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 complex humanitarian and development environment in Sudan, supporting critical health, water, and resilience infrastructure projects across multiple states. The role is essential for ensuring compliance with local and UNOPS HSSE standards, promoting a safe workplace, and minimizing environmental impacts in project implementation amidst ongoing conflict and displacement challenges.

Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Associate takes responsibility for supporting a complete, specialized administrative process related to occupational health and safety from start to finish, ensuring its integrity and compliance with UNOPS and local regulations.

Project HSSE Management and Implementation: 

• Under the supervision of the Project Manager, support field-level teams on HSSE compliance in all project locations, ensuring adherence to UNOPS and local regulations.

• 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.

• 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, contractors, and other stakeholders.

• Support risk assessments and oversee the enforcement of preventative measures on HSSE for all project activities.

• Assist and/or co-facilitate HSSE training for UNOPS field project teams, contractors, and other stakeholders on selected topics.

• 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.

• 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.

• Participate in regular site meetings to report on relevant HSSE matters and to provide necessary advice.

• Actively assist the project in meeting UNOPS HSE standards and to prepare for and meet the requirements of external audits for ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

• Perform frequent field visits to verify that contractors are implementing HSSE plans as required as UNOPS policies.

Documentation and System Management:

• Maintain and regularly update the project's HSSE risk registry, tracking mitigation measures and their effectiveness.

• Manage the filing and archiving of all HSSE-related documentation, including permits, licenses, inspection reports, and training records.

• Ensure that all HSSE related documentation is communicated to relevant personnel in a timely and accessible manner.

• Support the project team in preparing for internal and external audits by maintaining "audit-ready" documentation at all times.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Assist in the development and operation of a project-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to address community and worker concerns related to HSSE and social impacts.

• Support the Project Manager in liaising with relevant local government authorities, regulatory bodies, and other UN agencies on HSSE matters, as required.

Emergency Preparedness and Response:

• Assist in the preparation and updating of project-specific Emergency Response Plans (ERP).

• Coordinate and document emergency response drills and exercises, including fire safety, first aid, and evacuation procedures, to ensure staff readiness.

Environmental Stewardship:

• Monitor the implementation of site-specific environmental procedures, including waste management (segregation, storage, disposal), water use, and pollution control.

• Assist in documenting and tracking key environmental performance indicators for monthly and quarterly reports.

Worker Welfare and Social Aspects:

• Support the monitoring of working conditions, ensuring compliance with labor standards and UNOPS' policies on worker accommodation and welfare facilities.

• Contribute to the identification of potential social risks related to project activities, such as land access or involuntary resettlement, and support their management under the guidance of the Project Manager.

Required

• High School Diploma with 6 years of relevant experience OR

• Technical/Professional Diploma with 4 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Technical/Professional Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or related field.

• Certification in ISO 14001 or OHSAS 18001.

Required

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in health, safety, social, and environmental management, preferably in construction or infrastructure projects. 

• Experience in conducting risk assessments and implementing preventative measures.

• Experience in delivering HSSE training.

Desired

• Experience working in a humanitarian or conflict-affected environment.

• Experience with UNOPS or other UN agency HSSE standards and procedures.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that 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. 
• 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. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

• 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.