John Dennis
Environmental Health Consultant
73 Albatross Road, Red Beach 0932
Auckland, New Zealand
LinkedIn: John Dennis
+64 22 4444 661
Professional Summary
New Zealand trained Environmental health professional with over 20 years’ experience in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene across low-income and remote settings in the Asia-Pacific region. As a seasoned environmental health consultant dedicated to advancing public health through effective WASH interventions, I bring a strong foundation in environmental health and health protection, specialising in WASH risk management, hygiene education, and drinking water safety. I have worked alongside organisations such as WHO, ADB, SPC, UNOPs, Engineers Without Borders, ADRA, and various government ministries, contributing to the development of national policies, drinking water standards, and health surveillance systems.
As a NZ designated health protection officer, WHO DWSP Global Trainer of Trainers, and accredited Drinking Water Assessor, I have led national capacity-building programmes, emergency responses to natural disasters, and disease outbreak investigations. Through collaboration with these clients, I have supported the delivery of sustainable, locally-appropriate solutions that strengthen WASH systems and improve public health outcomes. Across Asia and the Pacific, from Mongolia to India and Vanuatu to the Maldives, I have successfully supported the advancement sustainable practices in vastly diverse and challenging settings.
Core Competencies
National Policy Development: Expertise in developing national WASH policies and water quality standards.
Water Safety Planning (WSP): Accredited DWSP auditor and trainer, skilled in risk management and regulatory programme design.
Emergency Preparedness: WASH response expertise for natural disasters and health crises.
Regulatory Compliance: Advising on and implementing compliance frameworks for WASH initiatives.
Capacity Building: Proven success in training programmes and intersectoral collaboration.
Stakeholder Engagement: Extensive experience collaborating with governments, NGOs, and local agencies.
Professional Experience
Senior Consultant – International Environmental Health and WASH Expert
EHCGlobal | 2010 – Present
Developed national water quality standards (Cook Islands) and regional WASH strategies (WHO) across Pacific nations.
Directed national WASH surveillance programmes for health departments.
Conducted WASH-Fit assessments in healthcare facilities to improve standards.
Supported emergency responses to Tropical Cyclone Pam (Tuvalu) and COVID-19 (New Zealand).
Facilitated Training of Trainers seminars on Drinking Water Safety Planning (DWSP) as part of the WHO Water Safety Plan Programme in countries such as Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Cambodia, India, the Maldives, and Tahiti.
Provided technical advisory services for public health assessments in small island states, ensuring alignment with international WASH standards through projects supported by WHO.
Developed and reviewed environmental health and sanitation programmes for schools in low income settings, implementing WASH risk management principles and capacity building initiatives.
Delivered capacity-building workshops for local government agencies across the Pacific region to improve WASH governance structures, working with various Ministries of Health.
Designed and implemented hygiene surveys and developed a Hygiene Awareness Education Programme in Funafuti, Tuvalu, focusing on hand hygiene and menstrual hygiene management (ADB).
Health Protection Officer – Drinking Water Assessor
Auckland District Health Board & NZ Ministry of Health | 2005 – 2010
Delivered DWSP implementation for rural communities.
Managed water safety and compliance training programmes.
Led risk management initiatives.
Previous Roles:
Environmental Health Officer, North Shore City Council (2005)
Health Protection Officer, Otago District Health Board (2002 – 2005)
Selected Projects
Proposed National 10-Year WASH Policy for Tuvalu (2023-2024):
Lead author for policy aligning with sustainable development goals, submitted to the World Bank.Hygiene Awareness Education Programme (2023):
Designed and implemented a programme in Funafuti, Tuvalu, improving community hygiene practices.Groundwater Carcinogen Assessment, Niue (2024):
Conducted assessments informing Niue’s public health water safety policies.Marshall Islands Environmental Health Programme (2018):
Developed a framework integrating WASH initiatives into national health programmes.
Education & Certifications
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Environmental Health), Massey University (2002)
Accredited Drinking Water Assessor, NZ Ministry of Health (2007)
WHO WSP Global Trainer of Trainers (2017)
Professional Affiliations
Member, International Water Association (IWA)
Accredited Drinking Water Assessor, New Zealand Ministry of Health
Geographic Experience
Practical in-country experience in 22 countries, including:
Asia: Cambodia, Laos PDR, Mongolia, India, Singapore and Thailand.
Pacific: Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tahiti.
Others: New Zealand, Australia, Kenya and the Maldives.
