Specialist – Sanitation Workers’ Occupational Health, Tamil Nadu Urban Sanitation Support Programme (TNUSSP) (Job Vacancy)

About the Tamil Nadu Urban Sanitation Support Programme (TNUSSP) The TNUSSP was launched in November 2015, as the Techncial Support Unit (TSU) for the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) to make improvements in fecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) along the full cycle of sanitation (FCS) across Tamil Nadu. A consortium of organisations, the programme is led by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) to make clean water and sanitation accessible. For more information on TNUSSP, please see https://tnussp.co.in/ Job Description The key deliverables of this position include: • Rapid assessment of various components of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at the ULB level, along with subsequent policy (both state and central level); • Based on the identified gaps, development of an OHS programme outline that will encompass: • – Health and safety training; • – Health surveillance with protocols; • – Workplace safety and ergonomics; • – Mental health support; • – Legal protection; • – Regular monitoring and evaluation; • Supporting GoTN in institutionalising the OHS programme. This is a contractual project-based engagement. Activities and Tasks Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, the following: Situation Analysis (Rapid Assessment for all types of sanitation workers) • Conducting a detailed stakeholder mapping involving key government and non – government actors in Tamil Nadu and outside who can play a major role in development and occupational health protocols for sanitation workers; • Liaising with key Government departments and urban local bodies, including but not limited to Government Certificate of Competency (GCC), Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department (MAWS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), Women and Child Development (WCD), Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH), Regional Labor Institute (RLI) at state and ULB level to create an enabling environment; • Developing a detailed archive of supportive policies, government orders and programmes, both in India and other countries, that have bearing with the occupational health protocols of sanitation workers; • Conducting Rapid Assessment on occupational safety and health for all types of sanitation workers in Tamil Nadu; • Conducting a state level consultative workshop on sanitation workers’ occupational health; Framing of OHS Programme • In coordination with various government and non – government actors, creation of a task force consisting of subject experts to support development of the occupational health protocols; • Coordinating with the task force to facilitate development of the protocols; • Developing an operational pathway to institutionalise occupational health protocol through review by government and non-government actors; • Coordinating with the state department and private players to explore possibilities of public-private partnerships for sanitation workers’ health check-up and referral; Institutionalization of OHS Policy in TN and handholding support to selected ULBs • Successfully incorporating occupational health protocols of sanitation workers within the Government of Tamil Nadu through policy advocacy; • Providing handholding support to the state deptartments and the ULBs to ensure compliance with the state policy for occupational health protocols of sanitation workers; • Supporting selected ULBs to successfully conduct sanitation workers’ health camps in a routine manner; • Collaborating with key state government departments to extend health insurance coverage for all types of sanitation workers; • Establishing advocacy with relevant government departments to extend vaccination, Public Distribution System (PDS) and Maternal and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) support to sanitation workers. Structure and Reporting The specialist will be an External Consultant coordinating with the Team Leader – TNUSSP, or with any other person designated by the Team Leader, and will be required to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of internal teams and external individuals/ organisations, and students. Person Specification The ideal candidate should have: • A post-graduate education in OHS / EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) / Public Health or equivalent; • 8-10 years of relevant experience with a demonstrable track record of providing support for public health, occupational health, and public-private partnerships; • Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams; • Good people management skills, and significant competency in project management and IT skills. Candidates with prior experience of working with the government will be preferred. This is a contractual project-based engagement. This offer is on an exclusive basis, which implies that other professional assignments (whether compensated or not) that bear a potential conflict of interest with the IIHS cannot be undertaken. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Location This position is based in Chennai and may entail travel to other locations in Tamil Nadu. Review and Assessment The role and performance of the incumbent shall be subject to normal review and assessment systems at IIHS. Diversity Policy IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply for positions. Contact Please write to us at hr@iihs.co.in if you need any clarifications while filling the online application form.