JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Healthcare Waste Management Consultant
Classification: Six(6) Months Short Term Consultancy role with possibility of an Extension
Locations: Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Kebbi – Nigeria
Background: The purpose of the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program–Procurement and Supply Management single award IDIQ contract is to ensure uninterrupted supplies of health commodities to prevent suffering, save lives, and create a brighter future for families around the world. The IDIQ has four task orders that directly support the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), USAID’s family planning and reproductive health program and USAID’s Maternal Newborn and Child Health Program. The Global Health Supply Chain Program-Procurement and Supply Management project (USAID GHSC-PSM) provides health commodity procurement services and systems strengthening technical assistance that address all elements of a comprehensive supply chain. All four task orders are implemented in Nigeria.
Effective waste management is critical for safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainability. In Nigeria, the current waste management system faces several challenges, particularly with the handling of hazardous medical waste. To address these issues, an Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS) is to be established in three states: Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Kebbi, using medical waste management as a starting point.
This project aims to develop a comprehensive framework that improves the collection, treatment, and disposal of medical waste and other waste streams, while encouraging circular economy practices and promoting compliance with national environmental regulations.
Scope of Work
This scope of work outlines the professional services to be provided by a Healthcare Waste Management Consultant. This short-term, billable assignment aims to deliver technical assistance to the governments of the selected states in support of the USAID GHSC-PSM mandate to strengthen healthcare waste management systems.
Objective
The objective of this consultancy is to establish an Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS) in the identified states, beginning with the medical waste sector. The consultant will provide technical expertise, conduct assessments, and develop strategies to ensure the safe handling, treatment, and disposal of medical waste, which will serve as the foundation for scaling up to other types of waste management.
The consultant will conduct a situational assessment of medical waste management systems in selected states to identify critical gaps in infrastructure, policies, and capacity. S/He will develop a comprehensive medical waste management framework, encompassing standardized processes, technology recommendations, and policy guidelines. As part of this work, the consultant will design an integrated waste management system that emphasizes waste reduction, reuse, and recycling principles. Capacity building and training programs will be provided to key stakeholders to ensure effective implementation, supported by a pilot program to test and refine the system. Additionally, a robust monitoring and evaluation framework will be established to track progress and produce regular reports. The consultant will also perform any other duties as assigned by the Director of Warehousing and Distribution or their designee.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
The consultant will be required to:
1.Conduct a Situational Assessment:
- Assess current waste management systems in the selected states, focusing on medical waste.
- Identify gaps in infrastructure, policy, and capacity.
- Map out stakeholders, including healthcare providers, waste management companies, regulatory bodies, and community members.
2. Develop a Medical Waste Management Framework:
- Propose standardized processes for waste segregation, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste.
- Recommend appropriate technologies for handling hazardous medical waste (e.g., incinerators, autoclaves, etc.).
- Propose policy guidelines and regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with international standards and national laws.
3. Design the Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS):
- Develop a comprehensive IWMS that integrates various waste streams (medical, municipal, industrial) into a single management framework.
- Ensure the system incorporates principles of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
- Identify opportunities for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and capacity-building initiatives to enhance sustainability.
4. Capacity Building and Training:
- Conduct training workshops for key stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare facilities, waste collectors, and regulatory bodies.
- Develop training materials and manuals for ongoing capacity building.
5. Pilot Implementation:
- Develop a pilot program for medical waste management in select healthcare facilities in each state.
- Monitor the pilot program, collect data, and provide recommendations for scaling the system to other sectors.
6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
- Establish indicators and frameworks for monitoring the effectiveness of the system.
- Provide regular progress reports and a final evaluation at the conclusion of the project.
- Expected Outputs (but not limited to):
The successful implementation of this project is expected to yield the following outcomes:
- Improved Public Health Infection control systems; Significant reduction in health risks associated with breaking of the infection, transmission links vis a vis improper medical waste disposal.
- Environmental Protection: Decreased environmental pollution and degradation due to the safe disposal of hazardous waste.
- Enhanced Compliance: Improved compliance with national and international standards of infection control and waste management regulations.
- Sustainable Infection, Prevention control and waste Management Model: A scalable and replicable waste management model that can be extended to other waste streams across [Akwa Ibom, Kano and Kebbi States] and beyond.
Deliverables
The consultant shall submit the following deliverables in both hard copy (two copies) and soft copy formats (in MS Word and PowerPoint) to USAID GHSC-PSM upon completion of each respective task:
- Inception Report
- A comprehensive report outlining the proposed work plan, methodology, timelines, and key milestones for the assignment.
- Includes stakeholder engagement strategy and initial observations or insights from preliminary reviews.
- Situational Assessment Report
- A detailed report presenting the findings from the initial analysis of medical waste management systems across the three states (Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Kebbi).
- Highlights gaps in infrastructure, capacity, policies, and technology while identifying key challenges and opportunities.
- Medical Waste Management Framework
- A robust framework document including proposed policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and technology recommendations tailored to address gaps and improve medical waste handling, treatment, and disposal.
- Emphasizes alignment with national regulations and international best practices.
- Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS) Design Document
- A detailed design document integrating medical waste management with other waste streams such as non-hazardous, pharmaceutical, and recyclable waste.
- Incorporates principles of a circular economy, including waste reduction, reuse, and recycling strategies.
- Capacity-Building Plan and Training Materials
- A plan for building the capacity of key stakeholders, including state government officials, healthcare workers, and waste management staff.
- Includes training manuals, presentations, and practical modules tailored to the roles and responsibilities of each target group.
- Roll-out / Execution of IWMS and Capacity Building Plan
- Execution of, and Report on the roll out of IWMS plan incorporated into the select health facilities waste management strategy and activities in the supported State(s).
- Execution of, and Report on trainings / capacity building of healthcare workers carried out across select health facilities
- Pilot Program Report
- A comprehensive report on the outcomes of the pilot implementation, documenting successes, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for scaling up the IWMS.
- Includes data analysis, feedback from stakeholders, and proposed modifications for improvement.
- Final Project Report
- A detailed report summarizing the entire consultancy, including all activities conducted, deliverables achieved, and lessons learned.
- Provides actionable recommendations and a roadmap for future implementation and sustainability of the Integrated Waste Management System.
- Includes annexes with supplementary materials such as workshop agendas, attendance sheets, and technical diagrams.
These deliverables will serve as critical tools to guide the establishment and sustainable implementation of an effective Integrated Waste Management System in the targeted states.
Required Job qualifications and skills:
The consultant should meet the following criteria:
- Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Waste Management, Public Health, or a related field.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in waste management, preferably with a focus on medical or hazardous waste.
- Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing Integrated Waste Management Systems.
- Strong understanding of national and international regulations and standards related to waste management.
- Experience working with government bodies, private sector partners, and community stakeholders.
- Proven ability to conduct training and capacity-building programs.
- Excellent technical written and verbal communication skills, including oral presentation highly desired.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent attitude and work ethics required
- Fluency in English is required
Reporting and Technical Direction:
The consultant will report to the Senior manager, LMD Performance Improvement and Commodities Waste Drive, under the technical direction of the Director, Warehousing and Distribution and will work closely with relevant government agencies, healthcare facilities, and waste management firms. Regular check-ins and progress reports will be required throughout the assignment.
SAII Associates/Chemonics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.
