JOB DESCRIPTION
Background Information – Job-specific
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
Working with us
UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.
Diversity
With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.
Work life harmonization
UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.
UNOPS HSSE
The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) Management unit falls under the UNOPS Shared Services Centre (SSC) Group. It is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of HSSE good practices in UNOPS projects and operations in line with UNOPS policies, UN common system standards and international best practices.
Under the direct supervision of the Health and Safety Specialist and overall guidance from the HSSE Head of Unit, the HSSE Senior Assistant will be responsible for supporting a variety of tasks, work packages and projects with the HSSE Management team at UNOPS Headquarters in Copenhagen.
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Duties and responsibilities may comprise, but are not limited to, the following:
1. HSSE Management System
- Support the HS Specialist in monitoring progress and implementing work packages for the HS programme and plan including the preparation of actions to be taken on key objectives and targets from the HS plan and tracking progress against the set deadlines.
- Assist during preparation of HS reviews and inspections by organising meetings, gathering necessary documents, maintaining review records and compiling review trails.
- Support in continuous improvement of incident management by improving hazard identification, incident reporting/investigation, and sharing lessons learned . The support involves updating incident library databases, creating campaign materials and posters and collaborating with relevant units to ensure quality, and preparing campaign reports.
2. Monitoring of HS Performance and Supporting training
- Contribute to corporate HS initiatives and knowledge networks by assisting with the collection of data on trends, risks, and opportunities. Share learned lessons and best practices through collaborative analysis.
- Use electronic HS systems and tools to initiate work, share information with colleagues, and help ensure proper implementation of the HS digital system for projects and facilities. Assist country teams in using key functionalities of the HS digitised system and maintain accurate records.
- Coordinate the development and maintenance of the internal HS training files and the external HS training program including assisting the external service provider with course additions, participant enrollment, and training record analysis
- Assist the HS Specialist with the review and monitoring of HS performance through tracking of HS issues through the HS digital and manual systems
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3. Knowledge management and communication
- Assist the HSSE team in collecting feedback, suggestions, and internal knowledge on occupational health and safety protocols and best practices so that this information can be utilised to create and improve internal guidelines for health and safety processes.
- Maintenance of systems and procedures to improve communication flow within the team to meet team demands and requirements
- Establish and maintain constant communication with the HSSE network and provide support with updating of the HSSE intranet and screening of in-coming communication to the HSSE mailbox
- Support the team with the creation of progress reports, dashboards, etc.; and perform any other ad hoc tasks in support of the team activities as requested
4. Administrative Support
- Provide effective administration and support on HS projects and/or activities, as may be required in the team.
- Take minutes during meetings and finalise overall meeting reports with input from other team members
- Support HSSE administration tasks including procurement exercises, supporting HSSE retainers assignments and payments, and logistics and coordination prior to HSSE events, campaigns and missions
| Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. |
| Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. |
| Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). |
| Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. |
| Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. |
| Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. |
| Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. |
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
- Minimum secondary school diploma or high school diploma.
- A university degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Civil Engineering, Environmental Management, Social Development, Sustainability or other relevant discipline is strongly preferred and can compensate for some of the required years of experience.
Experience
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in HSSE is required with a high school diploma, while a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience is required with a first-level University degree preferably in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, Political Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.
- Strong computer literacy as well experience using Google Workspace, preferably Google sheet, Google doc, Google slides and Google drive, is required.
- Professional experience in an international context or development is highly desirable.
Languages
- Fluency in English is required
- Knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be considered an asset
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA
Contract level: LICA5
Contract duration: 1 year (Renewable based on funds availability and performance)
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
- 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.
Terms and Conditions
- 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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.