Vacant Post – Senior SHEQ Officer

Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Skilled / Middle Management
Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date: 05 May 2023

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 South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

* Purpose:

To advise and responsible for ensuring compliance with health and safety, environmental regulations and quality control.

* Management of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality programmes and coordinate all ISO systems within the organisation in order to meet the requirements.

Key Responsibilities:
* Developing and maintaining Policies, Procedures, General Safety documentation, Mini HIRA’s, Health and Safety Risks and Legal Compliances
* Implementing and maintaining ISO certification process for the organisation
* Managing, investigating and reporting on incidents, statistics, audits, hazards, surveys, COIDA and general assessments on a regular basis
* SARAO staff training and awareness on health and safety culture
* Conducting continuous risk assessment and management for all SARAO sites
* Development of construction health and safety specifications for tenders
* Managing and Assessing health risks, updating occupational health documentations, and health legal compliances
* Manage and continuous monitoring of the provision of comprehensive primary healthcare and ambulance services, including communication with the DOH on legal matters
* Managing activities of the emergency evacuation drills and health risk at least once per year at all SARAO sites
* Developing implementing and continuous monitoring of the SARAO Environmental Management System including required Environment documentation process
* Training, quality awareness, implementation and maintaining of the Quality culture at SARAO
* Leading and monitor implementation and maintaining of Quality Assurance internal and external timeously audits and reviews – including Calibration
* Supervise and monitor the implementation and maintaining of the Total Quality Management System (TQMS), required Standards, general Specifications, inspection, testing, and NDE requirements
* Advising and coordinate SARAO Emergency Management Team (EMT)
* Monitor Emergency Response Procedures and Incident Response Levels
* Assessing, identifying and advising on ergonomics health

Key Requirements:
Qualification:
* National Diploma in the relevant field (Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental or Quality)
* SACPCMP registered Professional Construction Health & Safety agent (PrCHSA)
* NEBOSCH certification (advantageous)
* Valid Driver’s License
* 8 years’ experience as a SHEQ Officer of which 3 years to be in a supervisory/management capacity preferably in engineering project, operations, construction, infrastructure, design and development environment
* Audit and implementation competency of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
* Computer literate in MS Office (Power Point Presentation, Excel, Word, etc)

Experience:
* ISO 9001, ISO14001, ISO 45001, and OHSAS 18001 and training
* HSE management during development, construction, and operational phase of projects
* Health, Safety and Environment Management Systems, Environmental Laws and Regulations, Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and its Regulations,
* Incident Management, Incident Investigation by using systemized tools, HSE Auditing Techniques,
* Risk management (Identify areas of risk and develop measure to eliminate, reduce and control them)
* Quality assurance management
* Accessing external and internal based SHEQ document Management Systems
* GAP analysis procedure in Health Safety and Environment
* SHEQ awareness, cultural and training including
* Leading and managing a team

Knowledge:
* Application of Health, Safety, Environmental legislation (including knowledge of OHSACT)
* Relevant ISO standards and auditing (ISO9001, 45001 and 14001)
* Application of the principles and practices of SHEQ and Risk management
* Good understanding and working knowledge of relevant legislation that has reference to the environment (i.e., NEMA, NWA, NEM: WA, MPRDA etc.)
* The OHS ACT and the required regulations including the Construction Industry Legislation and Regulations
* Interpretation of SHEQ Management Systems, procedures and policies including document control

Additional Notes:
* Excellent people management skills such as leadership, team work, interpersonal, coaching, mentoring and supervisory skills
* Ability to plan, set goals; and manage time, priorities, resources, accountabilities, schedules and cost
* Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
* Ability to solve problems, interpreting and analyzing report, provides and implements recommendations
* Be thorough and pay attention to detail
* Good incident and accident investigation skills, must follow protocol, take lead, implement corrective action and close out the investigations as per prescribed timelines
* Good Safety acumen
* Self-motivated and assertive
* Willingness and ability to travel nationally

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.

Closing Date: 05 May 2023
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