Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Specialist
About This Recruitment
These positions sit within the Operation Support Team (OST) being assembled by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD) to help deliver the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) Operation, a six-year programme (FY2026/27-2031/32) financed by a US$540 million World Bank IDA credit. UCMID supports climate-smart urban infrastructure, institutional strengthening and capacity building across MLHUD and participating Local Governments.
The OST is a transitional, blended team of recruited specialists working alongside MLHUD staff, reporting to the Commissioner for Urban Development / Operation Coordinator. Contract OST members are engaged on a two-year contract, renewable twice subject to satisfactory performance.
Note: Only candidates with prior experience on externally (particularly World Bank) funded projects will be shortlisted.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Building Control Act, Labour Laws, Environmental Regulations and World Bank ESSs
- Conduct routine site inspections, safety audits, hazard identification and risk assessments across project sites
- Enforce safe systems of work, permit-to-work procedures and contractor safety obligations
- Liaise with MGLSD, local authorities, contractors, consultants and regulators on safety matters
- Develop and update program-wide OSH policies, procedures and guidelines
- Review and approve Site-Specific Safety Management Plans, Method Statements and Job Hazard Analyses
- Integrate OSH requirements into project planning, procurement, design and implementation
- Support preparation and rollout of contractor-led Environmental and Social Management Plans (CESMPs)
- Lead investigations of site accidents, incidents and near-misses, with root-cause analysis and corrective action follow-up
- Develop and update emergency preparedness and response plans; coordinate fire drills and emergency simulations
- Deliver OSH inductions, toolbox talks and specialised training on high-risk operations
- Build OSH capacity across MLHUD, Local Governments, contractors and consultants
- Maintain OSH records and monitor safety performance metrics (LTIFR, AFR, Severity Rate, compliance scores)
- Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual safety performance reports for MLHUD management and the World Bank
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Engineering, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene or related field; Master's Degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Engineering, Business Administration or related field; NEBOSH Professional Certification (mandatory); registration with a recognized professional body is desirable
Experience
Minimum 8 years of relevant OSH experience in construction, infrastructure, engineering or donor-funded projects, with demonstrated experience in site inspections, risk assessments, accident investigations and safety compliance enforcement.