JOB PURPOSE
To anticipate, identify, assess, and mitigate workplace hazards across the Authority while leading a team of Occupational Safety and Health Officers in monitoring and managing potential and existing incidents. Recommend strategies that may prevent future hazards that could impact business continuity, productivity, and employee well-being. Provide expert technical guidance to relevant stakeholders within the Authority to foster a safe and compliant work environment alignment with GOJs, international and TAJs safety standards, policies and guidelines.
KEY OUTPUTS
- OSH policies, procedures and standards developed and implemented;
- OSH culture promoted;
- OSH audits conducted;
- OSH hazards anticipated, identified, evaluated and controlled;
- OSH risks assessed, monitored and mitigated;
- Accidents, incidents and complaints assessed, investigated and monitored;
- Environment monitored and assessments coordinated;
- Safety inspections and risk assessments coordinated;
- OSH training programmes (drills) and sensitization sessions developed and conducted;
- Emergency Disaster Plans coordinated and implemented;
- Reports prepared and submitted.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
Management and Administrative Duties
- Provides leadership, support and guidance to staff to ensure that the Section is effectively managed;
- Guides the preparation of the Operational Plan with the supporting budget for the Unit;
- Plans, coordinates and directs all the activities of the functional areas;
- Ensures staff is aware of and operates in accordance with all relevant laws and policies of the Department;
- Establishes and enforces standards and rules of professional conduct for staff within the Section in order to maintain the highest degree of confidence in its integrity and efficiency;
- Ensures staff is aware of and operates in accordance with all relevant laws, policies;
- Maintains effective working relations with external and internal stakeholders, ensuring that the Section provides a consistently high level of service;
Technical and Professional Duties
- Develops and implements occupational safety, health (OSH) policy and guidelines for Tax Administration Jamaica;
- Monitors and evaluates the occurrence of hazards and the potential impact on employees and business continuity;
- Makes recommendations for corrective action to be taken to promote and maintain a safe working environment;
- Fosters and promotes a proactive safety culture focused on incident prevention and regulatory compliance;
- Coordinates the conducting of safety audits and reviews audit reports;
- Oversees and coordinates the assessment and investigation of workplace accidents incidents and complaints that pose a threat to employees, the environment and business continuity and to mitigate against future occurrences;
- Reviews OSH policy, procedures and standards to ensure it is in keeping with GOJ international and safety standards;
- Develops and implements safety programmes to promote safe practices and reduce workplace hazards,
- Coordinates and conducts training sessions to apprize staff of TAJ’s OSH policy and guidelines to build employee awareness regarding safety procedures;
- Develops, implements and monitors a workplace hazard analysis checklist for use by senior staff and safety wardens;
- Provides sound technical advice on OSH related matters s to all relevant stakeholders;
- Represents the organization at various forums on matters relating to OSH;
- Coordinates risk assessment, OSH surveys, hazard analysis and fact finding reviews of occupational safety & health issues and recommends mitigating measures where applicable;
- Collaborates with key business for eg. Legal Unit, Administration Property and Security, Enterprise Risk Management in the preparation of incident reports for submission to Director Employee Relations Occupational Health and Safety,;
- Organises the review and investigation of current workplace practices and procedures and recommends changes where necessary to comply with proper health and safety guidelines;
- Organises reviews to determine employees compliance with recommended OSH practices;
- Scans environment to determine the OSH specific resources (equipment) required and make provisions for the acquisition of same in order for the Authority to provide immediate response to workplace hazards and complaints;
- Monitors the database maintenance of occupational safety, health and environmental hazards found;
- Conducts needs analysis of OSH resources and the current provisions within the TAJ’s budget in consultation with Director and Head of Branch;
- Coordinates site visits and conducts assessment of building plans and floor layouts for TAJ properties and makes recommendations to relevant stakeholder;
- Coordinates risk analysis following emergencies and disasters and recommends the necessary resources;
- Collaborates with Procurement Unit to develop Terms of Reference ( TOR) for the engagement of OSH service providers;
- Collaborates with stakeholders to design, implement and disseminate OSH related Manuals and Forms;
- Collaborates with Enterprise Risk Management Unit in determining the risk associated with identified/ reported incidents and near misses towards developing appropriate responses to preventing and/or mitigating future occurrence;
- Collaborates with the Human Resource Development (HRD) Section to design and develop OSH training programs and evaluation methods for their effective and timely delivery;
- Liaises, plans, co-ordinates, and executes emergency response plans, drills, and emergency simulations with relevant stakeholders/MDAs (ODPEM, Fire Brigade, Police)
- Makes recommendation for and participates in external safety and health sensitization sessions and activities that will improve awareness within the Authority;
- Identifies, monitors and escalates high priority issues, including emerging risks to the relevant authorities;
- Updates and submits the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Sub-risk Register for the Unit;
- Performs other related duties assigned by the Director, Employee Relations, Occupation Health and Safety.
