GESI and HSSE Senior Associate

Job Highlight

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical health infrastructure project in Bangladesh, directly impacting public health and environmental safety. The role offers significant exposure to national and international stakeholders, allowing the incumbent to apply specialized expertise in GESI and HSSE within a challenging and rewarding development context, fostering sustainable solutions and inclusive practices.

About The Project Office

Since 2003, UNOPS has partnered with the Government of Bangladesh and key development partners to advance national development priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNOPS supports a range of projects focused on capacity development and infrastructure, leveraging its expertise in procurement, human resource management, finance, and project management to deliver efficient, sustainable solutions.

Role Purpose

The GESI and HSSE Senior Associate is responsible for coordinating and managing integrated GESI and HSSE processes to support effective and compliant project implementation. The role applies established UNOPS requirements, procedures, standards and relevant technical practices to coordinate implementation, monitor compliance, maintain quality of outputs, and support continuous improvement of related processes and services.

The incumbent works closely with project teams, contractors and other stakeholders to facilitate the consistent implementation of GESI and HSSE requirements, identify issues requiring attention, coordinate follow-up actions, and contribute to practical improvements in service delivery.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Planning, Compliance, and Risk Management
• Coordinate the preparation and timely submission of all HSSE documentation in accordance with UNOPS requirements and established procedures.
• Coordinate the review and updating of HSSE management plans to ensure they remain current and aligned with project needs.
• Monitor compliance with UNOPS HSSE requirements across all project phases.
• Coordinate risk assessments and follow up on the implementation of preventive and corrective measures for identified HSSE risks and hazards.
• Coordinate GESI risk and opportunity assessments to identify potential barriers to participation and inclusion.
• Monitor the implementation of measures to minimize hazards and environmental impacts, promoting adherence to regulations and standards.
• Monitor contractor compliance with approved HSSE plans and coordinate follow up actions and recommendations for improvement.
• Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation
• Coordinate regular and ad hoc field inspections and monitoring visits to project sites, document findings and identifying non-conformities.Coordinate the preparation and follow-up of incident reports and investigations, ensuring that agreed corrective actions and follow-up of measures are appropriately tracked to closure. .
• Compile and review monthly HSSE reports and relevant indicators to support project monitoring and follow-up.
• Contribute to the preparation and consolidation of GESI monitoring reports, including information on participation and inclusion indicators.
• Maintain monitoring and reporting records related to GBV risk mitigation activities and ensure that sensitive matters are appropriately referred and escalated
• Maintain accurate and timely reporting in OUC in accordance with applicable UNOPS standards.
• Capacity Building and Awareness
• Coordinate and facilitate GESI/HSSE awareness and capacity-building activities for personnel, contractors, and relevant stakeholders.awareness-raising activities on Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) and GBV sensitization, in accordance with established UNOPS standards
• Coordinate training and awareness activities for project personnel, partners, and other relevant stakeholders
• Adapt existing communication, awareness, and training materials related to environmental and social safeguards good practices.
• Assist with the dissemination of Codes of Conduct and awareness materials.
• Maintain records of training and awareness activities and follow up on identified capacity-building needs.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
• Coordinate regular HSSE meetings with contractors and the UNOPS project team, document agreed actions and monitor follow-ups.
• Coordinate with project teams to support the implementation of accessible, inclusive, and responsive consultation and grievance mechanisms. s.
• Coordinate the implementation of established PSEAH initiatives and relevant
• stakeholder actions.
• Maintain effective working relationships with project personnel, contractors and relevant stakeholders to facilitate information exchange, issue resolution and timely follow-up
• Identify opportunities to improve the coordination and integration of GESI and HSSE processes and make practical recommendations to the Project Manager.
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by the project manager to ensure successful project delivery.
  
  

Education Requirements

Required

• High School Diploma.
  
  

Desired

• A Bachelor’s degree preferably in Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health, Engineering, Risk Management, Gender, Social Inclusion, Human Rights, International Relations, or any other relevant field, OR
• Master’s degree preferably in the above-mentioned areas or relevant field may substitute some of the required years of experience
  
  

Required

Experience Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience (or less depending on academic credentials) in Health, Safety, Social, and Environmental (HSSE) management of projects is required.
• Proven experience in conducting health and safety risk assessments, inspections, incident investigations, and facilitating related training sessions is required.
• Experience in the use of computers and software packages (Google Suite/Workspace Office) and experience in handling web-based systems are required.
  
  

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.