Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (Kassala) – UNOPS

Job Description

Organization	United Nations Office for Project Services
Job Title	Health, Safety, Social and Environmental
Vacancy code	VA/2024/B5312/27630
Department/office	AFR, ETMCO, Sudan
Duty station	Kassala, Sudan
Contract type	Local ICA Support
Contract level	LICA-5
Duration	Ongoing Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.’
Application period	29-Feb-2024 to 13-Mar-2024

 Functional Responsibilities

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  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.  

Background Information – Sudan

The UNOPS Sudan office is based in Khartoum (temporarily in Port Sudan) and works closely with the Government of Sudan and international partners to support humanitarian response, recovery, and development initiatives. UNOPS is the United Nations sector lead for the Basic Infrastructure Sector in Sudan and helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including water resource management, education, census and elections, human resource management, and mine action.

The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) Senior Assistant will report directly to the Project Manager and will support HSSE coordination across all the target project sites. In general, the main duties of the  HSSE Senior Assistant is to support processes for ensuring compliance with local and UNOPS rules as it relates to occupational health and safety. The HSSE Senior Assistant will also support the implementation of environmental management activities, and to provide guidance, and support monitoring of measures needed to minimize hazards and environmental impacts in project implementation. The HSSE Senior Assistant needs to assist in promoting 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 in all locations. The incumbent will work closely with project assistants and all field-level personnel.

 Functional Responsibilities

The Health, Safety, Social and environmental (HSSE) Senior Assistant will be responsible for the following substantive tasks:

• Under the supervision of the PM, support field-level teams on HSSE compliance in all project locations.
• Assist in field-level review of health, safety, social, and environmental management plans, regularly and ensure these are up to date at all times.
• Assist and support project staff, and contractors, on various safety, health, social, and environmental related matters related to project implementation.
• Assist the Project Manager in raising awareness of health and safety issues among project staff, and contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Support risk assessments and oversee the enforcement of preventative measures on HSSE for all project activities.
• Assist and/or co-facilitate HSSE training for UNOPS field project teams, contractors, and other stakeholders on selected topics.
• Assist installations, maintenance, and disposal of substances, plant, and equipment, etc., to ensure they are done in conformity with applicable laws and industry best practices.
• Assist in HSSE reporting and investigations follow up with project teams to prepare reports on incidents (including near misses) and provide information for monthly HSSE reporting.     
• Assist the program of documented HSSE inspections, audits and checks. and follow-ups          
• Participate in regular site meetings to report on relevant HSSE matters and to provide necessary advice.
• Actively assist the project in meeting UNOPS HSE standards and to prepare for and meet the requirements of external audits for ISO 14 001 and OHSAS 18 001
• Any other related tasks assigned.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Day-to-day administrative support was provided to the project team.
• Satisfactory performance daily.

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 is based on feedback and performance indicators.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education	Completion of secondary education is required. A Diploma in Health and Safety Management, Environmental Management, Civil Engineering, or related fields from  a recognized institute is desirable. A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Health and Safety Management, Environmental Management Civil Engineering is desirable but not required and may be considered as a substitute for four (4) years of the required work experience.
Experience	A minimum of five (5) years of experience in HSSE, preferably in the infrastructure sector, is required A proven track record of experience managing health and safety in construction, manufacturing, mining, or similar production environments is an asset. Experience in the usage of  Google Suite applications and related tools is an advantage.
Language Requirements	Fluency in written, spoken, and reading  English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

 Competencies

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.

 Contract type, level, and duration

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractual Agreement (LICA) 
2. Contract level: LICA-5 (ICS 5)
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘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

This is a local position and is open for Sudanese nationals only.

 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 that 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.

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 by 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.