HSSE Senior Assistant

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Established in 2005, UNOPS Sudan is a key partner in advancing community well-being through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that support humanitarian, recovery, and sustainable development efforts. UNOPS contributes to improved access to clean water, supports peacekeeping operations, and assists in implementing the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement by helping operationalize the Permanent Ceasefire Committee for Darfur in collaboration with UNITAMS. Ongoing initiatives focus on enhancing access to water and strengthening health services across the country, with particular efforts in Kassala state to expand diagnostic capacity and upgrade healthcare infrastructure. Through these projects, UNOPS supports stability, resilience, and improved living conditions for communities across Sudan.

This position operates within a dynamic project environment in Sudan, supporting critical infrastructure projects. The role is essential to ensuring HSSE compliance at the field level, working closely with project teams and contractors to implement and maintain health, safety, social, and environmental management plans. The efficient execution of this role directly impacts the safety and well-being of project staff and the environmental sustainability of project activities.

The HSSE Senior Assistant supports field-level teams on HSSE compliance in all project locations, assists in reviewing and updating HSSE management plans, and supports project staff and contractors on various safety, health, social, and environmental-related matters. The role ensures the effective implementation of HSSE measures and contributes to a safe and sustainable project environment.

1. HSSE Compliance and Management Support

• Assist in 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.
• Support risk assessments and oversee the enforcement of preventative measures on HSSE for all project activities.
• Assist installations, maintenance and disposal of substances, plant and equipment etc., to ensure they are done in conformity with applicable laws and industry best practice.
• Actively assist the project to meet UNOPS HSE standards and to prepare for and meet the requirements of external audits for ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

2. HSSE Guidance and Training

• Assist and support project staff, and contractors, on various safety, health, social and environmental related matters related to project implementation.
• Assist the Project Manager in raising awareness on health and safety issues among project staff, and contractors and other stakeholders.
• Assist and/or co-facilitate HSSE training for UNOPS field project teams, contractors and other stakeholders on selected topics.
• Participate in regular site meetings to report on relevant HSSE matters and to provide necessary advice.

3. HSSE Reporting and Quality Assurance

• Assist in HSSE reporting and investigations follow-up with project teams to prepare reports on incidents (including near misses) and provide information for monthly HSSE reporting.
• Assist the programme of documented HSSE inspections, audits and checks, and follow-ups.
• Maintain relationships with clients by providing reliable and credible service in HSSE matters.
• Coordinate logistical and administrative support for HSSE-related project activities.
• Perform any other related tasks assigned by the supervisor.

4. Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on HSSE topics.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from HSSE project implementation.
• Conduct research on HSSE related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

Required

• Completion of secondary education is required with 5 years of experience.

• A Technical/Professional Diploma is required with 3 years of experience.

Desired

• Certification in NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health)

• A degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health, or a related field.

Required

• 5 Years of relevant experience in Health, Safety, Social, and Environmental (HSSE) management, compliance, or related fields is required, with the duration depending on the educational qualification as specified above.

Desired

• Experience working with international organizations or in conflict-affected settings. Demonstrated experience in the implementation or auditing of ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards.

• A proven track record of experience managing health and safety in construction, manufacturing, mining, orsimilar production environments.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• 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.