Global Health Services Lead

Unilever is proud of its tea business ekaterra, the biggest in the world, with world class purpose driven brands such as Lipton, PG tips and Pukka. eka stands for unity and one purpose while terra stands for earth and nature. As ekaterra we are united in one purpose: growing a world of wellbeing through the regenerative power of plants. Recently Unilever announced that it had agreed to sell ekaterra to CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII. 

Present in more than 100 countries, ekaterra generated revenues of €2 billion in 2019. With 11 production factories in four continents and tea growing estates in three countries, ekaterra is a profitable and growing business offering a world of wellbeing with the regenerative power of plants to hundreds of millions of consumers. As a standalone entity, ekaterra is even better positioned to lead the industry with dedicated focus driving greater growth and value. 

Under CVC’s ownership, ekaterra has an exciting future ahead with opportunities for increased investments in our brands, our people and our capabilities. Combining the strength and scale of its global iconic brands with speed and agility, ekaterra is brewing a ‘corporate start-up’ mindset that’s opening-up new opportunities to flourish every day – both for its business, and its people. 

At ekaterra, we work alongside people who put consumer love at the heart of every decision. Diverse minds who celebrate new ideas, share our values and the commitment we have for the wellbeing of all. In return, we create an environment that gives our people space and freedom, where they can grow as leaders. A connected community where ideas can thrive. Where you explore new challenges. Learning all you need to master your field, and even more about yourself. 

Be part of this amazing blend. Join our collective and help us grow a better world of wellbeing and a better you. 

Your Role: 

The Global Health Services Lead will proactively manage the day-to-day delivery of global health services to a high standard, integrating the delivery model as much as reasonably practicable with the main medical insurance plan as well as all stakeholders at the location of delivery in ekaterra. 

1. CLINICAL OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE (OM) 

Clinical practice forms a primary core deliverable within the OH agenda. Clinical OM aims at protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of Ekaterra population. Data collected during the clinical practice, whether primary care or OM provides the basis for OH risk-based planning for several proactive preventive programs. The GHSL should make arrangements and work with local teams to provide clinical care with an understanding of the workplace, work exposures, and relevant local legislations, unions, etc. 

OBJECTIVES 

• Apply knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based clinical evaluation and treatment of injuries and illnesses that are occupationally and environmentally related. 
• Apply expertise to evaluate the impact of personal medical conditions on the ability to perform work tasks.
• Record and analyse data collected during clinical practice and use it in studying trends and riskbased planning.
• Referral Process - There should be a clear and easily accessible system for managers to refer any employee who poses concerns regarding their health or attendance. This does not apply to or cover employee self-referral for general health conditions. 
• Work Related Ill-Health (WRIH) 
  • Investigate initial concerns regarding work-related ill health
  • Manage the diagnosis process to confirm diagnosis.
  •  Support Ekaterra investigation team as required to identify root causes.

2. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RELATED LAWS AND REGULATIONS 

Ekaterra commits to legal and moral obligations to ensure that employees practice their job in a healthy and safe environment. The GHSL along with local teams shall ensure that all OH legal requirements are met at all sites covered. 

OBJECTIVES 

• Develop an OH legal register for each country and/or region under service coverage.
• Ensure that local laws and regulations are implemented as a basis for practice. Whenever Ekaterra standards are more stringent than the local laws and regulations, Ekaterra standards shall be implemented. 
• Protect patients’ legal rights to confidentiality of medical information. 
• Apply appropriate controls in communication and record keeping, electronic and hard copies, to protect patients’ rights to confidential medical information. 
• Maintain complete, timely, and legible records. 
• Report cases of occupational injury, illness, or fatality according to existing regulations. 
• Apply knowledge and skills necessary to comply with regulations important to occupational health and those related to the interaction between work and health. 
• Interact knowledgeably with nonmedical professionals, including human resources managers, operations managers, safety professionals, union leaders, government officials, and legal professionals. 

3. Public Health, Surveillance & Disease Prevention 

The GHSL should apply knowledge and skills to develop, evaluate and manage health surveillance programs for the workplace, and apply primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive methods. 

• Undertake the clinical assessment using recognised best practise models in relation to test and results. 
• Adopt standards for application of testing and results that are recognised best practice.
• Support Ekaterra in validating any risks identified through hazard analysis. 
• Support internal and external audits and programs required to maintain accreditation when applicable. 
• Provide a process to manage health surveillance program. 
• Alert Ekaterra on identified health issues at the workplace. 
• Support site investigations of potential exposures, incidents, or illnesses. 
• Provide risk mitigation advice upon request. 

Health Assessment

Health Assessment is the process of undertaking clinical assessment on employees who are required to reach an identified level of fitness to be able to perform their role in a healthy and safe way.

• Provide guidance to site on which tasks/roles would require health assessment as required following a job safety analysis model. 
• Undertake health assessment using current best practice and report the outcomes to Ekaterra.
• Provide advice on rehabilitation or adaptation for any employee not meeting the required health fitness criteria. 

