Categories: Vacancies, May 2026

Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Senior Officer

Location: Addis Ababa

Organization: UNOPS

Deadline: January 15, 2025

Job Description

Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi Country Office is recruiting for Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Senior Officer (HSSE Senior Officer) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Organizational Context

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. 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. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.Established in 2009, Ethiopia Multi-country office (ETMCO and recently known as HAMCO – Horn of Africa MCO) sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Addis Ababa which manages a portfolio of engagements in four (4) Horn of Africa countries (Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan). ETMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Agriculture, Resilient infrastructure, among others.

Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries in the Horn of Africa.

The primary role of Programme Office is to provide the MCO with the structures, tools and techniques needed to ensure that it has the right programmes and projects in place, that operational and change priorities are balanced, the governance and decision making is facilitated and it has the resources and capability to deliver them consistently well.

The functions and services of the Programme Units include:

Strategic Planning/Portfolio Support: Ensuring UNOPS is focused on doing the right projects by supporting management decision-making.
Delivery Support: Ensuring UNOPS is doing projects the right way, through the effective delivery of the programme and projects.
Best Practices: Applying UNOPS standards in project management, encouraging consistent working practices and ensuring appropriate application.

Through these functions and services, the Programme Infrastructure team ensures that infrastructure policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the organization, international and national codes and standards. The Programme Infrastructure team strongly contributes to moving the office towards achieving its mission-focused goals and objectives.

The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Senior Officer (HSSE Senior Officer) will provide technical expertise and support in the implementation of Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) measures to the HAMCO and its related projects. The HSSE Senior Officer will be responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant HSSE standards, guidelines, and regulations, and for promoting a culture of safety and environmental sustainability within the HAMCO’s projects. The scope of the assignment includes providing HSSE technical and advisory support to projects, Conducting practical trainings and capacity building of UNOPS and Contractor personnel, project monitoring and reporting, stakeholder management and coordination, knowledge management, innovation, and personnel management.

The duties of the HSSE Senior Officer will include extensive travel to project sites as necessary to oversee, review and promote best HSSE practices. The HSSE Senior Officer will work under the direct supervision of the MCO HSSE Coordinator, with a secondary reporting line to the HAMCO Head of Infrastructure. The incumbent will provide HSSE Support and Guidance, mainly to Infrastructure Project Managers and their teams in the implementation of organizational standards and best practices in HSSE planning, reporting, support and delivery.

Functional Responsibilities

Project Implementation
Technical Assistance
Project Monitoring and Reporting
Stakeholder Management, Coordination, and Liaison
Knowledge Management and Innovation
Personnel Management

1. Project Implementation
Support the development and implementation of HSSE plans, policies, and procedures for the assigned project(s) in accordance with UNOPS and donor requirements.

Plan and conduct regular construction site inspections and support the project team in follow-up with responsible personnel to ensure findings are timeously closed.

Provide technical guidance and support to project staff and contractors on HSSE-related matters.

Ensure effective implementation of risk management strategies to minimize occupational hazards and environmental impacts.

Act as HSSE Coordinator for the MCO, when assigned

2. Technical Assistance

Provide technical assistance to project teams on the implementation of HSSE aspects of project design, procurement, and construction activities.

Monitor the implementation of Environmental and Social Monitoring and Management Plans (ESMPs) by contractors around project sites.

Evaluate practices and procedures including risk assessments at construction sites to assess risks and adherence to UNOPS HSSE requirements.

Advise on the selection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment and safety measures.

Support the integration of HSSE considerations into project monitoring and evaluation activities.

Support the recording and investigation of incidents (including near misses) to determine the cause and to propose improvements to processes in the future.

Coordination & Support HSSE Offices Inspection/Plans

Support & Assure Project HSSE Planning

3. Project Monitoring and Reporting

Monitor and evaluate the implementation of HSSE measures on the project(s) and prepare regular reports on compliance, incidents, and corrective actions.

Ensure adherence and compliance to the UNOPS HSSE reporting requirements of project HSSE activities to ensure effective monitoring of project performance.

Analyze data and trends to identify potential risks and areas for improvement.

Contribute to the development of project progress reports and participate in project review meetings.

4. Stakeholder Management, Coordination, and Liaison

Collaborate with project stakeholders, including government authorities, contractors, and local communities to promote awareness and compliance with HSSE requirements.

Coordinate with relevant authorities and agencies to ensure adherence to applicable HSSE regulations and standards.

Participate in meetings, workshops, and training sessions to share knowledge and best practices on HSSE.

Support and implement Corporate HSSE initiatives to support the improvement of HSSE culture at both Country Office and project sites.

Coordination with Regional HSSE Specialists.

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation

Promote & Mainstream HSSE Culture across the MCO

Stay updated on emerging HSSE trends, technologies, and best practices and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Share lessons learned, success stories, and innovative approaches related to HSSE with the project team and stakeholders.

Contribute to the development of HSSE-related guidance documents, tools, and training materials.

Facilitate HSSE and PSEAH Trainings

Facilitate Training & Oversight of PSEAH as requested

6. Personnel Management

Provide guidance and support to project staff on HSSE matters, including training and capacity building initiatives.

Foster a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement within the project team.

Promote teamwork, collaboration, and a positive work environment among project staff.

Facilitate Capacity building and training program on HSSE

Support the HSSE Coordinator with the Management of the established HSSE Resource Pool

Note: The above summary of functions provides a general overview of the responsibilities and tasks associated with the HSSE Senior Officer position. Additional duties may be assigned based on the HAMCO specific requirements and the organization’s needs.

Impact of Results

The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Senior Officer (HSSE Senior Officer) directly impacts on achievement of the MCO Programme and Infrastructure unit specifically. Notably, The HSSE Senior Officer will contribute to implementing best practices in HSSE and overall organizational maturity in the related products.

This consequently reinforces the image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in Infrastructure project management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and Project Services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, Natural Science, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related field is required.

A combination of a Bachelor’s degree in the above subjects, along with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Additional certifications or specialized training in HSSE management, risk assessment, incident investigation or related areas are desirable.

Experience:

A minimum of at least two (2) years of experience in Construction, infrastructure, or development projects is required.
At least one (1) year demonstrated experience in implementing HSSE measures, conducting risk assessments, and developing HSSE plans and procedures is required.
Experience in providing technical assistance and guidance on HSSE issues to project teams and stakeholders is an asset.
Experience providing training on HSSE related topics is highly desirable;
Experience developing and implementing Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) is an advantage;
Knowledge of international HSSE standards, regulations, and best practices is preferred.
Familiarity with environmental management systems and sustainable practices is highly desirable.
Experience in monitoring and reporting on HSSE performance (leading and lagging indicators) is an asset.
Proven ability to engage and collaborate with stakeholders at various levels, including government agencies, contractors, and local communities is desired.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate HSSE concepts and promote a culture of safety is preferred.
Experience in personnel management, including training and capacity building initiatives, is desirable.
Familiar with planning tools such as MS Projects (or similar) and web-based applications and Google-Suite products, especially google docs, sheets, slides and form and other relevant software tools is desirable.
Strong problem-solving skills are an asset.