Health ,Social,Safety and Environment

The Health ,Social, Safety and Environment  (HSSE) Specialist will report directly to the Senior Project Manager to ensure full coordination of environment and social issues for the social protection portfolio, and with the different project teams. In general, the main duties of the HSSE Specialist include ensuring compliance with local regulations and UNOPS rules as it relates to occupational health and safety, social, and environmental management, and to provide advice, training on measures needed to minimize hazards and environmental impacts in sub-project project sites and site offices. The HSSE Specialist needs to establish a safe workplace according to legal standards and foster a culture of attention to health, safety, social and environment management in all work sites throughout the projects’ life cycle.

Functional Responsibilities

Functions/Key Results Expected

• Implementing Best Practice in HSSE at the SNSOP Project  Level
• Assurance and Technical Support on Health and Safety matters
• Assurance and Technical Support on Environmental And Social Management
• Training and Knowledge Management
• Monitoring and progress control

More specifically, the HSSE Specialist  will be responsible for the following substantive tasks:

Implementing Best Practice in HSSE at the SNSOP Project  Level

• Ensure that all Health & Safety policies, procedures, rules and regulations are adhered to and are regularly reviewed, updated and communicated;
• Support the production and review health, safety, social and environmental management plans, on a regular basis and ensure these are up to date at all times;
• Conduct risk assessment and enforce preventative measures on HSSE;
• Prepare reports on incidents (including near misses) and compile statistical information to present to management on HSSE matters;
• Ensure a safe workplace environment is maintained at all times without risk to the health and safety of everyone including workers, UNOPS staff, other stakeholders and the general public;
• Support the recording and investigate incidents (including near misses) to determine the cause and to propose improvements to processes in the future;
• Support with all aspects of relevant health, safety & welfare at work legislation and communicate relevant changes to the stakeholders;
• Assist installations, maintenance and disposal of substances, plant and equipment etc. to ensure they are done in conformity with applicable laws and industry best practice.

Assurance and Technical Support on Health and Safety matters

• Support project staff, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders on various safety, health, social and environmental matters related to project implementation;
• Support the Programme/Projects’ teams in raising awareness on health and safety issues among project staff, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders and within UNOPS in general, working closely with the UNOPS  country team, Regional and Head Quarter HSE Unit.

Assurance and Technical Support on Environmental And Social Management

• Roll out the Environmental and Social Management Framework in consultation with the World Bank and the Government of South Sudan;
• Provide technical advice to project developers and SPM on what needs to be included in project proposals to embed HSSE management into new projects;
• Carrying out environmental and social screening process of site specific activities that will be conducted by communities;
• Ensure that appropriate social instruments and tools are applied across the Project as set out on the ESMF.

Training and Knowledge Management

• Carry out training and capacity building on environmental tools and frameworks, especially for new staff in the UNOPS Offices.
• Assist and conduct a structured programme of health & safety training (including a well-developed induction program) for project staff, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders.

Monitoring and progress control

• Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the implementation of the ESMF;
• Support the undertaking of monitoring and evaluation missions, as defined in the ESMF, to ensure capturing of all risks and impacts, as well as ensure that mitigation measures are implemented;
• Handle additional assignments as directed by the  Senior Project Manager to Monitor the implementation of instruments, such as the GBV/SEA and Child Protection Action Plan , Labour Management Procedures and Grievance Redress Mechanism;
• Support the project with documentation of HSSE inspections, audits and checks.

Final Product

• Requested tasks are delivered in a timely and efficient manner and according to UNOPS procedures to meet project requirements;
• Accurate, well organized and complete information and records;
• Client satisfaction based on feedback and performance indicators.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Social Science ,Health and Safety Management, Natural Sciences, Environmental Management or related discipline is required or related field;
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Health and Safety Management, Natural Sciences, Environment Management or related, in combination with additional two (2) years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of a Masters Degree.

Experience

• Five (5) years of progressive experience in Health and Safety, Social and Environmental Management, or related experience is required;
• Work experience or knowledge on environment and  social safeguards with International Financial Institution (e.g. World Bank or Africa Development Bank)  is an asset;
• Skills in advisory support and capacity building, are desirable;
• Experience working in South Sudan is an asset;
• Experience in a conflict/post-conflict context is an asset.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking) is required.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28138#3