Occupational Safety and Health Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Office of the CMS (O/CMS) supports the implementation of the Mission's mandate by providing the necessary managerial, logistical and administrative support, including in areas as budget, finance, human resources management, general services, logistics, occupational safety and health (OSH) and environment. It manages twelve field offices throughout Afghanistan, including seven regional offices and five provincial offices, as well as one support office in Kuwait and two liaison offices in Tehran and Islamabad respectively.

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission Support, UNAMA, and within limits of delegated authority, the UNV will be responsible for the following duties: Audit, evaluation and inspection: • Review and update the Occupational Safety and Health policy and measurable objectives on safety and health issues in the workplace in accordance with UN regulations, policy, guidance and recognized best practices; • Continuously develop and improve prevention and control measures on the general safety of the workplace; • Conduct periodic surveys on the general safety of the workplace; • Prepare instructions and implement actions for the reduction or elimination of hazards in the workplace; • Promote continuous safety and health training and briefings for all UNAMA staff; • Ensure effective arrangements for the full participation of UNAMA personnel in the fulfilment of the Occupational Safety and Health policy; • Develop a safety and health awareness campaign to raise consciousness of all UNAMA staff members; • Identify mission safety and health indicators; • Review and respond to the results of Occupational Safety and Health performance evaluations and audits; • Make appropriate recommendations arising from the audits to the Chief of Mission Support in order to facilitate the adoption of corrective actions; • Fulfil the goals of continual improvement and best Occupational Safety and Health practice; • Act as the Secretary for the UNAMA Safety and health Council; • Liaise with all UNAMA sections and units on related cross cutting issues; • Regularly monitor and evaluate the OHS Task Forces activities in UNAMA Headquarters and Field Offices; • Produce monthly reports for UNHQ and reports for the CMS; • Carry-out any other related duties and responsibilities as required by CMS.

Accountability, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Working in Team

Minimum four years of responsible professional experience in workplace safety; experience in Occupational health in a cross-cultural environment is a plus. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with a volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in UNAMA are similar to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members. UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in an extensive compound in Kabul with good infrastructure and amenities. The mission has three compounds in Kabul: Compound Alpha, and UNOCA (UN Operational Complex in Afghanistan) the largest one. Generally speaking stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UN volunteers as other UN staff, are quite limited in all Afghan duty stations when it comes to movement, walking virtually not allowed. The movement is done inside the “green box” (only) mostly in armored vehicles driven by national qualified UN drivers. Many places are off limits (including restaurants). There is also a curfew throughout the country, generally from midnight to 5:30 am but this can very between duty stations. There are number of security measures to be compiled with, The UNAMA Security section provides these guidelines during the initial security briefing up on arrival in the mission area. Upon arrival, volunteers are accommodated at the UNV designated accommodations within the UNOCA compound for a fix charge of US$ 10 per day (US$300per month for a room), exclusive of food. Inside the UNOCA compound are two cafeterias, a restaurant, a “Superette” and 3 small shops which provide a variety of imported canned and frozen food on offer. There is a Fresh vegetable market daily. There is also a social center, a gym hall and a small library with books and DVDs, run by the welfare Office, within the same compound. In the provinces, the situation is different where UN personnel are confined to guess houses in most of the regions, both electricity and water are readily available, although water can sometimes run low as a result of severe droughts in the last couple of years. Most guesthouses have secured water (e.g. through a well in the compound) and generators in the event of power failure. Medical service is provided in all UNAMA duty stations. There is a UN clinic in UNAMA/UNOCA complex and access is granted in Kabul to other private international clinics. Most produce/staples are common in the markets e.g. rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt etc. UNOCA has a new minimarket where basic goods can be bought also. There are also a number of UN cleared supermarkets in Kabul, in Jalalabad, and in Mazar-I-Sharif. Contact with and outreach to the local community is usually limited. As mentioned many places are off-limits and the choice of recreational facilities are very poor. Living allowances are paid in US$ at the end of each month, but bank transfers by UNAMA to accounts abroad are possible. There are several Western Union money transfer offices in Kabul and an international bank is operating in the UNAMA compound. Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry but winter is the opposite, cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing and comfortable boots with insulation are necessary. Most common consumer articles are available in Kabul (and in the regions). Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique UN mission. It requires more stamina, commitment, and flexibility than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort are absolutely essential. https://www.unv.org/