Health And Safety Officer

We are seeking an experienced Health and Safety Offer to join our team at Repton, Abu Dhabi.

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’

About Repton, Abu Dhabi:

Repton Abu Dhabi, Reem Island is based in the heart of 'new Abu Dhabi'. We've been here since 2013, growing quickly due to our popularity with the local and expat community alike, and our quality was recently recognised by the British Schools Overseas (BSO) who adjudged us to be ‘Outstanding’ in every category.

We follow a British independent school curriculum that incorporates elements of the English National Curriculum but which allows highly skilled teachers to develop an appropriate curriculum for an independent school in an international environment.

The Health and Safety Officer (HSO) will play a pivotal role in ensuring a safe and healthy environment for students, staff and visitors. The role is dedicated to supporting school-based health and safety management in line with Cognita Middle East policies, Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health System Framework (OSHAD-SF), ADEK regulations and other relevant local regulations. The HSO will proactively contribute to imbedding a positive safety culture and ensuring compliance.

Skills, Experience & Responsibilities:

1. Compliance Monitoring: monitor compliance with health and safety regulations and guidance as set out by local authorities, accrediting bodies and Cognita ME.

2. Risk Management: lead the development and implementation of the risk assessment and risk management procedure.

3. Training and Development: ensure the training matrix is up to date and key internal health and safety training topics are delivered to the relevant staff members. Support with the facilitation of external training as necessary.

4. Audits/Inspections/Reviews: engage with reviewers and inspectors. Monitor findings and ensure action plans are maintained with corrective measures implemented in the time required.

5. Incident Management: have oversight on all health and safety incidents reported, conduct investigations or follow up tasks as required. Ensure reporting processes have been followed effectively.

6. Document Control: Manage all health and safety related documentation, ensuring information is shared with relevant staff members and that documents and policies are regularly reviewed in line with policy.

7. Health and Safety Committee: Lead the Health and Safety Committee, with a focus on collaboration, improvement, incident analysis and corrective actions.

8. Safety Culture: Act as a leader for health and safety practices, promoting a positive safety culture within the organisation. Encourage a positive reporting culture and support with the creation and delivery of safety initiatives.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

· Strategy: Positively contribute to the Safeguarding improvement strategies within Cognita schools, nurseries and other business units.

· Policy and Compliance: Familiarise self on Safeguarding policies and procedures. Support, as necessary, with adherence and awareness to the policies.

· Incident Reporting: Ensure Safeguarding concerns are reported on the appropriate reporting platforms in line with the Incident Reporting Policy and SIRF guidance document.

· Training and Awareness: Ensure timely completion of Safeguarding training courses provided for your role.

· Risk Assessment: Ensure risk assessments are completed for areas within your responsibility. Seek training and feedback as necessary to mitigate the likelihood of harm from occurring.

· Emergency Response: Act as or support the Emergency Response Lead with any emergency that may emerge. Deliver training, conduct drills and report the findings.

· Collaboration: Collaborate and contribute to the Cognita ME Health and Safety Network.

· Culture: Act as a role model for Health & Safety and Safeguarding practices, promoting a positive and safe culture within the organisation.

Additional Responsibilities:

· Driving sustainability.

· Supporting health promotion initiatives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• NEBOSH certificate or NEBOSH diploma.
• Knowledge of the ADEK and OSHAD health and safety management systems.
• 3+ years of health and safety experience in an advisory role or equivalent.
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to deliver accurate and clear communications in writing, face to face or by telephone.
• Ability and presence to be proactive and work on own initiative, with limited supervision, and be able to manage concurrent projects and priorities.
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise a heavy workload.
• IT skills: Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook skills.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about H&S, possess strong leadership skills, and thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you!

To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Cognita and the Repton Family of Schools is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 5 years.