Occupational Health and Safety Officer

Save the Children International  

Save the Children International is a leading global humanitarian organization that has been protecting children's rights worldwide for over 100 years. We operate in more than 100 countries, responding to emergencies, implementing innovative development programs, and advocating for children's rights on a global scale. 

Our work in Ukraine began in 2014. Since then, we have significantly expanded our presence, providing support to children and families affected by war. Our key areas of focus include education, child protection, food security, social support, and advocacy to drive lasting change in children's lives. 

ROLE PURPOSE:  

The Occupational Health and Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring that all Save the Children offices, guesthouses, and operational sites provide a safe, healthy, and compliant working environment for staff, visitors, contractors, and partners. The role ensures adherence to national occupational health and safety legislation, SCI global standards, and internal policies by implementing effective safety systems, conducting risk assessments, coordinating trainings, and supporting incident prevention and response. The Officer works closely with all departments to promote a strong safety culture, strengthen staff awareness and capacity, and ensure that risks are proactively identified, addressed, and documented. This position plays a key role in maintaining operational continuity, safeguarding staff wellbeing, and ensuring that SCI activities are carried out responsibly and safely.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Occupational Health & Safety Management

• Oversee the establishment and maintenance of safe and healthy working conditions across all SCI locations in accordance with applicable legislation, SCI policies, and occupational health and safety (OHS) standards.
• Ensure organisational compliance with national laws, regulations, and internal procedures related to OHS, industrial sanitation, workplace safety, and employee welfare.
• Lead the implementation of OHS risk mitigation measures and support the development of action plans to improve workplace safety and reduce incidents.
• Support coordination of investigations into workplace accidents, incidents, and occupational diseases, ensuring proper documentation, root-cause analysis, and follow-up actions.
• Participate in decisions regarding compensation for employees affected by workplace injuries, occupational diseases, or other work-related health impacts.

Capacity Building & Staff Engagement

• Conduct OHS induction briefings for newly hired staff, contractors, visitors, and any individuals performing work on SCI premises.
• Maintain accurate and updated OHS training and briefing logs for all staff and worksites.
• Coordinate and deliver OHS training sessions, including first aid, emergency response, safe work practices, and accident prevention.
• Promote staff participation in identifying safety risks and submitting suggestions to improve workplace conditions, wellbeing, and work-rest regimes.
• Implement awareness-raising activities such as seminars, discussions, posters, memos, and other educational materials related to occupational safety and health.

Monitoring, Compliance & Enforcement

• Provide guidance and mandatory instructions to heads of departments and area offices to address safety gaps and ensure compliance with OHS standards.
• Ensure staff performing high-risk tasks meet all requirements (medical examinations, training, certification, authorization) before commencing work.
• Recommend disciplinary action to the Country Director for violations of OHS requirements where appropriate.
• Conduct regular inspections of offices, guesthouses, and other SCI facilities to identify hazards, ensure preventive controls, and verify compliance.
• Support the preparation of OHS budgets, cost estimates, and procurement planning related to health and safety measures and equipment.

Documentation & Coordination

• Develop, update, and review OHS policies, procedures, safe-work instructions, and training programmes in coordination with relevant departments.
• Prepare OHS documentation, reports, registers, and statistics in line with SCI and regulatory requirements.
• Provide consultations and clarifications to staff and managers on workplace safety obligations and best practices.
• Liaise with external medical institutions, research bodies, consultants, and regulatory agencies on OHS matters, and support the implementation of their recommendations.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) 

Accountability

• Takes personal responsibility for decisions, effective use of resources, high-quality results, and acting in alignment with Save the Children values.
• Supports colleagues and partners to take ownership of their responsibilities by providing guidance, opportunities for development, and constructive feedback.
• Addresses underperformance proactively and fairly, ensuring accountability for outcomes.

Ambition

• Sets clear, ambitious goals for themselves and contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Actively promotes and communicates the vision of Save the Children to inspire, motivate and engage others.
• Thinks creatively and strategically to drive progress and long-term impact for children.

Collaboration

• Builds positive, trusting, and inclusive relationships with staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Values diversity and different perspectives as strengths that enhance the organization’s collective impact.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills, showing empathy, openness, and willingness to support others.

Creativity

• Proactively seeks and encourages innovative, practical solutions to improve effectiveness and staff experience.
• Confident in proposing new ideas and taking responsible, well-considered risks to enhance results.

Integrity

• Acts with honesty, fairness and professionalism in all interactions.
• Promotes an environment of transparency, trust, and mutual respect, upholding the highest ethical standards.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Education

• Master’s degree in relevant field.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the Law of Ukraine “On Occupational Safety” and related national legislation, regulations, and standards.
• Understanding of occupational safety systems, risk assessment methodologies, and workplace safety controls.
• Knowledge of labour legislation, standards of safe equipment operation, and requirements related to working conditions, including restrictions for women, adolescents, and workers transferred to lighter duties.
• Familiarity with best practices in occupational health and safety in Ukraine and internationally.
• Confident user of modern information technologies, online tools, and digital reporting systems.
• Ability to analyse and summarise professional information from various sources.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian required

Experience (Required)

• 5 years of experience (including internship or volunteer experience) in occupational health and safety, workplace safety audits, risk assessments, or related fields.
• Experience delivering safety briefings, trainings, or awareness sessions.
• Experience in developing or updating OHS procedures, instructions, or training materials.
• Experience maintaining documentation, logs, or reports related to safety compliance.
• Practical understanding of safe equipment use, control measures, and accident/incident prevention.

Experience (Desirable)

• Previous experience in INGOs, international organisations, or humanitarian settings.
• Experience coordinating with external institutions (medical facilities, inspection bodies).
• Experience supporting emergency preparedness, first aid training, or crisis/incident response.

Additional job responsibilities 

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience. 

Equal Opportunities  

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures. 

Save the Children is committed to create a truly inclusive, effective and representative organisational culture, encouraging equity and diversity among its employees and eliminating discrimination. Having a diverse profile of employees, different age groups, backgrounds, cultures, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation etc., including a range of different experiences and capabilities helps us understand, represent and serve children better.  Therefore, all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or age.  

Child Safeguarding Policy: 

We are committed to ensuring children's safety. Our recruitment process includes strict background checks and reflects our commitment to protecting children from harm. 

Safeguarding our Staff: 

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Safeguarding, Code of Conduct and other policies. 

Health and Safety: 

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures. 

Application Information: 

If you are interested in this position, please submit your CV and cover letter in English and include details of your salary expectation and English proficiency.  

We need to keep children and their families safe, so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the safeguarding of children from abuse. 

Disclaimer: 

Please be cautious of individuals who may misuse the Save the Children name to solicit fees from job seekers. We do not engage third parties or agencies to recruit candidates. If someone contacts you promising recruitment or placement at Save the Children for a fee, please do not proceed. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.