Regional HSSE Specialist - Occupational Health and Safety

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

As part of its duty of care, UNOPS commits to ensuring that people do not fall sick or sustain injuries when the organization carries out its operations. In line with its health and safety improvement initiative, UNOPS has introduced a zero tolerance approach to poor health and safety performance, and is recruiting a health and safety specialist to support the implementation of the appropriate health and safety system and requirements.

Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent will work with the Middle East Region (MR) and Europe Region (ECR). The incumbent will coordinate with the Regional Infrastructure Advisors, and with overall guidance from the MR and ECR Regional Directors and the Regional Management and Oversight Advisor in both regions. The incumbent’s activities shall support the multi-countries and country offices under MR and ECR in developing the appropriate competences, policies, mechanisms, systems and tools to effectively manage and monitor health and safety controls across their offices, project sites and operations, including UNOPS’ hosted entities. The duties of the health and safety specialist will include extensive travel to these countries and specific projects’ sites as necessary to review and advise on improvements required, particularly with focus on large-scale infrastructure projects and operations.

Technical Advisory & Support

• Supporting all offices in the MR and ECR regions, Country/hub Managers and other managers across the region in establishing effective performance monitoring of HS for the projects and the office;
• Support Programme Managers, Project Managers, relevant managers and project teams in the region with implementing health, safety, social and Environmental (HSSE) requirements;
• Evaluate practices and procedures at UNOPS-managed premises and construction sites in the region to assess risk and adherence to UNOPS HSSE requirements;
• Review HSSE plans of UNOPS offices, units and projects/sites to ensure project implementation is fully aligned to UNOPS HSSE guidelines;
• Review risk assessments, inspections, incident investigations and other reports and offer advice to project teams to ensure that good practices are upheld;

• Assist project teams to correct deviations from health and safety requirements including managing breaches of requirements and poor performance by personnel and contractors.

  Monitoring Performance and Addressing Incidents

• Carry out inspections and system reviews to ensure that UNOPS operations are complying with corporate HSSE requirements and international best practices;

• Carry out incident investigations;
• Follow up on actions to address non-conformities or issues raised in incident investigations, inspections and audits to ensure that the issues have been effectively addressed and lessons learned shared;
• Carry out actions to improve the effectiveness of health and safety critical controls in the field offices;
• Use trend analysis of monitoring data from field offices for the purposes of addressing poor performance;

• Carry out initiatives to support the improvement of health and safety culture including ensuring that actions in the organization’s safety improvement plan are carried out.

  Training and Knowledge Management

• In close coordination with the UNOPS HQ HSSE Unit and the Regional Office, support and facilitate trainings to improve the capacity of UNOPS personnel, contractors and partners in implementing UNOPS health and safety requirements;

• Facilitate practical training for contractors and project teams so that they ‘learn by doing’ and ensure continuous safe operations during project execution
• Be the focal point for health and safety knowledge building and sharing across the region with a focus on context-specific good practices;
• Support the development and implementation of other HSSE initiatives as assigned by the Regional Office.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) preferably in fields such as civil engineering, architecture or health and safety management is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent), preferably in fields such as civil engineering, architecture or health and safety management, with an additional 2 years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of a master's degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) management, within engineering and construction management or in other high risk industries is required.
• Experience in HSSE risk assessments, inspections, incident investigation and/or training facilitation is required.
• Minimum of 5 years in managing and implementing project related health and safety matters is a requirement.
• Field experience in developing countries is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English.
• Knowledge of another UN language, in particular Arabic, is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Contract level: IICA-2 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• This position is stationed in Amman, Jordan which is a family duty station.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.