Health, Safety, Social, and Environmental Associate

United Nations Office for Project Services•San Jose, CA

About The Position

The Health, Safety, Social, and Environmental Associate will join the UNOPS project team supporting the management of national infrastructure projects at different stages of development, as part of a broader program to increase national infrastructure resilience. The role is responsible for ensuring implementation, monitoring, and compliance with the Health, Occupational Safety, and Environmental Management (HSSE) plan by UNOPS and contractors on site. The position aims to ensure that projects are delivered to high HSSE standards, provide a safe and healthy work environment, maintain transparent and constructive relationships with stakeholders, and comply with the UNOPS Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESMS) and applicable regulatory frameworks. The role monitors environmental, occupational health and safety, and social commitments arising from environmental approvals, government requirements, and UNOPS standards, and contributes to social and environmental management, conflict resolution, and technical matters that could affect project delivery. The position is based in San Jose and is classified as Associate, ICS Level 06, under a regular LICA 6 support contract. The duration is ongoing, subject to the availability of funds.

Requirements

Secondary education and six years of experience are required; a university degree may replace some years of experience.
At least six years of field experience in Environment, Health, and Occupational Safety (HSSE); the required experience is reduced based on verified academic credentials.
Fluent Spanish is required.
Skills listed include environment, health and safety, quality assurance, report writing, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and social responsibility.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in Engineering—such as Occupational Health and Safety, Occupational Safety and Environment, Occupational Safety and Environmental Hygiene, or Forestry—or a related field.
Knowledge of ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and ISO 39001 standards.
Experience with public infrastructure projects for government institutions or international organizations.
Additional experience in social management of infrastructure projects.
Experience monitoring and applying environmental, health, and safety safeguards in projects financed by international financial institutions.
Experience applying a human-rights approach, social management, and gender, diversity, and inclusion perspectives in infrastructure projects.
Intermediate English proficiency.

Responsibilities

Manage regular inspections at construction sites to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.
Anticipate and identify hazardous situations in the field and coordinate rapid responses to contingencies.
Monitor the quality of occupational safety and health measures, including resolving problems during construction.
Verify that worker occupational health and safety training is delivered and that signage, emergency equipment, and waste management meet national regulations and UNOPS guidance.
Ensure occupational and environmental risk assessments are carried out.
Verify implementation of social and environmental safeguards in the field.
Investigate, report, and document safety incidents and follow them through to closure.
Coordinate and collaborate on monitoring occupational safety, health, and environmental commitments under resolutions and requirements from SETENA, MINAE, SINAC, other government institutions, and UNOPS.
Support the integration of sustainability, occupational safety, and health actions in accordance with UNOPS policies, administrative instructions, plans, and management-system procedures.
Provide technical advice and guidance on HSSE matters to project teams.
Prepare monthly or as-needed reports detailing field HSSE management.
Keep the Project Manager informed about emerging impacts, affected stakeholders, and issues that may affect project results.
Assist with risk management and prevention and mitigation measures; inform the Project Manager and recommend corrective actions.
Identify risks related to HSSE management and plan responses with the Project Manager.
Keep specialist management indicators current in UNOPS systems or platforms.
Develop monitoring tools and support information registration and records management.
Contribute to regular weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.
Help collect information and report on compliance with social, environmental, occupational health, and safety safeguards.