Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In particular, FAO provides a combination of humanitarian and basic needs/non-humanitarian assistance to female and male farmers and herders across Afghanistan in the agriculture, livestock, irrigation and natural resources sub-sectors through its projects and programs, as described in the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) 2023-2025, specifically under UNSFA Priority 2 Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) or Deputy FAO Representative (DFAOR) in Afghanistan. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the International Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist and the overall guidance of the Head of Programme Unit. The direct supervisor or as assigned, will be responsible for all day-to-day supervision, technical guidance and performance evaluation.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide relevant technical assistance for efficient implementation of the Environmental and Social Safeguards requirements of FAO activities with a particular focus on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide overall technical guidance on OHS in line with FAO’s global policy.
• Ensure compliance with FAO Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM), World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), donor Environmental and Social Safeguards requirements and the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines.
• Support the coordination and monitoring of the preparation of OHS risk assessments, OHS hazard identification/inventories and an OHS action plan, including measurable objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Prepare generic and site-specific Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan (OHSMP).
• Develop checklists, guidance notes, and implementation tools for FAO field team to enable effective OHS compliance monitoring.
• Support the Implementing Partners (IPs)/ Contractual Partners (CPs) to develop implementation tools to ensure OHS compliance and documentation.
• Design and deliver training/outreach activities on OHS to FAO team, IPs/CPs, and workers on a monthly basis or as may be required.
• Coordinate with the Compliance team in the development of the OHS incident reporting system, their classification and analysis.
• Ensure the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene and safe work practices for all workers.
• Prepare/review incident fact finding reports in coordination with the field teams and Compliance team including root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, and monitor implementation of corrective actions and ensure proper documentation.
• Ensure proper documentation of all OHS aspects and maintain a weekly dashboard on OHS issues including but not limited to workplace incidents, accidents, unsafe practices, and near misses across different projects.
• Work closely with the Compliance team and ensure effective monitoring of OHS based on Environmental Code of Practice (ECoP), ESMP, ESMF and OHSMP through internal and external site audit/inspections on a bi-monthly basis or as may be required.
• Carry out joint diagnostic walkthrough with the Mirabs, community and the technical staff for the identification of OHS compliance on site.
• Monitor the implementation of OHSMP on a regular basis for all FAO projects.
• Prepare reports including monthly, bi-monthly, monthly, bi-annually or annually, as may be required for internal and external purposes including, but not limited to, aspects on OHS performance, compliance status, and recommendations/corrective actions for improvement.
• Draft relevant correspondence related to progress and report.
• Respond to queries on OHS and advise in consultation with the relevant unit/s.
• Perform any other duties as may be required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health, Environmental Health or a closely related field.
• Six 6 years of relevant experience in occupational health or environmental health. At least 4 years of UN or INGO experience is desirable.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and local language(s) (Pashto and/or Dari).
• National of Afghanistan.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good knowledge of international safeguards requirements on OHS and related regulations in the country.
• Ability to develop OHS management plans and required documentation on OHS.
• Ability to provide guidance and training on OHS related issues.
• Previous work experience with the UN / INGOs for at least 4years on OHS will be considered as a strong asset;
• Good documentation and presentation skills will be an asset.
• Ability to travel extensively to the field offices.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION