant knowledge for healthcare development.

● Experience working with regional, national, or international projects.

● Experience creating and leading training programmes. ● Strong ability to support remote implementation.

● Ability to adapt evidence for practice, such as evidence synthesis, SOP creation, or involvement in guideline development.

● Knowledge of core national and/or international guidelines such as the WHO Guidelines on core components of infection prevention and control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level. Desired skills and abilities

● Ability to think strategically and creatively and work successfully autonomously and within a multidisciplinary team.

● Proactive, highly organised, and results-focused, able to manage different demands independently.

● Solid communication, advocacy, and networking skills.

● Working knowledge of standard office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

● Strong communicator with excellent proficiency in written and spoken English. Working knowledge of another European language, especially French, would be an advantage.