Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Specialist - Occupational Health & Safety

Organizational Context

UNOPS operates in Latin America and the Caribbean across 23 countries, focusing on delivering high-impact infrastructure and public health solutions to foster sustainable development and enhance quality of life. The Haiti Country Office, established in 2004, partners with government and international organizations to implement critical infrastructure projects, strengthen public services, and improve lives through engineering expertise and governance support.

Job Purpose

The Health, Safety, Social, and Environmental (HSSE) Lead provides technical leadership and strategic direction for HSSE governance across UNOPS' infrastructure portfolio in Haiti. This role ensures compliance with UNOPS policies, national legislation, and international development partner safeguard requirements. The HSSE Lead supervises and guides HSSE personnel, coordinates their activities, and monitors performance to ensure consistent HSSE implementation. They act as the primary focal point for environmental and social safeguards, contractor compliance, incident management, emergency preparedness, and liaison with international financing institutions, contributing to the PMO's assurance architecture and contractor capacity development.

Responsibilities

The HSSE Lead is responsible for establishing and improving the HSSE governance framework, ensuring consistent application of UNOPS policies, and advising senior management on HSSE risks and priorities. This includes promoting a proactive safety culture and integrating HSSE into all project phases. The role involves direct technical supervision of HSSE personnel, coordinating their deployment, reviewing their work, and supporting their professional development. The HSSE Lead provides expert guidance and quality assurance for infrastructure projects, reviews contractor HSSE plans, conducts compliance reviews and audits, and verifies emergency preparedness. Additionally, the role includes designing and delivering training programs, leading contractor capacity-building initiatives, managing incident reporting and investigations, and serving as the main liaison with International Financial Institutions on HSSE and safeguard matters.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressive experience in HSSE management is required, with specific experience in infrastructure construction projects, risk assessment, contractor management, and compliance monitoring. Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams is also necessary. Desired experience includes working with International Financial Institutions, in complex operational environments, and with UN organizations.

Skills

Emergency Planning, Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS), Leadership Development, Quality Management, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance Auditing.

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