Environmental Health specialist

Within MSF Operational Centre Brussels, Environmental Health covers water, sanitation and hygiene, while also addressing wider environmental factors that can affect public health. This includes safe water, sanitation, waste management, infection prevention, hazardous materials, and climate-related health risks. 

As an Environmental Health Specialist, you support the medical team in identifying practices, habits, sources, and transmission routes linked to Environmental Health that may affect public health. 
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Implement Environmental Health (EH) activities in collaboration with the medical and logistical teams 
  • Provide technical support to the teams and ensure the planning and implementation of the Environmental Health components and integrated activities 
  • Support and promote safe and hygienic environments in medical facilities 
  • Define and support the implementation of EH strategies for immediate emergency response, including water supply, sanitation and vector control activities for displaced populations or contributions to communicable disease outbreak control 
  • Promote and organise preventive health activities linked to water, hygiene and sanitation in MSF programmes, both in emergencies and longer-term interventions 
  • Contribute to MSF commitments on climate, environment and health, including operational adaptation and footprint reduction 

PROFILE

  • Higher vocational education or engineering degree in water, hygiene and sanitation, preferably in public health engineering or Environmental Health; other diplomas may be considered if supported by relevant professional experience 
  • Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience 
  • Experience in team management, training and supervision 
  • Experience in humanitarian settings or previous experience with an NGO is an asset 

LANGUAGES 

  • Proficiency in English and French, both spoken and written is mandatory  
  • Good knowledge Arabic, Portuguese or Spanish is an asset 

COMPETENCIES 

  • Collaborate and communicate clearly; build trust with colleagues   

  • Lead, support, guide, and motivate teams with confidence and empathy 

  • Take initiative, remain solution-oriented, and act proactively 

  • Translate strategic vision and operational realities into clear priorities and actions 

  • Work independently, plan effectively, and organise your and your team’s work properly 

  • Remain resilient and manage stress in challenging situations 

  • Practise cross-cultural awareness and work effectively with diverse teams 

  • Show flexibility by adjusting plans, locations and ways of working in coordination with others when circumstances and priorities change 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS   

  • Read the MSF principles and commitments outlined here  

  • Availability to work in complex environments and to leave on an assignment without partner/family  

  • A health status compatible with the nature of our activities and operational contexts and compliance with all vaccinations for MSF project assignments