Occupational Health and Safety Specialist – Roads Authority

Job Description

Government of the Republic of Malawi
Roads Authority (Malawi)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION)
(Appointment Type: Local Hire)

COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: RESILIENT AND STRATEGIC TRANSPORT OPERATIONAL ENHANCE PROJECT- RESTORE
IDA NUMBER: IDA – V5160
PROJECT ID: P500625
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SPECIALIST
REFERENCE NUMBER: MW-RA-431429-CS-INDV
DATE OF ISSUE: 26TH JULY 2024

1. Background

The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has applied for financing toward the cost of the Resilient and Strategic Transport Operational Enhance Project (RESTORE).

The Roads Authority (RA) as the implementation agency intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist.

The RA invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the position of Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, recruited as individual consultant following World Bank Procurement Regulations dated September 2023.

Position Title: Occupational Health and Safety Specialist (1 Position)
Time Commitment: 100%
Accountable: Project Coordinator
Duration of Assignment: 5 years

2. The Objectives of the Assignment

The main objective of the assignment is to ensure that all OHS risks and impacts are assessed and managed in accordance with national Occupational Health and Safety Policies and framework, World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), and Good International Industry Practice (GIIP).

3. Duties and Responsibilities

Working with other team members, the Occupational Health and Safety Specialist will ensure the implementation of the project’s occupational health and safety safeguards instruments, monitor compliance by project implementers and report progress. The assignment shall also ensure that community health and safety measures are in place for the project.

Detail on scope of work include, but is not limited to: –

1. Considering World Bank Environmental Health Safety Guidelines (EHSG), Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), and guidance notes for borrowers and good practice notes The OHS Specialist will review the existing OHS procedures and update where applicable the OHS strategy, system and the operational plans for the project.
2. Develop, update, coordinate and facilitate the development and/or revision of occupational safety and health Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the various activities under the Project which shall also include community health and safety measures.
3. Approve and Oversee contractor OHS plans, implementation and compliance.
4. Define and implement applicable Occupational Health and Safety measures for the project;
5. Work with project environmental and social teams and technical teams to review severe OHS incidents and near misses that have occurred on project including community health and safety measures.
6. Facilitate the development of E&S Scoping report, ESIA, ESMPs, Health and Safety Manual and a health and Safety Management plan for the project, and incorporate the relevant OHS measures (including emergency preparedness and response measures) into the Labour Management Procedures (LMP), and ensuring the inclusion of ESF considerations into the TORs of technical activities under Component 2 and support the analysis of alternatives for the feasibility studies. Support the preparation of a CERC-ESMF (Environmental and Social Management Framework for the CERC) if required.
7. Conducting occupational health and safety site inspections on a regular basis with adequate frequency.
8. Providing internal audits on occupational health and safety issues.
9. Facilitating wellness health awareness and screening Programs.
10. Support project teams and clients in investigating the root cause/s of the incidents and developing appropriate remedial and mitigation measures.
11. Prepare and deliver reports to the project on OHS incidents, patterns of incidents, and proposed recommendations Help develop and implement a comprehensive intervention to improve worker OHS, and Community Health and Safety for communities directly impacted by the project.
12. Develop and implement a training program on occupational health and safety for project clients and contractors
13. Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, working at heights, scaffolding measures, trenches and excavation, working adjacent to flowing water, and other relevant processes, or materials.
14. Advise communities or institutions regarding health or safety issues
15. Inspect or evaluate workplace environments, equipment, or practices to ensure compliance with safety standards, World Bank Environment Health and Safety guidelines and government regulations
16. Develop or maintain hygiene programs, such as noise surveys, continuous atmosphere monitoring, ventilation surveys, or asbestos management plans. Set up monitoring systems for the sites, including file management on site for Toolbox talks and topics, ongoing skills and training development, SOPs, Permits to work, incident reports, monitoring First Aid kits, etc. Ensuring first aid kits are appropriately stocked to type of activities anticipated on sites, etc
17. Inspect work environments to ensure workplace safety
18. Conduct safety training or education programs and demonstrate the use of safety equipment
19. Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations, and World Bank’s ESF and ESHS requirements.
20. Develop or maintain medical monitoring programs for employees and contractors
21. Coordinate “right-to-know” programs regarding hazardous chemicals or other substances, and safety procedures.
22. Maintain or update emergency response plans or procedures.
23. Develop and review and monitoring emergency procedures for sites including ensuring correct fire prevent controls and training in place, etc.

4. Reporting Requirements

The OHS Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator for all their technical and administrative operations and will work in collaboration with other specialists under the project, i.e. Social Safeguards Specialist, Gender Based Violence Specialist, Environmental Safeguards Specialist, as well as other technical specialists and engineers of the project.

5. Qualification and experience

The candidate should meet the following minimum qualifications and expertise:

1. Master’s Degree in disciplines such as engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Environmental, Quality and Safety), Health and Safety or closely related field. Those with postgraduate qualifications and/or international certificate in OHS e.g. NEBOSH, in relevant or similar fields will have an added advantage.
2. A minimum of 10 years of demonstrable project experience in developing, implementing and/or supervising OHS and Traffic Management in construction, with experience in transport infrastructure, and or extractives sectors at similar or senior level. Have thorough working knowledge of World Bank Environmental and Social Standards, especially Labour and Working Conditions (ESS2), Community Health and Safety (ESS4) and World Bank Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines;
3. Knowledge of Ohs management systems, including experience auditing/ assessing health and safety programs and systems.
4. Demonstrated ability to address technical issues of occupational health and safety and to effect a cultural change to create a culture of safety across a workplace or organization
5. Have a working knowledge of Malawi’s legal framework on occupational health and workers welfare.
6. Familiarity with Government of Malawi standard procedures and practices with regards to infrastructure construction projects will be a plus; thorough understanding of social regulatory framework will be a plus;
7. Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English, as well as team participation and management skills
8. Proficiency in using computer applications e.g. MS Word, Excel and Power Point.

6. Duration of the assignment

The assignment is for an initial period of one year in the Project Preparatory Activities and will thereafter be extended for the entire period of project implementation of 5 years. The contract will be renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance, need and availability of funding.

7. Facilities to be provided by the Client

The Client will provide office space, furniture, office equipment, communication, and internet facilities. For all field related assignments, the Project shall provide transport and costs and other expenses (per Diems etc.) related to the fieldwork.

8. Location of Employment
The Occupational Health and Safety Specialist will be based at the
PIU Office in Lilongwe but would be required to travel regularly to other relevant field offices where the Project is implementing its activities.

9. Mode of Application
Interested Individuals meeting the stated requirements should submit their Expressions of interest including updated detailed Curriculum Vitae (CVs) and copies of professional certificates must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by Monday, 12th August, 2024 on or before 16:00 hours, local time.

The Project Coordinator,
Resilient and Strategic Transport Operational Enhance Project
Roads Authority
Functional Buildings
Private Bag B346
Lilongwe 3
Malawi.
Attention: The Procurement Manager
Email: ipc@ra.org.mw copy schipala@ra.org.mw