Occupational Safety and Health Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Occupational Safety and Health Officer
Location: Abidjan
Country: Côte d'Ivoire
Deadline Date: 17 December 2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote social justice and fair labor practices. Established in 1919, the ILO has a mission to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. The organization operates in over 180 countries and has a diverse workforce dedicated to improving labor standards and conditions globally. The ILO values diversity and inclusivity, actively encouraging applications from women and individuals with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officer position is situated within the ILO Regional Office for Africa (RO-Africa) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The primary focus of this role is to support the second phase of the 'Accelerating action for the elimination of child labour in Africa' project, which aims to eliminate child labor through targeted actions in selected supply chains across several African countries. The OSH Officer will be responsible for designing and implementing project components related to occupational safety and health, ensuring compliance with child labor and OSH legislation, and promoting decent work conditions. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government ministries, employers' organizations, and workers' organizations, to enhance OSH standards and practices in the targeted sectors. The OSH Officer will also contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation, ensuring that strategies are effective and aligned with the overarching goals of the ILO in Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify key actors for implementing OSH project activities in selected sectors across target countries in consultation with the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and OSHE specialists.
• Lead the design and implementation of studies to assess incentives and limitations for improving OSH in selected sectors, ensuring high-quality reporting.
• Develop intervention strategies to enhance OSH conditions, ensuring coordination with other project areas.
• Support the creation of innovative approaches and adapt tools to improve OSH conditions.
• Provide technical support to stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labour and relevant public institutions.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluating project implementation regarding OSH, developing data collection tools, and supporting research on best practices.
• Plan and conduct OSH seminars, workshops, and training sessions, developing necessary training materials.
• Identify collaboration opportunities with OSH actors and facilitate coordination among them.
• Undertake missions to project sites for capacity building and technical support. 1
• Participate in presentations about project activities to various stakeholders, including media and academia. 1
• Promote gender equality and non-discrimination in all project aspects. 1
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Regional Director and Project Manager (CTA).

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public health, industrial or agricultural engineering, labor law, public administration, or related fields, with specialization in occupational health and safety. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a relevant field, combined with two additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of OSH standards and practices, particularly in the context of labor law compliance and capacity building for labor inspectorates.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as public health, industrial or agricultural engineering, labor law, or public administration. Specialization in occupational health and safety is essential. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with two years of additional relevant experience may be considered acceptable.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of professional experience in occupational safety and health (OSH) standards, focusing on risk assessment, evaluation of OSH management systems, and training of OSH actors. Experience in compliance with labor law and strengthening labor inspectorate capacities is also required. Relevant experience in the African region and in sectors such as agriculture and small-scale mining will be considered advantageous.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of English and a good working knowledge of French. Proficiency in both languages is crucial for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse context of the ILO's operations in Africa.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for two years, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability and satisfactory performance. The ILO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals with disabilities. The recruitment process includes an online application form, and selected candidates may be contacted for a written test or interview. The ILO has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse and conducts background verifications for candidates under consideration. Additionally, candidates must be medically fit to perform the job's inherent requirements.