Human Resource Management Duties
- Develops and manages the Section’s Human Resource plan that addresses staff requirements, succession planning and liaises with the Chief Human Resource Management and Development Officer;
- Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Section and ensures that they are aware of and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Department;
- Conducts periodical reviews of supervisees in accordance with the Work Plan;
- Completes final performance assessments and recommends appropriate training and development programmes as necessary;
- Develops and maintains effective cooperative working relationships with staff;
- Initiates and participates in disciplinary proceedings relating to staff members within the Section and implements corrective measures.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
This job is satisfactorily performed when:
- OSH policies, procedures and standards are developed and implemented in accordance with national and international standards and by the required deadline;
- OSH hazards anticipated, identified, evaluated and controlled in accordance with established standards and guidelines;
- OSH incident risks monitored and responses coordinated in accordance with established standards and agreed upon timelines;
- Accidents, injuries, illnesses and near misses investigations done within required timeframe;
- Environment monitored and assessments coordinated according to stipulated format and within the specified timeframe;
- OSH sensitization programmes are developed according to stipulated format and within the agreed timeframe;
- Site visits and assessments coordinated in accordance with national and international standards and within agreed timelines;
- Emergency Disaster Plans coordinated and implemented in accordance with established standards, guidelines and timeframe;
- Reports prepared and submitted according to stipulated format and agreed time frame.
AUTHORITY TO
- Recommend budgetary allocation for OSH specific resources and programmes; Develop and implement OSH policies and guidelines for TAJ;
- Recommend amendments to the policy and/or procedures;
- Represent the TAJ on OSH related issues at various forum;
- Recommend change/modification to layout structural design concepts in keeping with OSHE standards.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Specific Knowledge
- Expert knowledge of current local and international Occupational Health and Safety and policy, principles and practices;
- Understanding Jamaica’s Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and other relevant legislation.
- Compliance with and knowledge of local and international OSH standards (e.g., ISO 45001, NEBOSH, OSHA, ILO Guidelines).
- Knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety policies, including labour laws and risk assessment frameworks.
- Comprehensive knowledge of handling and acceptable disposal methods for dangerous goods;
- Knowledge of TAJs functions and operations;
- Knowledge of computer systems and the relevant applications.
Required Skills and Specialised Techniques
- Excellent investigation and research skills;
- Excellent analytical, planning, coordinating and organising skills;
- Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills;
- Excellent time management skill;
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and team skills;
- Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
Qualification and Experience
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Management (OHSEM), Bachelor’s Science Degree in Environmental Health or equivalent qualifications;
- Post graduate Certificate or specialized training in Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Studies;
- At least three (3) years’ experience in a related field
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Normal office environment;
- Frequent Exposure to hazardous environments and substances
- Must be available to assist with the implementation of logistics for an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) during any emergency/natural disaster;
- Travel (45-60 %)
While we thank all applicants for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
