SKA-Mid HSE Officer

Job level: Junior
Work location: Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Period of Contract: 6 years
Contract type: Long term contract
Closing date: 14 June 2022

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Telescope is an international effort by more than a dozen countries to build the world’s largest, most advanced radio telescopes in South Africa and Australia. Both South Africa and Australia are co-host members of the SKA Observatory (SKAO), a UK-based intergovernmental organisation responsible for the construction and operation of the SKA telescopes.

The first phase of the SKA will consist of two telescopes:
South Africa will host the mid-frequency telescope (SKA-Mid). SKA-Mid will comprise up to 197 dishes spread along spiral arms spanning 150 km in the Karoo, Northern Cape. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), a facility of the National Research Foundation, is responsible for managing all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in South Africa, including the MeerKAT Radio Telescope, a precursor to the SKA telescope.

Australia will host the SKA’s low-frequency telescope (SKA-Low). SKA-Low will comprise up to 131,072 antennas in clusters along spiral arms spanning 65 km at CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) in WA.

The SKA-Mid HSE Officers will form part of the SKAO Site Management Team reporting to the SKA-Mid HSE Manager. The HSE Officer(s) will be based on the SKA Site in the Karoo on a full-time basis (85 km outside the town of Carnarvon in the Northern Cape), and be willing to reside in Carnarvon.

This individual will assist the SKAO HSE Manager with the development and implementation of the SKAO HSE Programme.

Key Responsibilities:

• Reporting directly to the SKAO – HSE Manager
• Responding to contractor HSE communication and escalating, where necessary, to the SKAO HSE Manager
• Will be required to reside in Carnarvon and be based on the SKA site at Carnarvon in the Karoo, Northern Cape on a full-time basis
• Assist in coordinating the efforts with site medical services (including emergency evacuation and disaster management),
• Maintaining surveillance, and monitoring compliance to contractors’ HSE Plans,
• In liaison with each construction work package NEC Supervisor/NEC Project Manager, monitoring HSE practice on the SKA site
• In liaison with each construction work package NEC Supervisor/NEC Project Manager, receiving accident, incident and near-miss reports as required
• Assisting the NEC Supervisor/NEC Project Manager with security related efforts
• Regularly visiting construction areas, site facilities and installations and report all health and safety non-compliance and deficiencies
• Recording all significant visits and site HSE control reports
• Administering the HSE policies and procedures, visitor, and new employee induction training
• Attending all relevant site HSE meetings
• Assisting in the preparation and review of HSE management plans, procedures, training material, awareness campaigns and contractor awards
• Controlling the maintenance of site-specific HSE requirements
• In liaison with the Site Entity (SARAO), coordinating HSE inductions for visitor access and new employees
• If required, representing SKAO in visits or investigations by government departments, statutory authorities, and insurance agencies
• Participating in all relevant H&S training
• Reporting to the SKAO HSE Manager on specific or critical HSE issues
• In liaison with the NEC Supervisor, advising the NEC Project Manager, SKAO HSE Manager and SKAO Construction Director if contractors have substantially broken a health, safety or environmental regulation and monitor subsequent rectification in accordance with Core Clause 91.3 of NEC4 Contract
• In liaison with relevant third parties, contributing and developing continuous HSE improvement observations and recommendations.

Key requirements:
Qualification:

• A recognised Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety (SAMTRAC / NEBOSH) with a minimum of 5 years’ experience on a construction site; or
• A recognised Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety with a minimum of 3 years’ experience on a construction site,
• Registered with SACPCMP as a Construction Health and Safety Officer (CHSO)
• Valid driver’s license (essential)

Experience:

• One or more of COMSOC 2, NEBOSH certificate, SAMTRAC or equivalent certificates
• Auditing and inspection experience
• Experience in building strong people relationships and participating in a team
• Knowledge and interpretation of HSE Management Systems, procedures and policies, including document control
• Health, Safety, Construction
• Proven track record in working with contractors on construction sites
• Risk Management.

Knowledge:

• Proven knowledge of the Occupational H&S Act and Regulations (e.g. Legal Liability, Construction Regulations)
• Proven knowledge of Hazard Identification and Risk Management Processes (e.g. HIRA)
• Project processes

Additional notes:
Ability of:

• Solve problems and resolve conflict
• Provide recommendations in respect of health and safety compliance that are practical and pragmatic
• Ability to operate alone and within a team under pressure
• Self-motivating with a positive attitude
• Ability to learn new software packages used during construction
• Ability and willingness to travel between various Northern Cape locations and be prepared to reside in Carnarvon and be based on site on a permanent basis.

Organisational values
The SKA- Senior HSE Officer will be expected to demonstrate the SARAO and SKAO’s values, and to work actively to instill those behaviours in all SKA-Mid staff in South Africa.

SKAO’s values are:

• Diversity and Inclusion
• Excellence
• Collaboration
• Creativity and Innovation
• Sustainability

SARAO’s values are:

• Passion for Excellence
• World-class service
• People-centered
• Respect
• Integrity and Ethics
• Accountability

Information:

The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Applications:

Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment and apply online. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant’s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan. The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment. Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only.