Specialist - HSE

About the Role
This position supports the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the HSE Management System, Integrated Management System, and Business Continuity requirements across Ports Cluster terminals and marine operations. The role is crucial in ensuring that HSE risks arising from port activities—including cargo handling, marine operations, dangerous goods, contractor, and construction works—are identified and controlled in compliance with the company standards, OSHAD-SF, and applicable local and international regulations.

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities:

• Implement the company HSE Management System and Integrated Management System across Ports Cluster terminals and facilities to achieve Corporate HSE and Business Continuity KPIs and objectives.
• Support the development, maintenance, and implementation of the Ports Cluster HSE Plan in line with international standards (ISO 45001, ISO 14001), OSHAD-SF, and local legal and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct hazard identification and risk assessments (HIRA, environmental aspects and impacts) for port operations, and maintain the Ports Cluster HSE Risk Register.
• Perform planned and unplanned HSE inspections of terminals, quays, yards, warehouses, marine craft, port equipment (STS cranes, RTGs, reach stackers, terminal tractors), and contractor work sites, and track corrective actions to closure.
• Monitor the handling and storage of dangerous goods in accordance with the IMDG Code and company requirements, verifying segregation, documentation, and emergency arrangements.
• Monitor contractor HSE compliance, including permit-to-work, lifting operations, working at height, confined space, and hot work controls during port operations and construction projects.
• Participate in HSE management walk-about inspections, internal audits, company HSE/Quality/BCM audits, and third-party certification audits, following up on findings.
• Investigate HSE incidents, near misses, and complaints using root cause analysis, prepare reports, and ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Support the Port Emergency Response Plan, oil spill response arrangements, and Business Continuity Plans, including planning and evaluating drills with port users and authorities.
• Deliver HSE inductions, toolbox talks, awareness campaigns, and training programs (e.g., fire safety, first aid, fire warden) for employees, contractors, and port users.

Stakeholder & Collaboration Responsibilities:

• Guide and coach operations staff, contractors, and port users on HSE requirements and promote a positive safety culture.
• Support tenants, shipping lines, and port users in complying with company HSE rules and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination with operations, engineering, marine, and security teams, as well as external partners.

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Contribute to maintaining the highest level of HSE, BCM, and Sustainability performance across the Ports Cluster.
• Identify HSE improvement opportunities and propose initiatives to reduce risks in port operations.
• Contribute to setting HSE objectives, KPIs, and Management Programs, monitoring progress against targets.
• Prepare HSE performance reports, statistics, and dashboards for Ports Cluster and company management.
• Support environmental monitoring and sustainability programs (air quality, waste management, port reception facilities, ballast water, energy efficiency).
• Support the preparation of Ports Cluster submissions for HSE and sustainability awards (e.g., NESHAN Awards).

Qualifications

Educational and Technical Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Internationally recognized HSE qualification, e.g., NEBOSH IGC (NEBOSH Diploma or Level 6 preferred) or equivalent.
• ISO 45001 / ISO 14001 Internal or Lead Auditor certification preferred; ISO 22301 is an advantage.
• OSHAD-SF Practitioner registration (Abu Dhabi) preferred; IMDG Code / dangerous goods training is an advantage.

Language Skills:

• Excellent English. Arabic is an added advantage.

Years of Experience:

• A minimum of 4-6 years of HSE experience, including at least 2 years in ports, terminals, marine, or logistics operations.

Nature of Experience:

• Ports, Terminals, Marine, Logistics, Construction.
• Good knowledge of HSE regulations and port/maritime standards (OSHAD-SF, IMDG Code, ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Ports).
• Ability to understand port operational risks and apply practical HSE controls.
• Strong influencing and coaching skills, with the ability to drive HSE compliance at the front line.
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including company employees, contractors, and port users.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including incident investigation and root cause analysis.

Key Interactions

Key Internal Contacts:

• Within the team
• Ports Cluster
• company Corporate HSE and Cluster management
• Implement HSE plans, risk register and HSE walk-abouts
• Deliver HSE trainings and awareness programs
• Report HSE performance, issues, and recommendations

Key External Contacts:

• Port users, shipping lines, tenants, and contractors
• Competent/regulatory authorities (Abu Dhabi Maritime, EAD, ADCDA, ADPHC/OSHAD, etc.)
• Ensure HSE compliance and resolve issues
• Coordinate inspections, emergency drills, and incident reporting
• Benchmark best practices

Leadership Competencies Required for the Role:

• Customer Focus
• Mental Agility
• Drive Performance
• Adaptability
• Courage
• Inspire

Technical Competencies Required for the Role:

• Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness and Communication
• Health Safety and Environment Standards Application
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Hazardous substance management
• Technical Safety
• Safety engineering
• Occupational Health and Safety Management
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Environmental Procedures Design
• Emergency/Crisis Management
• Operations Safety