Job Description

Title: Senior Officer - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

Company Name: Partners in Health and Development (PHD)

Vacancy: 1

Age: At least 22 years

Job Location: Cox`s Bazar (Ukhia)

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:

• At least 3 years

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Nursing, Medical Technology, Public Health, Microbiology, or another relevant health-related discipline from a recognized institution.
• Specialized training or certification in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) will be an advantage.
• Valid professional registration with the relevant national professional authority, where applicable.

• At least 3 years

• Age At least 22 years

Experience – Essential

• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in healthcare, clinical services, IPC, public health, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in Infection Prevention and Control practices within a healthcare setting.
• Experience in healthcare facility IPC monitoring and supportive supervision.
• Experience conducting training, orientation, or on-the-job coaching.
• Experience in healthcare waste management, environmental cleaning, and disinfection.
• Experience in PPE management, hand hygiene, and standard precautions.
• Experience preparing reports and maintaining relevant records.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in a hospital, PHCC, Field Hospital, clinic, or humanitarian health programme.
• Experience working with NGOs, INGOs, or humanitarian organizations.
• Previous experience in the Rohingya Response or other humanitarian settings.
• Experience supporting communicable disease outbreak preparedness and response.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary and multicultural healthcare teams.
• Training or certification in WHO or nationally recognized IPC programmes.
• Experience in healthcare-associated infection prevention and surveillance.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control principles.
• Good understanding of hand hygiene and standard precautions.
• Knowledge of transmission-based precautions.
• Knowledge of appropriate PPE selection and use.
• Understanding of healthcare-associated infection prevention.
• Knowledge of environmental cleaning and disinfection.
• Good understanding of healthcare waste management.
• Knowledge of injection safety and sharps injury prevention.
• Understanding of outbreak preparedness and response.
• Ability to conduct IPC monitoring and supportive supervision.

Leadership & Coordination Skills

• Ability to provide technical guidance and support to healthcare and support staff.
• Ability to conduct training and on-the-job coaching.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify gaps and support practical improvement.
• Ability to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide clear and practical IPC guidance.
• Good training and facilitation skills.
• Good documentation and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Good written and spoken English and Bangla.

Other Competencies

• Strong commitment to patient safety and quality healthcare.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a challenging and fast-paced humanitarian healthcare environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for affected populations.
• Ability to work under pressure during disease outbreaks and emergencies.
• Flexibility and willingness to undertake additional responsibilities based on programme needs.

Job Description: Senior Officer – Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)– PHCC, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar

Duty Station: PHCC, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar

Reports to: Clinical Coordinator

Accountable to: Deputy Project Coordinator

Position Summary

The Senior Officer – Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) will be responsible for supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices at the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) in the Rohingya Response, Cox’s Bazar.

The position holder will provide technical support and day-to-day guidance to healthcare and support staff to ensure compliance with approved IPC standards, national guidelines, organizational policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The Senior Officer – IPC will support the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections, promote safe clinical practices, monitor hand hygiene and standard precautions, support appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning and disinfection, healthcare waste management, and preparedness for disease outbreaks.

The position holder will work closely with the Clinical Coordinator, Medical Officer Lead, Senior Medical Officers, Medical Officers, Senior Staff Nurses, Staff Nurses, Midwife Lead, Midwives, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Medical Warehouse, Nutrition, MHPSS, Community Health, WASH, and other relevant teams to strengthen IPC compliance and ensure a safe healthcare environment for patients, staff, caregivers, and communities.

Key Responsibilities

IPC Programme Implementation & Coordination

• Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of IPC activities across all PHCC service areas.
• Ensure IPC activities are implemented in accordance with approved national guidelines, organizational policies, SOPs, and relevant health sector standards.
• Support the development, updating, and implementation of facility-level IPC plans and procedures.
• Coordinate IPC activities with clinical and non-clinical teams.
• Support the integration of IPC measures into routine healthcare service delivery.
• Identify IPC priorities and support the implementation of appropriate improvement measures.
• Participate in relevant IPC coordination meetings and technical discussions.
• Communicate significant IPC concerns and recommendations to the appropriate supervisor.

IPC Monitoring & Supportive Supervision

• Conduct regular IPC monitoring and supportive supervision across PHCC service areas.
• Monitor compliance with hand hygiene, standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, and other applicable IPC measures.
• Conduct routine IPC observations and identify gaps in clinical and support areas.
• Provide immediate feedback and practical recommendations to staff.
• Support corrective actions to address identified IPC gaps.
• Follow up on agreed action points and monitor progress.
• Maintain IPC monitoring records and checklists.
• Escalate significant or repeated IPC breaches to the appropriate supervisor.

