Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Associate - Environmental Management in UNOPS

Together, we build the future UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core. We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options. 

 Role Purpose

The primary purpose of the HSSE Associate is to provide essential operational support and coordination for all HSSE activities across the project. This role is crucial for:

•Ensuring Compliance: Monitoring adherence to all relevant local and national HSSE legislation, permits, and internal policies.
•Risk Mitigation: Assisting in the identification, assessment, and control of workplace hazards and environmental risks.
•HSSE Culture Development: Supporting training, communication, and engagement initiatives to promote a proactive safety and environmental awareness among employees.
•Operational Support: Managing HSSE documentation, coordinating inspections, and facilitating incident reporting and investigation processes.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Health Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) Associate will report directly to the HSSE Specialist and will verify and monitor that Project/Site HSSE plans and procedures are properly implemented throughout the projects’ life cycle. The incumbent needs to liaise continuously with the Project Manager/ Deputy Project Manager and the Project Team, and to provide supervision on HSSE issues during the absence of the HSSE Specialist.

 This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit. 

Key responsibilities:

•Technical Support Services
•Office Administration
•Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

Technical Support Services

•Support the Project Team on various health and safety and environmental related matters in the ongoing projects.
•Contribute to the development of the  HS plan.
•Assist in monitoring and reporting on site-specific ESMPs for activities conducted by the UNOPS field Offices.
•Support field level review of health, safety, social and environmental management plans on a regular basis and ensure these are up to date at all times.
•Assist in coordination of the implementation, monitoring and reporting of Environmental and Social Management Tools including Labor Management Procedures (LMP), Gender Based Violence Action Plan, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Prevention Action Plan and Child Protection Action Plan.
•With the guidance of the HSSE Specialist, perform field inspections and monitoring visits to the project’s sites to highlight possible areas/issues of non-conformity (e.g. unsafe work at heights and in excavations), draft project’s health and safety related reports on occurrences, and provide statistical information.
•Ensure that relevant safety risk assessments are complied and support the enforcement of preventative measures on HSSE for all project activities.
•Support in the development and review of HSSE guidelines and operating procedures.

Skills 

Accident Investigation, Computer Operations, Environmental Compliance, Health & Safety, Inspection, Reporting, Risk Assessment, Safety Management Systems, Training Delivery

Education Requirements

•High School Diploma is required;
•A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Health and Safety Management, Environmental Management, Civil Engineering, Natural Resource Management or any other relevant discipline will be considered as an asset and may substitute some of the required years of experience.

Certification:

•Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) certification is desired (when education is different from OH&S);
•Internationally recognized certification in Occupational Health and Safety, such as NEBOSH IGC/ IOSH / OHSAS 18001 is highly desired.

Experience Requirements

Required:

•A minimum of 6 years of work experience (or less depending on academic credencials) in Occupational Health and Safety; 
•Experience in H&S risk assessments OR on site inspections OR permit to work system OR incident investigation OR H&S reporting.

Desired:

•Work experience on international projects.Training facilitation in HSSE matters;
•Experience with third party certification audits for Health & Safety and Environment Management.
•Experience of working at UN agencies or other international Humanitarian/ Development organizations.
•Experience in working with the G-Suite platform including, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides.

Language Requirements

Ukrainian, Fluent.

English, Basic.

Opportunities for learning and growth

•Commitment to Excellence: Our support extends to all personnel at every level of the organization.
•Ongoing Development: We provide ongoing opportunities to help our people learn, develop, and excel at their jobs.
•State-of-the-Art Learning: Access a wide range of learning through our blended learning programmes, covering Leadership development and Personal and professional development.
•Key Credentials: Opportunities to benefit from Internationally recognized technical certifications and Membership to professional associations in various areas.
•Internal Culture: We foster an environment that encourages and supports knowledge sharing and collaboration.