✨ AI Summary
The HSE Operational Section Head will provide visible, on-the-ground HSE leadership across the yard, maintaining a strong safety presence and empowering staff. Responsibilities include enforcing field supervision standards for equipment and traffic, holding stop-work authority, and resolving safety conflicts. The role involves leading proactive incident and hazard analysis, managing a team of HSE supervisors and emergency responders, and scaling a competency assessment framework for operators and drivers.
Key duties include leading a supervisor development program, translating QHSE strategy into practical workflows, conducting critical incident investigations, and ensuring corrective actions are closed. The position requires fostering a non-punitive hazard reporting culture and supporting the rollout of engineering controls. The Section Head will prepare HSE performance reports and ensure compliance with local laws, DP World QHSE requirements, and ISO standards (45001, 14001, 9001). A degree in Science, Engineering, or Agriculture, full conversancy with Safety Procedures, NEBOSH IGC, and at least 10 years of related experience (including 4 years leading a team) are mandatory. Proficiency in Lead Auditor ISO 45001 and strong skills in leadership, communication, Microsoft Office, and coaching are essential.
Requirements
Educational degree in Science, Engineering, or Agriculture is a must. Must be fully conversant with Safety Procedures and hold NEBOSH IGC certification. Requires at least 10 years of related work experience, with a minimum of 4 years in a leading team role. Proficiency in Lead Auditor ISO 45001 is essential, with preference for internal auditing in ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. Strong command of English, leadership, management, communication, teamwork, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) skills are required, along with excellent coaching and training abilities. A Driving License is also necessary.
Description
Responsibilities and duties:
- Provide visible, on-the-ground HSE leadership across the yard, maintaining a regular presence that reinforces safety standards and empowers frontline staff to intervene confidently.
- Enforce field supervision standards for quay equipment, external trucks, and contractor traffic, including speed limits, traffic segregation, and permit compliance.
- Hold senior-level stop-work authority and act as the primary point of escalation to resolve production-versus-safety conflicts, particularly during peak throughput periods.
- Lead proactive analysis of incident and hazard data to identify root causes before incidents occur, rather than relying solely on reactive, compliance-driven reporting.
- Provide direct line management of the Chief Emergency, Senior HSE Supervisors, HSE Supervisors, and the Emergency response chain, ensuring effective day-to-day supervision and coordination.
- Own and scale the standardized competency assessment framework (minimum 90% pass threshold with mandatory coaching) across all equipment operators and drivers.
- Lead the 3-phase supervisor development program — Competency Assessment, Competency Enhancement, and Engagement (Behavior-based Safety Visits) — to build supervisory capability across the section.
- Translate site QHSE strategy into practical, field-ready workflows, daily toolbox talks, and active yard coaching.
- Carry out critical incident investigations to identify root causes and corrective actions, and provide guidance on the investigation of other incidents with a low severity rating.
- Ensure follow-up and closure of corrective actions arising from incident investigations, audits, and inspections.
- Foster a non-punitive hazard reporting culture that encourages proactive identification of unsafe conditions and unsafe acts.
- Support the rollout of engineering controls and monitoring systems (e.g. In-Vehicle Monitoring System) across high-risk equipment and vehicle operations.
- Prepare and present regular HSE performance reports and metrics to the P&T QHSE Head, highlighting supervision, competency, and safety-culture indicators.
- Ensure compliance with all local laws, DP World QHSE requirements, and applicable ISO standards (45001, 14001, and 9001) within the section's scope.
Qualifications and Certificates:
Educational degree is a must (Science – Engineering – Agriculture ) or related
Fully Conversant with Safety Procedures
NEBOSH IGC
Safety Specialist certificate (recommended)
Train the Trainer
- Driving License
Experience and Knowledge
+10 related work experience (including +4 years leading team)
Lead Auditor ISO 45001, preferably Internal Auditor in ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.
Skills and Abilities:
Excellent command in English, both oral & written
V. good in Leadership and management skills
V. good in Communication skills
V. good teamwork skills.
Excellent in Microsoft Programs: (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
Excellent coaching and training skills