Hand Hygiene Promotion

• Promote appropriate hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and support staff.
• Monitor compliance with recommended hand hygiene practices.
• Ensure hand hygiene facilities and supplies are available at relevant service points.
• Identify barriers affecting hand hygiene compliance.
• Conduct hand hygiene awareness and education activities.
• Support regular monitoring and improvement of hand hygiene practices.
• Coordinate with relevant teams to ensure adequate availability of soap, water, alcohol-based hand rub, and other required supplies.

Standard & Transmission-Based Precautions

• Promote the consistent implementation of standard precautions across all healthcare service areas.
• Support appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Monitor appropriate selection, use, removal, and disposal of PPE.
• Support implementation of transmission-based precautions when clinically indicated.
• Ensure appropriate patient placement and infection control measures for patients with suspected infectious diseases.
• Provide guidance to staff regarding appropriate precautions.
• Monitor compliance and address identified gaps.

Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention

• Support measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
• Identify potential risks for infection transmission within healthcare settings.
• Monitor clinical practices that may contribute to infection risks.
• Promote safe injection practices and aseptic techniques.
• Support appropriate cleaning and disinfection of patient care equipment.
• Support the implementation of appropriate measures for invasive procedures within the scope of PHCC services.
• Identify and report suspected healthcare-associated infection risks or clusters.

Environmental Cleaning & Disinfection

• Monitor environmental cleaning and disinfection practices across the PHCC.
• Support the development and implementation of cleaning schedules and procedures.
• Ensure appropriate cleaning and disinfection of clinical areas, high-touch surfaces, and patient care areas.
• Promote the correct preparation and use of cleaning and disinfectant solutions.
• Monitor the availability and appropriate use of cleaning materials and supplies.
• Provide guidance and orientation to cleaners and support staff.
• Conduct routine inspections of environmental cleanliness.
• Coordinate with relevant teams to address environmental cleaning gaps.

Healthcare Waste Management

• Support appropriate segregation, collection, storage, transportation, and disposal of healthcare waste.
• Monitor the correct use of waste segregation systems.
• Ensure appropriate availability and use of waste bins, sharps containers, and other required materials.
• Promote safe handling and disposal of sharps.
• Monitor healthcare waste storage areas.
• Identify and report unsafe waste management practices.
• Support staff orientation and training on healthcare waste management.
• Coordinate with WASH, cleaners, and relevant teams to improve waste management practices.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management

• Monitor the availability and appropriate use of PPE.
• Support forecasting and planning of IPC-related supplies.
• Coordinate with the Medical Warehouse, Supply Chain, and relevant teams regarding PPE requirements.
• Promote rational and appropriate use of PPE.
• Monitor PPE stock availability and identify potential shortages.
• Ensure staff understand appropriate PPE selection and use based on risk.
• Support training on proper donning and doffing procedures.
• Report critical PPE shortages promptly.

Injection Safety & Sharps Injury Prevention

• Promote safe injection and medication administration practices.
• Ensure appropriate use and disposal of needles and other sharps.
• Monitor the availability and use of sharps containers.
• Promote safe handling of sharps and prevention of needlestick injuries.
• Ensure staff are aware of procedures following sharps injuries or occupational exposure.
• Support appropriate reporting of occupational exposure incidents.
• Identify unsafe injection practices and provide immediate corrective guidance.

Outbreak Preparedness & Response

• Support IPC preparedness for communicable disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
• Participate in outbreak preparedness planning and response activities.
• Support the implementation of enhanced IPC measures during outbreaks.
• Monitor compliance with outbreak-specific IPC procedures.
• Support staff orientation and refresher training during public health emergencies.
• Coordinate with clinical teams, surveillance, laboratory, WASH, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support rapid identification and reporting of IPC-related risks.
• Participate in outbreak investigation and response when assigned.

Staff Training & Capacity Building

• Conduct IPC orientation and refresher training for healthcare and support staff.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring on IPC practices.
• Support training on hand hygiene, PPE, standard precautions, waste management, cleaning and disinfection, and injection safety.
• Identify staff knowledge and practice gaps.
• Develop or support the development of IPC training materials and job aids.
• Facilitate practical demonstrations and competency-based learning sessions.
• Maintain records of IPC training and capacity-building activities.
• Promote continuous learning and improvement.

