Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

UN Women

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN-Women will lead and coordinate the United Nations System's efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. The UN Women Security & Safety Services within the Division of Management and Administration reporting to the Executive Director, is responsible for all aspects of security and safety management for UN Women.

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Global Security Advisor, the Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Specialist leads and is responsible for all aspects of the UN Women Occupational Health and Safety strategy and policy. The OHS Manager will maintain and where necessary, develop further related policy and strategies for the organization, whilst providing advice, assistance, education and support to UN Women Headquarters, Regional, Multi-Country, Country Offices, and UN Women Security Field personnel with regard their occupational safety and health responsibilities. Additionally, where applicable, the OHS Manager will review and analyze OHS incidents within the organization and where necessary, carry out appropriate investigations. The responsibilities are aligned to UN & UN Women policies, procedures and guidelines to minimize the risk to UN Women personnel, assets, and operations, whilst at the same time enable UN Women programme delivery throughout the organization. The UN Women OHS Manager will provide management and oversight to ensure that the organisation adheres to the UN System's mandated Occupational Health and Safety strategy and policies at all levels of UN Women globally.

The duty station will be Nairobi, Kenya, whilst the position will be required to complete international mission travel as required. 

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

Provide technical support, guidance, and advice to the CO/MCO/RO:

- Provide timely and accurate Occupational Safety and Health (OHS) advice and recommendations to the CO/MCO/RO.
- Clarify, interpret, and implement existing UN and UN Women OHS regulation and guidance.
- Design and implement reporting system for maintaining and analyzing records of all safety and health activities, including accident and injury data, workplace inspections, and training and education.
- Ensure timely reporting of any accidents or injuries and that any required reports are filed promptly.
- Provide recommendations regarding effective OHS risk prevention, including recommendations for possible UN Women support needs and improvements.
- Conduct outreach missions to regional and field offices to deliver OHS training and to assess OHS risk and assist offices in developing and implementing preventative measures.
- Provide remote OHS support to UN Women personnel, offices, programmes and projects.
- Advise and support UN Women OHS Focal points with regard UN Women online OHS systems.
Liaise with and participate in the global OHS community:

- Liaise and coordinate with UN OHS community on development of policies, guidelines, training material and exchange of best practices.
- Participate as a member of OHS and UNOHSM working groups as directed by the UN Women Global Security Advisor.
- Provide an advisory presence at various internal and external fora.
- Represent UN Women on behalf of the Global Security Advisor at OHS meetings, and attends OHS workshops/training sessions, working groups and conferences as needed.
Collect, update, and communicate OHS information:

- Conducting regular workplace inspections, analyzing accident and injury data, and identifying trends and patterns that may indicate the presence of hazards.
- Monitor changes in the workplace that may affect the safety and health of employees, such as the work environment,  new equipment, processes, activities, etc.
- Provide updates and information to HQ in relation to the Security and Safety Services intranet portal and documentation.
- Dissemination of OHS information and measures to personnel.
Develop, maintain, manage and implement the UN Women OHS Plan:

- Manage the preparation and review of the UN Women Security OHS plan and provide technical support in its implementation.
- Provide advice and recommendations in the selection and purchasing of equipment that might affect OHS of UN Women personnel.
- Develop standards that will assist offices in purchasing OHS equipment.
Monitor, manage and implement UN Women compliance of the OHS measures identified in the UN Women Security and Safety Compliance System (SSCS):

- Conduct annual review of OHS measures in the SSCS survey and provide guidance on adjustments.
- Provide technical support to and advise the UN Women OHS Focal Points in the completion and updating of the SSCS.
- Provide technical support to and advise the UN Women OHS Focal Points in the evaluation and implementation of the UN Women OHS Compliance Action Plan (SSCAP).
- Provide technical advisory support to the Security OHS Focal Points for the UN Women Security and Safety Compliance Enhancement Funding (SSCEF).
- Provide technical support to OHS compliance input of all UN Women offices, projects and programmes, including programme process.
Report OHS incidents affecting UN Women personnel:

- Provide guidance to HQ/RO/MCO/CO/PPOs on OHS reporting.
- Collate information and provide OHS reports as necessary.
- Oversee OHS evaluations and surveys of HQ/RO/MCO/CO/PPOs.
- Conduct OHS investigations of serious incidents as directed.,
- Develop accurate and timely written OHS briefings; inputs to HLCM and similar high-level documents, add inputs to position papers from a field perspective.
Develop and conduct training courses on OHS awareness, preparedness, mainstreaming, and specialized OHS functions:

- Developing and implementing OHS programmes to minimize or eliminate hazards. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures, such as mental health and wellbeing, emergency evacuation plans, fire and road safety plans, hygiene plans, etc. The OHS manager must also ensure that these programmes are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in the workplace or new regulations.
- Assist Security and Safety Services staff to deliver OHS training sessions.
- Responsible for coordinating with other departments within the organization to ensure that OHS policies and procedures are integrated into all aspects of the UN Women operations. This includes working with the human resource and facilities departments to ensure that safety and health policies are included in the employee induction programme, premises management, etc.;
- Closely cooperate with other UN Women departments, sections and offices to ensure that safety and health policies are integrated into relevant procedures.
- Identify, develop and deliver specialized OHS training under the guidance of the Global Security Advisor.
Manage OHS programme budget and finances:

- Manage the OHS annual work plan and related budget, initiate budget revisions for approval.
- Prepare OHS budgets as well as completion of OHS related UN Women SSCEF funding requests.
- Provide substantive OHS inputs to UN Women BWP/SN, programme appraisal bodies, and related budgets.
- Monitor and support allotted UN Women OHS funds to budget and utilize them in a timely manner.
- Monitor that costs and expenditures remain within budget and approved limits through the monitoring of monthly budget reports.
- Keep the Global Security Advisor updated on expenditures in the operational budget and follow closely remaining expenditure.
- Handle budget closures and prepare reports as per HQ processes.
- Ensure that all projects and programmes contribute resources to implementation of OHS measures.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation. This includes but is not limited to maintaining liaison with other UN and non-UN organizations OHS focal points.

Competencies :

Core Values:

- Integrity;
- Professionalism;
- Respect for Diversity.
Core Competencies:

- Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
- Accountability;
- Creative Problem Solving;
- Effective Communication;
- Inclusive Collaboration;
- Stakeholder Engagement;
- Leading by Example.
Please visit this link for more information on UN Women's Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

- Excellent knowledge of occupational health and safety risk management.
- Excellent knowledge of health, wellbeing and medical structures and processes 
- Excellent knowledge of countries situations and laws, related to OHS.
- Ability to be client focused.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Ability to create, edit and present information in clear, presentable and concise formats.
- Ability to build effective client relationships and partnerships.
- Ability to interact at all levels of staff/organization.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to provide guidance and support to others.
- Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time.
- Ability to develop creative solutions.
- Ability to function effectively in crisis and stressful circumstances. 

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and Certification:       

•             Master's degree or equivalent in occupational health and safety management, business administration, leadership, political/social science, psychology, international relations or a related field is required.

•             A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

•             A certification in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, safety risk management, or equivalent from a national or international professional society/board is desirable.

Experience:        

•             A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant experience within the extensive field of OHS is required.

•             Experience with management of health and safety reporting systems is required.

•             Experience in conducting assessments, incident investigation and delivery of training is required.

•             Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.

•             Experience working in the UN System is desirable.

Languages:         

•             Fluency in English is required.

•             Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women's policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

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Sector:

Role:

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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