The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officer is responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all employees by developing, implementing, and monitoring occupational health and safety programs and policies. The OHS Officer will identify workplace hazards, conduct risk assessments, and provide training to employees on safety protocols and procedures. This role is crucial in promoting a culture of safety and compliance within the organization.

Duties and responsibilities

• Conduct regular workplace inspections to identify potential hazards.
• Perform risk assessments and implement corrective measures to mitigate risks.
• Maintain accurate records of safety inspections, incidents, and compliance activities.
• Regularly update OHS dashboard and provide report to HQs and report working conditions that affect health of staff in Kenya.
• Carry periodic OHS walk downs for recommending measures to help protect workers from potentially dangerous practices, processes, and materials at the Experimental stations.
• Investigate incidents, accidents, and near-misses to determine root causes and prevent recurrence.
• Verify that the OHS regulatory requirements are properly applied.
• Verify that OHS the CIMMYT’s OHS HQ policy, procedures and standards are properly applied.
• Facilitate/Organize training on occupational health and safety topics in consultation with HQs team.
• Monitor the effectiveness of safety programs and recommend improvements. Conduct regular emergency drills and training sessions.
• Develop and implement emergency response plans and procedures in consultation with HQs.
• Coordinate with local emergency services in the event of an incident.
• In coordination with Medical Services, and other HR functions, promote health and wellness activities within the organization.
• Monitor and report all new published OH&S applicable legislation in Kenya.
• Create and maintain OH&S records related to the policy on document retention and destruction database.
• Support of the internal Civil protection Plan and Evacuation Drills at Experimental Stations according to local laws.
• Support specifics routines OHS activities (fire extinguishers inspections, hydrants, fire equipment cabinets, eye washers, etc.)
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal health and safety regulations.
• Update and revise safety protocols as needed to reflect new regulations or company policies.
• Any other activities as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• At least a BSc degree in Occupational Health and Safety or relevant field from a well-recognized university. A master’s degree is preferable.
• At least 5 years of work experience in Occupational Health and Safety domain
• Conversant with the Kenyan OHS laws
• Experience with setting up an OHS system from scratch.