Health and Safety Officer

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – Health and Safety Officer will provide, operate and maintain best practice health and safety systems for SPC. The role will provide health and safety reporting and advice in order to promote excellence and maximise company performance through audit, communication and continuous improvement of health and safety systems. The role will look to build commitment to health and safety and develop a culture where all staff take responsibility for the health and safety of themselves and others. The role will ensure effective health and safety systems, processes and practices are adhered to.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Support the design and implementation of policies and procedures, and ensure that hazard identification is recorded, and site safety compliance is maintained

• Meet obligations and responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation.
• Ensure health and safety requirements are developed, monitored and maintained in line with Pacific Communities policies.
• Effectively manage all risks and ensure there are no outstanding compliance issues.

Health and safety systems and tools coordination support

• Assist with the development and implementation of the health and safety plan.
• Support the establishment of a risk management and hazard identification tool.
• Ensure Health and safety systems are easy to use and understood by all staff.
• Maintain existing monitoring systems.

Promote health and safety values and deliver health and safety training on policies, procedures, and processes

• Ensure health and safety trainings are delivered focusing on high-risk areas.
• Encourage and reward excellence.
• Organise or facilitate health and safety training courses on an ‘as needs identified’ basis.
• Advise staff when required with legislative or practical health and safety advice.
• Provide a point of contact for all health and safety matters.

Encourage a positive health and safety reporting culture by supporting staff and managers to ensure all events are reported and recorded in an open, accurate and timely manner

• Produce comprehensive reports that clearly indicate areas of success and areas of improvement in relation to health and safety.
• Implement with managers improvement plans for identified areas of improvement.
• Apply best practices on health and safety guidelines and compliance into SPC processes and policies.
• Deliver regular and relevant reports in such a way that the information can be utilised by staff and management alike.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification specialised in health and safety.

Technical expertise

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in health and safety.
• Experience in providing advice on complex health and safety issues, and in development of health and safety policies.
• Working knowledge of the relevant health and safety acts across different regions/countries.
• Ability to work autonomously, take initiative and is solutions driven.
• Ability to work collaboratively and inclusively.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and awareness, and the ability to effectively work with team members from different cultural backgrounds.        

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – 3 years

Remuneration – The Health and Safety Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,044‒2,555 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 6,091–7,614 (USD 2,719–3,398; EUR 2,534–3,167). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 7 July 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000677

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. In your experience, what are the most difficult challenges in managing health and safety issues and what approaches have you utilized in addressing these?
2. How would you describe your approach to prevention and employee training?
3. What skills or qualities do you think are essential in this role?

Position Description