Location:  This job is open to all candidates globally (potential office co-location in Brussels, Reston VA (US), and Manila.) Must overlap some working hours with US-ET and Central Europe Time (CET). Candidate must be willing and able to travel extensively (at least 20%). 

Reports To:  Global Chief Program Officer

Supervises:  Associate Director International Sustainability program, International Science and Policy Coordinator (health care waste technical expert), health care waste projects management staff.

Posting Date:  May 2, 2022

Closing Date:  Extended until June 16, 2022. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit an application as early as possible, as the recruitment panel will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis.

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is looking for an International Sustainability Director (ISD) who will play a pivotal role in the heart of HCWH’s global programs portfolio. The ISD will lead the strategic evolution of an integrated global program on sustainable procurement, health care waste management and other elements of sustainable health care. We are looking for a seasoned leader, who feels comfortable leading an international team while playing a thought leadership role among peers at the global level. This is a leadership role that will play a pivotal role at a very exciting organizational moment.

Organizational Overview

Health Care Without Harm seeks to transform health care worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint and becomes a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) works with hospitals, health systems, health professionals, NGOs, ministries of health, and United Nations organizations to achieve its mission. It has offices in the European Union, United States, and Southeast Asia, a dynamic program in Latin America and partner organizations in Australia, Brazil, China, India, Nepal and South Africa. Its Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network has over 1,500 members in 72 countries who represent the interests of more than 43,000 hospitals and health centers.

Position Description

The International Sustainability Director will lead and oversee the strategic development of an integrated global program focused on sustainable procurement, circularity and sustainable health care waste management that will drive market transformation to decarbonize and detoxify the global health care supply chain and support hospitals and health systems to reduce their environmental footprint.  They will work in close collaboration with the leadership of the global climate program, as well as with other global directors, HCWH offices and partners around the world to assure alignment and synergy. They will bring and apply strong international program management skills, together with an equally strong understanding of international dynamics related to sustainable development, health equity and justice to the job, while providing thought leadership on the issues and representing HCWH with key allies and global institutions.

Primary Objectives

Oversee and lead the strategic evolution of an integrated global program on sustainable procurement, health care waste management and other elements of sustainable and/or circular health care. Responsible for program development, planning, management, budgeting and implementation.  Requires close collaboration with all HCWH offices, partner organizations and other leaders in the organization’s Global Secretariat, as well as collaboration with partners in UN agencies and major health systems around the world.  

Provide thought leadership on all programmatic aspects related to environmentally sustainable and/or circular health care, while representing the organization in relationships with key allies and global institutions.

1. Sustainable Procurement: Oversee HCWH’s global sustainable procurement program.

• Guide the development and oversee the implementation of phase two of HCWH’s partnership with UNDP, Sustainable Health in Procurement Program (SHiPP).  Support resource mobilization. Assure its integration into HCWH’s multiple program areas.  Collaborate with UNDP counterparts at a leadership level. Hire and supervise the HCWH SHiPP Director responsible for implementation of Phase II. 
• Assure programmatic and financial integrity of this area of work, as well as on time reporting, monitoring and evaluation, working with program director, project managers, partner organizations and HCWH finance team.
• Assure the development of a strong climate component of the procurement work, in collaboration with the global climate program.
• Support integration sustainable procurement with other HCWH program areas, across the HCWH Global Network of offices and partners, as well as its implementation through Global Green and Healthy Hospitals.

2. Waste: Oversee HCWH’s global sustainable health care waste management program

• Facilitate the development and implementation of a comprehensive global strategy on sustainable health care waste management.
• Supervise the International Science and Policy Coordinator (health care waste technical expert) and project management staff to assure smooth implementation of the strategy and organizational projects.
• Lead in identifying, establishing and assuring the systematic implementation of collaborative projects with UN and other international agencies. 
• Support the development of an integrated approach across various waste projects and initiatives being implemented by regional offices and partners.
• Support integration of the health care waste work with other HCWH program areas, as well as its implementation through HCWH’s Global Green and Healthy Hospitals network.
• Assure programmatic and financial integrity of all projects in this area.

3. Explore and build elements into a more comprehensive program on sustainable or circular health care

• In collaboration with international staff, HCWH partners and offices, assess programmatic and resource mobilization opportunities to build a more comprehensive sustainability or circular health care program, anchored in sustainable procurement and waste management that could potentially include components on food systems, pharmaceuticals, AMR, chemicals, buildings and plastics.
• Collaborate closely with the leadership of HCWH Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network to support implementation of sustainable or circular health policies and practices in member hospitals, health systems and health organizations. 

4. Leadership and Management

• Serve as spokesperson and communicator for HCWH, representing HCWH in the media, with key allies and global institutions.
• Participate in the Global Program Management Team.
• Play an active leadership role to foster the integration of initiatives across different program areas, while supporting planning and reporting of regrants to partners.
• Work with HCWH development staff and other leadership in regional offices to mobilize resources for sustainable procurement, health care waste management, other program areas, and the HCWH Global Network more broadly, while assuring timely and robust reporting.
• Hold the broader organizational vision, supporting organizational goals.
• Act as a budget holder for all programs under Sustainable Health Care.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be/have:

• Minimum Experience: 10 years of experience working on environment, sustainable development, public health and/or healthcare.  Strong program management skills required.
• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree. Combined experience/education as a substitute for minimum education. 
• Preferred Experience: Multiple languages and cross cultural competencies; international environment/development/health experience, working on sustainability issues and in the Global South.
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Familiarity with advocacy organizations, member organizations, sustainability, health.
• Preferred Field of Expertise: Familiarity with hospitals and health systems and experience working in a virtual organization; experience working collaboratively with UN and other international agencies.

Job-Specific Competencies

• Ability to think strategically and creatively while organizing time efficiently.
• Ability to remain attentive to details and identify resources for projects while maintaining deadlines.
• Proven ability to manage large international projects and programs, budgets and staff.
• Ability to engage with and mobilize resources from international donors.
• Strong written and verbal English language skills.
• Ability to work independently in a virtual environment. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work successfully within and lead a diverse team across multiple geographies, cultures and time zones.
• Ability to coach and develop staff in a virtual environment and across cultures.
• Ability to travel internationally on a regular basis.
• Able to quickly adapt with minimal coaching to new situations, processes; ability to adapt style to meet the needs of individuals and/or the organization.
• Understanding of the health care and environmental sectors.

What’s In It For You?

• Work for an organization where the mission is inspiring and your colleagues care deeply for the mission and the network of people carrying out that mission.
• Play a key role in helping drive growth, influence impact, and advance efforts to create a more sustainable health care sector and community.
• Be part of an inspirational global network.
• Fantastic benefits!

To Apply or Inquire

Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth are committed to seeking and sustaining culturally and ethnically diverse organizations, and to the principles that promote inclusive practices. We are dedicated to building a diverse staff with expertise and interest in serving the mission of the organizations in respectful ways. HCWH is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply, upload a cover letter and resume via this link. Questions can be addressed to jobs@hcwh.org. Only competitive candidates will be invited to participate further in the recruitment process. Position has been extended until June 16, 2022. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit an application as early as possible, as the recruitment panel will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis.