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 HSSE within a challenging and rewarding development context, fostering sustainable solutions and inclusive practices.

ABOUT THE REGION

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

ABOUT THE COUNTRY/MULTI-COUNTRY OFFICE

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

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.

JOB SPECIFIC CONTEXT

As part of the “Integrated Medical Waste Program for the Advanced Community Transformation (IMPACT)” Project in Bangladesh, this role plays a pivotal part in bolstering the national health system. The position enhances medical waste management capabilities across six climate-vulnerable government hospitals. Executed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), with funding from TAKEDA Pharmaceuticals, the HSSE Senior Associate leads project execution to mitigate contamination and lower outbreak risks. This is achieved by seamlessly integrating HSSE best practices while upholding standards for gender equality, social inclusion, health, safety, and the environment.

ROLE PURPOSE

The HSSE Senior Associate is responsible for coordinating and managing integrated 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 HSSE requirements, identify issues requiring attention, coordinate follow-up actions, and contribute to practical improvements in service delivery.

FUNCTIONS / KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Capacity Building and Awareness
   • Coordinate and facilitate HSSE awareness and capacity-building activities for personnel, contractors, and relevant stakeholders.
   • 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.
4. 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.
   • 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.

SKILLS

Compliance Management, Diversity & Inclusion, Environmental Management Systems, Health & Safety, Report Writing, Risk Assessment

COMPETENCIES

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health, Engineering, Risk Management, Gender, Social Inclusion, Human Rights, International Relations, or any other relevant field with 3 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• Master’s degree preferably in the above-mentioned areas or relevant field may substitute some of the required years of experience.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required

• Experience 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.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Language Proficiency Level Requirement

• English Fluent Required
• Bengali Fluent Required

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 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. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities. UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities. We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation. UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Position Title HSSE Senior Associate (Environmental Management) Job Category Sustainable Development Technical Advisory Duty Station(s) Dhaka Seniority Level Associate ICS Level ICS 07 Contract Type ICA - LICA - Support - Regular Contract Level LICA 7 Posting Start Date 23-Oct-2026 Posting End Date 05-Nov-2026 Duration 12 Months