Clinical & Support Team Coordination

• Work closely with Medical Officers, Nurses, Midwives, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Nutrition, MHPSS, Community Health, WASH, cleaners, and other relevant teams.
• Promote IPC integration across all PHCC services.
• Provide technical support and recommendations to clinical and non-clinical teams.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and facility coordination meetings.
• Communicate IPC concerns and improvement recommendations.
• Support coordinated action to address identified IPC risks and gaps.
• Promote teamwork and shared responsibility for IPC compliance.

IPC Supplies & Resource Management

• Monitor the availability of essential IPC supplies.
• Identify requirements for hand hygiene supplies, PPE, disinfectants, waste management materials, and cleaning equipment.
• Coordinate with Medical Warehouse, Procurement, Supply Chain, and relevant teams regarding IPC commodity requirements.
• Support appropriate forecasting and replenishment of IPC supplies.
• Monitor appropriate storage and use of IPC commodities.
• Report shortages, stock-outs, damaged items, or other supply concerns promptly.
• Promote rational and accountable use of IPC resources.

IPC Surveillance, Data & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of IPC activities and monitoring findings.
• Support the collection and analysis of IPC-related information.
• Maintain IPC monitoring tools, checklists, and reports.
• Monitor trends in IPC compliance and identify areas requiring improvement.
• Support reporting of healthcare-associated infection concerns and IPC incidents.
• Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, and other required IPC reports.
• Ensure reports are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
• Maintain confidentiality of relevant patient and staff information.

Quality Improvement & Patient Safety

• Participate in quality improvement and patient safety activities.
• Identify IPC-related risks and patient safety concerns.
• Support the development and implementation of corrective action plans.
• Monitor progress of IPC improvement initiatives.
• Participate in clinical audits, supportive supervision, and quality reviews.
• Promote a culture of accountability, patient safety, and continuous improvement.
• Support learning from IPC incidents and monitoring findings.
• Ensure recommendations are followed up appropriately.

Occupational Health & Staff Safety

• Support measures to reduce occupational exposure to infectious diseases.
• Promote appropriate use of PPE and safe working practices.
• Support prevention of needlestick injuries and exposure to blood and body fluids.
• Ensure staff are aware of immediate actions following occupational exposure.
• Support appropriate reporting and referral of occupational exposure incidents according to organizational procedures.
• Identify workplace practices that may increase infection risks.
• Promote a safe and healthy working environment.

Infection Prevention During Clinical Procedures

• Monitor compliance with aseptic techniques during relevant clinical procedures.
• Promote appropriate cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment.
• Support safe preparation and handling of clinical equipment.
• Monitor injection safety and other relevant clinical practices.
• Identify unsafe practices and provide immediate technical guidance.
• Support implementation of corrective measures.

Emergency Preparedness & Humanitarian Response

• Maintain readiness to support IPC activities during disease outbreaks, fires, natural disasters, mass casualty incidents, and other humanitarian emergencies.
• Support emergency preparedness planning from an IPC perspective.
• Participate in emergency drills and simulations.
• Support rapid implementation of enhanced IPC measures during emergencies.
• Ensure continuity of essential IPC services and supplies.
• Remain flexible to undertake additional responsibilities based on programme and emergency requirements.

Working Conditions

• The position will be based at a Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) in the Rohingya Response, Cox’s Bazar.
• The position holder will work across different PHCC clinical and non-clinical service areas.
• The role involves regular monitoring, supportive supervision, training, and coordination with healthcare and support staff.
• The position holder may be required to support multiple healthcare service points depending on programme requirements.
• The role involves working in a challenging and fast-paced humanitarian healthcare environment.
• The position holder may be required to support IPC activities during disease outbreaks, public health emergencies, fires, natural disasters, or other humanitarian emergencies.

Additional Job Responsibilities

• The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. The role holder may be required to undertake additional duties reasonably related to their qualifications, skills, and experience, based on programme and operational requirements.

Safeguarding

• The post holder is required to perform all duties in accordance with the organization's safeguarding, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child safeguarding, anti-harassment, code of conduct, and other relevant policies and procedures.

Equal Opportunity

• The organization is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or other status.

Health and Safety

• The post holder is required to carry out all duties in accordance with organizational Health, Safety, Security, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and other relevant policies and procedures.

Bonus and other benefits: 10% of the monthly gross salary. Other Benefits: Office hours, annual leave, increments, will be provided as per the organizational policy and Recruitment & Human Resource Management Policy of Partners in Health and Development (PHD), subject to project budget availability.