Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Associate - Occupational Health & Safety, Multiple positions

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 organisations. 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.

Project Background:

The project ‘Mozambique Northern Crisis Recovery Project-NCRP’  will be based in the City of Pemba with project offices in  different locations in Cabo Delgado Province. The Activities of NCRP will be aimed at  improving  access to basic services and economic opportunities for IDPs and Host communities  in targeted areas South of Cabo Delgado and returnee populations and host communities in the newly liberated Districts in the North of Cabo Delgado. The project comprises of 4 main components: 

Component 1:  Building Social Cohesion and Resilience to Conflict. This will include strengthening the capacity of community-based institutions and provision of social services for vulnerable households and individuals

Component 2: Provision of Livelihood and Economic Opportunities for IDPs and Host Communities through provision of support for the carrying out of livelihood recovery activities for IDPs and for host communities and Supporting jobs creation and professional skills development and Provision of support for the restoration of public administration services and climate resilient infrastructure

Component 3:  Rehabilitation, construction and equipment of public infrastructure in order to increase access to basic services and public infrastructure. This will include provision of support for site planning and basic services in relocation sites, Provision of medium-term durable solutions in relocation sites and poorly served host communities, Provision of support for the rehabilitation, construction, and equipment of community infrastructure.

Component 4: Project implementation, monitoring and evaluation that includes provision of support and technical assistance for implementation of project activities through financial management, procurement, safeguards, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation  and strengthening of technical capacity of local government and local agencies.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

As part of the World Bank’s requirements set out in the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), E&S instruments are currently developed to mitigate E&S risks and impacts of the Project. In addition, UNOPS’ HSSE stipulates a series of compliance issues specifically regarding infrastructure activities. 

UNOPS is looking for the services of an HSSE Associate - Occupational Health & Safety to support the Infrastructure Team in its tasks. The HSSE Associate will be required to work in any UNOPS Office in Northern Mozambique, with frequent travel to the Project activity sites covering one of the 17 districts of Cabo Delgado. 

The HSSE Associate - Occupational Health & Safety will be operating as part of the team managing and implementing the infrastructure related components of the Project. 

The HSSE Associate - Occupational Health & Safety is responsible for all aspects of health, safety and environment during the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply with/out direction, the duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria.

The HSSE Associate - Occupational Health & Safety will work under the guidance and supervision of and report to the respective Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Specialist to implement and monitor all aspects of health, safety, social and environmental during the procurement, design development and execution phases of the project.  

• Oversee, monitor and report on health, safety, social and environmental (HSSE) requirements established by UNOPS and World Bank which are applicable to the site-specific activities;
• Ensure that World Bank’s ESMF and UNOPS HSSE policies and procedures are addressed and implemented through the Project’s instruments;
• Ensure that appropriate HSSE mitigation measures from risk assessments are implemented fully on site;
• Conduct inspection and monitoring visits to all physical construction sites;
• Carrying out a series of spot checks to ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the HSSE instruments and World Bank standards;
• Support the implementation of HSSE correction measures;
• Compile checkpoint and highlight reports on HSSE risks, impacts, and mitigation measures;
• Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the implementation of the HSSE instruments;
• Support and deliver training programmes for project personnel, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders;
• Maintain up-to-date instructions and training for personnel on implementation of the HSSE instruments and World Bank standards, including required precautions, comprehensive listing of emergency supplies, and guidance on action taken during emergencies, including natural disasters and political crises.

Impact of Results 

• All project activities are successfully supervised and monitored against the Project’s E&S Instruments, including understanding of the risks and impacts and implementation of mitigation measures;
• Successful corrective measures are undertaken by UNOPS and all project partners where mitigation measures have failed;
• All reporting is developed with appropriate levels of quality and delivered as defined in the POM (Project Operations Manual);
• Staff capacity and that of all project partners regarding HSSE and World Bank standards is improved.

• Completion of Secondary School education and 7 years of relevant work experience is required;
• A Master's Degree in environmental and social studies or related subject(s) in combination with an additional 1 years' relevant experience is accepted; OR
• A Bachelor's Degree in environmental and social studies or related subject(s) in combination with an additional 3 years' relevant experience is accepted; OR
• A Technical/Professional Diploma in environmental and social studies or related subject(s) in combination with an additional 5 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Bachelor's degree;

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively experience in HSSE management is required;
• Direct experience with the United Nations Health, Safety and Environment Management Systems is an added advantage;
• Ability to implement Standing Operating Procedures in Health, Safety and Environment Risk is required;
• Assessments/Plans in accordance with a recognised body/methodology is an added advantage.

• Fluency in written and oral English and Portuguese is required.

• 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 is an EPP ICA Recruitment process.

• This position is NOT based in a family duty station.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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.