Overview of position

Our client is an operational arm of the UN, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian & development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the UN, our client provides sustainable project management, procurement & infrastructure services to a wide range of governments (govt’s), donors & other UN organizations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, they offer their partners the logistical, technical & management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for their partners at any given time, our client makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Our client is located in Mogadishu & oversees the organization’s operations in Somalia, They in Somalia implement a large portfolio of projects in partnership with other UN agencies & various donors on the ground, ranging from physical infrastructure to transactional projects. The HSSE Officer provides technical assistance & expertise with reference to the Health & Safety (H&S) of construction works as well as field coordination, ensuring high quality & consistency of safe working environment is established for construction works. The HSSE Officer promotes a collaborative, client focused, quality & results oriented approach in the project team.

Role objectives

Summary of functions:

1. Planning, coordination & implementation.
2. Monitoring & reporting.
3. Knowledge management & innovation.

Planning, coordination & implementation:

• Coordinate the overall implementation of the HSSE systems, policy, procedures in the Country Office (CO) & projects.
• Ensure compliance to all HSSE policies, procedures, rules & requirements in all projects & communicated.
• Develop & / or advise on risk mitigation actions required for all HSSE potential & actual risk & recommend mitigation strategies during project implementation, taking into consideration relevant & existing assessments.
• Support all project teams in the development of H&S plan & Environmental Safeguards Management Plan (ESMP) for all projects & its implementation in compliance with the HSSE policies, procedures & guidelines.
• Provide guidance to project developers & teams to ensure HSSE is embedded in project proposals.
• Liaise & regularly coordinate with the project teams to ensure their respective contractors comply with the HSSE requirements including training & reporting.
• Support all HSSE related matters during all phases of the project.

Monitoring & reporting:

• Coordinates the monitoring & reporting of HSSE performance indicators such as inspections, incident management & training.
• Support the recording & investigate of all HSSE incidents (including near misses) to determine the cause & to propose areas of improvement.
• Prepare reports on incidents (including near misses) & compile statistical information to present to management on HSSE matters.
• Conducts regular field inspection & monitoring visits to the project sites to ensure compliance to the HSSE requirements.
• Perform HSSE projects’ risk assessments as required, to ensure effective HSSE standards.
• are in place as per the HSSE requirements.
• Provide support to periodic project onsite HSSE inspections & ensure closure of action items, in close coordination with the project team.
• Supports in the development, implementation & follow up of corrective & preventive measures including lesson learnt from risk assessment, inspections & incident reviews.
• Ensure a safe workplace environment is maintained at all times without risk to the H&S of everyone including workers, our client staff, other stakeholders & the general public.
• Participate in regular CO & project meetings to report on relevant HSSE matters & to provide the necessary technical support.
• Compiles & maintains system & project documentation such as procedures & reports as per the HSSE requirements.
• Ensure that appropriate environmental mitigation measures are proposed & met.
• Provide & assist in regular reports to the Head of Program on relevant HSSE activities.
• Support with all aspects of relevant H&S & welfare at work legislation & communicate relevant changes to the stakeholders.
• Day to day administrative support provided to the project team.
• Advice govt’s on E&S safeguards.

Knowledge management:

• Support in the development & implementation of specific HSSE training & capacity building for the CO.
• Support, organize & conduct structured HSSE training for the project team, contractors, consultants, implementing partners & other stakeholders including induction.

Impact of results:

• The effective & successful achievement of results by the HSSE Officer directly impacts on achievement of the projects & consequently reinforces the visibility & image of our client as an effective service provider in project services & management & strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development & project services.

Project reporting

The HSSE Officer will report will report to the Senior Project Manager.

Key competencies

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Health & Safety Management, Environmental Management, Civil Engineering, Natural Sciences or other relevant discipline is required or a High School Diploma with 6 years of relevant work experience will be accepted as equivalent. An Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with relevant discipline is an asset.
• 2 years of progressively responsible experience in HSSE management is required, with at least 1 years in managing & implementing projects’ related HSSE matters is required.
• Experience in H&S risk assessments, inspections, incident investigation & training facilitation is an asset.
• Experience with the design or implementation of environmental safeguards tools is required.
• Experience working on infrastructure projects will be an asset.
• Experience in HSE management is an asset.
• Experience working in a project or operations management capacity, a UN organization or a similar international organization would be considered a strong asset.
• Experience liaising & working with govt. officials to facilitate planning, implementation & M&E of projects would be considered a strong asset.
• Experience working in multicultural teams.
• Availability to travel to project sites across the country.
• Experience / knowledge of web based applications & G-Suite products, especially google forms, sheets, docs &slides is an asset.
• Full working knowledge of English & Somali is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
• Treats all individuals with respect, responds sensitively to differences & encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational & ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity & inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates & supports the development of others. Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs & inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of one’s own role on all partners & always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds & maintains strong external relationships & is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self & / or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities & takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on their beneficiaries.
• Open to change & flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts its own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences & modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data & courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions.
• Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation & creativity to problem solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise & open manner.
• Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings & needs of others. Actively listens & proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion & finding common ground.
• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge & commitment to continuous learning.
• The HSSE Officer is responsible for keeping abreast of new developments in HSSE areas in construction works.

Further information

Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.