4. WORK FITNESS AND DISABILITY MANAGEMENT 

While protecting and maintaining confidential medical information, the GHSL shall manage a process where Ekaterra can refer employees whenever there is a work-related health concerns and can get constructive feedback on how to manage the employees’ status without breaking medical confidentiality. 

PRE-PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT 

Ekaterra appreciates the importance of allowing all new employees and role change employees to assess their ability to undertake the requirements of the new role and be provided specialist advice in relation to any required adaptations.

• Provide a system that allows any new or moving employees to identify any health concerns they may have with the new role.
• Provide a system for recruiting managers to identify the hazards involved in any new role that may have concern. 
• Report to managers the fitness of new hire or employee to the role and give clear guidelines on any steps to take to support and/or adapt the role. 
• Ensure that local legal and regulatory requirements as well as Ekaterra requirements are met during the process.

REHABILITATION AND ADAPTATION TO WORK 

Ekaterra appreciates how important it is to provide adapted working where reasonably practicable to promote early return to work and support those with disability. 

• Conduct return to work assessment for employees who were on long leave or have been hospitalized. 
• Provide necessary expertise to conduct impairment evaluation according to local and/or international standards. 

MEDICAL RETIREMENT 

Ekaterra may consider medical retirement for those who have exhausted all reasonable treatment option and are unlikely to be able to return to employment.

• Provide a system that allows requests for medical retirement to be progressed in line with the Company’s requirements. 
• Provide senior medical assessment of all cases in compliance with the requirements to allow Ekaterra to make decisions on the applicability of claims. 

5. HAZARD RECOGNITION, EVALUATION AND CONTROL 

The GHSL shall assess whether there is a risk of an adverse event from exposure to physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, or psychological hazards in the workplace or environment. The GHSL shall collaborate with industrial hygienists or other qualified safety and health care professionals and interpret measurements and reports from such professionals in context. 

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT 

Ekaterra recognises that assessment and knowledge of the working environment is fundamental in providing robust OH advice.

• Support workplace assessments as clinically indicated to support the return to work or adaptation process involving employee, manager, SHE, etc. 
• Provide guidance and support in relation to hazards and observations made during such assessments. 
• Undertake any relevant Safety Behavioural Audits and Deep Compliance Audits relevant to speciality following appropriate explanation and training. 
• Provide support and promote as appropriate tools for workstation assessment such as psychosocial risk assessments and manual handling assessments. 

ACCIDENT SUPPORT AND INVESTIGATION 

Ekaterra’s medical & occupational health program is integrated with many functions. Integration with the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) function is of paramount importance in managing accidents in the workplace. 

• Support any accident investigation by providing objective opinion on any injury that impacts ability to work as soon as reasonably practicable. 
• Provide objective causality advice in injury cases that potentially result from underlying medical condition.

6. TRAVEL MEDICINE

 Ekaterra recognises a duty of care to employees travelling overseas for business or relocated overseas for purpose of work. 

• Provide a system for employees to undertake a travel health risk assessment prior to any Overseas travel.
• Provide advice on travel destination health precautions. 
• Provide required vaccination based on risk (it is anticipated that this would also extend to any workplace biological hazards) 
• Provide a system for reporting any adverse health effects of overseas travel under Work Related Ill health. 

7. HEALTH & WELLBEING SUPPORT

 Ekaterra recognises the health and wellbeing of its employees is at the core of everything it undertakes. 

HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT 

GHSL is expected to develop a globally recognised Health check program which measures employee’s wellbeing through a series of assessments. This will allow Ekaterra to plan global wellbeing measures using risk-based planning approach.

• Develop the occupational health risk register. 
• Fully understand the health risk assessment program and its application.
• Provide and deliver communication in line with the Ekaterra communication strategy to promote Health checks (HC). 
• Produce reports on the program in the form of group anonymised data enabling the measurement of health demographics by cluster; country; site, etc. 
• Provide individuals with bespoke health coaching in order that they can make decisions regarding health choices. 
• Provide risk-based health coaching as appropriate. 
• Provide follow up support to health coaching as appropriate through OH provision. 
• Provide records and analysis showing health impact assessment for the implemented wellbeing programs. 

WELLBEING MODEL 

Ekaterra has a strong wellbeing pact and strategy accessible to all employees in the organization. 

• Be knowledgeable and conversant with all aspects of the Ekaterra wellbeing pact. 
• Be able to demonstrate how the OH activities fit within the pillars of the pact. 
• Be able to support any wellbeing initiatives undertaken by Ekaterra in terms of time and commitment. 
• Be a strategic partner in the delivery of wellbeing pact as required and where able to promote the activity through daily interactions. 
• Be able to provide generic and site-specific wellbeing advice as required by sites. 

8. OCCUPATIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY 

Ekaterra recognises that there is a significant potential impact on the musculoskeletal health of its workforce in relation to occupational hazards as well as aging population. Where the need is identified and agreed we would look to the provide an Occupational Physiotherapy service. 

• Supply a service that whilst assessing and treating, is also competent to provide workstation and ergonomic advice and provide employee and employer training in relation to best practise and hazard management. 
• Physiotherapist should advise the business as OH with regards to fitness to work and rehabilitation programs. 

9. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

The GHSL shall have a critical role in emergency preparedness and management, with responsibility for protecting employees from health consequences of disasters. The GHSL should have the knowledge and skills to collaborate with the employer management team to plan for workplace response to natural or man-made disasters. Emergency management planning includes resource mobilization, worker population tracking, communication contingency planning, and collaboration with local and international agencies.

• Maintain awareness about local threats, e.g. nuclear plants, chemical production facilities, etc. 
• Participate in company emergency response exercises. 
• Understand how to activate and notify others in the emergency response system. 
• Recognize and report sentinel events that may represent a potential disaster or epidemic. 
• Understand the local government medical role in the community emergency response plan. 
• Establish emergency procedures and protocols for the clinical management of individuals involved in disaster incidents, including specific medical management protocols.
• Design and implement a plan for mitigation of a disaster incidence at the worksite. 
• Assist in the design and implementation of a medical recovery plan for mass casualty events. 
• Design an outbreak identification and investigation plan. 
• Design a pandemic preparedness plan. 
• Maintain a thorough understanding of local, regional, state, and national response plans and the incident command structure. 
• Develop a first aid certification program that complies with the local legal requirements and the international best practices. 

10. HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY 

The GHSL shall identify and address individual and organizational factors in the workplace to optimize the health of the worker and enhance productivity. These issues most often include absenteeism, presenteeism, health enhancement, employee wellness programs, and population health management. 

• Counsel employees about health risks and lifestyle. 
• Accommodate cultural, ethnic, educational, and language variations among workers when providing information on occupational hazard prevention, disease prevention, and health promotion. 
• Design plans to manage sickness absence in the workplace. 
• Design plans to manage fatigue in the workplace. 

11. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION 

Ekaterra aims to have the GHSL an integral part of the business, working in partnership with Ekaterra Internal teams - SHE; Human resources and site management, as well as providing impartial and objective support to employees. 

• Establish protocols to manage patients records and protect confidentiality. 
• Design, implement, and evaluate clinical practice guidelines, quality management and quality improvement programs, utilization management, case management, and other activities to enhance Ekaterra’s performance. 
• Ensure regular service reviews are conducted with key stakeholders. 
• Be available to attend key Ekaterra site meetings such as Core safety meetings; Wellbeing planning meetings; attendance review meetings and any other meeting that could reasonably require Occupational Health Input. 

12. DATA SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS 

Ekaterra strives to provide health & wellbeing services that are driven by risk, need and data analysis. For Ekaterra to measure success and loss, the GHSL must be able to supply anonymised group data to Ekaterra in the mechanism agreed. 

• Number of health surveillances required/requested against those delivered.
• Number of Health assessments required/requested against those delivered.
• Ability to split data into single or multiple stratified groups upon request.
• Be able to link data sets. 
• Be able to receive, migrate and align legacy data. 
• Provide basic mathematical analytics including identifying trends and showing correlations (relationships) of data sets. 
• Provide relevant benchmarking i.e., industry or national averages to compare against. 
• Provide insight analysis of the data presented and suggestions of action planning to address any loss. 

13. HAZARD COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING 

Ekaterra decides to communicate information about the hazards and risks posed in the workplace to all employees whether they are full time, part time, shift workers, remote workers, etc. Communication should be suitable for the audience, taking into consideration the diversity of Ekaterra population such as gender, language, culture, literacy, and disability. Communication should consider the complexity of the organization to ensure that messages are communicated effectively across functions and levels. Communication should be prepared collaboratively with site management, HR, and SHE to include information related to the following: 

• Chemical hazards in a way that conforms with the globally harmonized system for classification and labelling of chemicals. 
• Health hazards and their related risks in the workplace e.g. process flow hazards, materials in use hazards, equipment specifications and hazards, observation of work practices hazards, etc. 
• Progress on actions taken by Ekaterra to eliminate/reduce health hazards and risks at the workplace. 
• Changes taking place at work that might impact the health hazards and risks in the workplace. 
• Incident and illness investigation findings. 
• How workers can raise concerns about health hazards and risks at the workplace and make suggestions to eliminate them.

14. ANY OTHER SERVICES 

The core services above are not intended to be exhaustive and there may be other activities required either regularly or from time to time. 

• Routine and/or ‘for cause’ drug and alcohol testing. 
• Dyslexia assessment. 
• Participation in corporate social responsibility programs related to occupational health. 
• Occupational health event management. 
• Occupational health tender technical evaluations

Stakeholder Management and key interfaces:

• The incumbent will interact with the senior leadership team at the global, regional, and country level. 
• The incumbent will need to work closely with the P&O teams, SHE teams, M&OH teams/outsourced partners across all operating locations of ekaterra. 
• The incumbent may be required to interact with relevant health agencies / government authorities on behalf of ekaterra. 
• The incumbent will also need to lead employee communication on health & wellbeing related matters. 

Skills and Experience: 

We are looking for an experienced healthcare industry professional / doctor with both medical know-how and administrative experience who can help us in setting up the global health services function in ekaterra. Previous experience of setting up health services function in a global organization will be an added advantage.