Regional Health and Safety Lead

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WSP is one of the most diverse consulting firms in Africa, and the largest environmental consulting firm globally. To further our strategic business execution plan, we are seeking leaders who share our guiding principles – we value our people and our reputation; we are locally dedicated with international scale; we are future-focused and challenge the status quo; we foster collaboration; we have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable.

Job Description

Reporting to the Regional Managing Director Africa, the Regional Health and Safety Lead will support the WSP Africa business in all aspects of health and safety management while ensuring that global policies and requirements are interpreted, communicated and implemented.

The Lead will be responsible for the maintenance of the existing health and safety management system while ensuring that revisions and new policies and procedures are developed and implemented as necessary, taking into account global initiatives and directives, and changes to local operating requirements and legislation. While strong guidance and direction is provided by global HSE, local requirements in the region and at country level must be supported with the development and implementation of policy, procedures and tools to ensure local compliance.

The Lead will act as an advisor to the senior leadership team, ensuring that they are properly informed at all times regarding relevant health and safety matters while providing guidance to major projects and assisting with key client relationships where health and safety is concerned.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Regional Managing Director Africa and the Business Unit Managing Directors in all aspects of health and safety management;
• Understand and communicate global HSEQ requirements to the senior leadership team and implement at all relevant levels of the regional business;
• Define, document and implement regional and country level strategy, policies and procedures as dictated by local needs and changes as they occur;
• Lead, mentor and support the health and safety team ensuring that all functions relating to the planning and provision of health and safety support services are effectively discharged;
• Ensure that all aspects of the health and safety management system are effectively maintained, meeting the requirements of WSP Global HSEQ, legislation, regional leadership and audit criteria;
• Facilitate audits and inspections ensuring that the required information is available and presented and that findings and recommendations are assessed and implemented;
• Facilitate the investigation of incidents that occur ensuring that WSP global HSEQ and local legislative requirements are met and that meaningful actions to prevent a recurrence are implemented, guiding the parts of the business responsible for such actions;
• Provide direct support to major projects for key clients as requested from time to time ensuring that the WSP project execution teams are effectively supported and direct, senior level health and safety involvement is demonstrated to the client;
• Compile and submit monthly and other reports on health and safety support and performance as required.

Health and Safety:

• Role model standards for HSSE performance and behaviour consistent with the company’s health, safety, environmental and quality vision and policies by influencing those around you
• Contributing to the identification of HSSE risks and driving processes to achieve Zero Harm through the diligent application of the WSP Lifesaving Actions
• Embracing, displaying and promoting the company values and assisting both office and field personnel in ensuring that a safe working environment is maintained at all times

Qualifications

• A Degree or National Diploma in Health & Safety or similar with a recognised institution;
• SAMTRAC, NEBOSH or equivalent;
• Registration with SAIOSH preferred and SACPCMP advantageous;
• Training and experience in implementation or auditing of ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 compliant management systems;
• Minimum of 10 years experience in health and safety management at senior level within an organisation with experience leading health and safety on major projects; including 5 years in a leadership role.
• Development and implementation of HSE management systems and plans for mining, engineering and construction related projects in a lead project based role;
• Experience in health and safety management in countries across the Africa region;
• International work experience outside of Africa and travel safety and security management advantageous;
• Valid Drivers licence.

Key Competencies and Generic Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety standards and relevant South African legislation;
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including as a minimum Word, Excel and Powerpoint;
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written;
• The ability to work with a diverse group of colleagues, clients and contractors from a variety of backgrounds, social circumstances and levels of education;
• Demonstrable ability to interact and lead effectively at all levels within the organisation and client and contractor organisations including senior management, middle management and supervision and labour;
• The ability to work unsupervised while delivering at a high level;
• An understanding of the needs of the business in the consulting environment and the ability to lead the delivery of effective health and safety support to internal clients in a manner which supplements and enhances their deliverables while ensuring efficiency of their effort in meeting health and safety requirements.

Additional Information

What's in it for you?

What if we can have work-life balance? What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs? What if we can be accepted for who we are? Here at WSP – we can!

WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important – be that our families, our friends or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish time will help with this let us know as part of your application.

As well as rewarding you with competitive pay, WSP offers standard benefits including first class medical cover, generous days annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions.

Be you, be happy - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects and maximizes the contribution individuals can bring to WSP. We recognize the benefits that people with varying backgrounds and experiences can bring. Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.