Health and Safety Officer

GEMS World Academy - Abu Dhabi; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

GEMS World Academy - Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator to manage all non-education, health and safety activities within school business operations. The role supports the Principal/CEO in delivering OSHAD SF-compliant policies, audits, and continuous safety improvements across the campus.

The post requires coordinating risk assessments, training, contractor management, and incident reporting while ensuring regulatory compliance and safe, secure

Qualifications

• Develop, implement and maintain the School OSHMS per regulatory requirements.
• Identify hazards, assess risks and apply control measures across school activities.
• Oversee contractor management, inductions, permits and compliance.
• Promote safety culture through communication and engagement with stakeholders.
• Coordinate training, induction and competency development for staff and contractors.
• Develop and test emergency plans, ensure readiness and alarms.
• Monitor, investigate incidents and report findings to leadership.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and implement corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee OSHAD-SF compliance and updating safety policies.
• Lead risk management across transportation, labs, campuses and facilities.
• Manage contractor performance, safety inductions and approvals.
• Promote safety culture through staff and student engagement.
• Coordinate emergency response and drills across the campus.
• Maintain records, reports and regulatory submissions.
• Ensure facilities, security and operational efficiency meet standards.

Skills

OSH management

Risk assessment

Contractor management

Communication & consultation

Training & competency

Emergency management

Auditing & inspection

Governance & compliance

Tools

OSHMS

BMS

Incident reporting systems

Job description

Job description

2. JOB PURPOSE:

The post holder will be fully responsible to effectively manage all non-education, health and safety related activities within school business operations.

To embody the values, vision and ethos of GEMS Education and assist the Principal/CEO in delivering the health and safety policy which will ensure high quality and successful outcomes.

Job Scope

To be responsible for all elements of OSHAD - SF

Tobe responsible for all internal and external HSE Audits and ensure standards and requirements are met.

To be responsible for updating all health and safety policies in line with OSHAD SF.

Description:

Occupational Safety & Health (OSHAD) Responsibilities

1. Risk Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain the School Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) in accordance with ADPHC/DoH, ADEK, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Conduct hazard identification, risk assessments, and implement appropriate control measures across all school activities, including transportation, student pick-up and drop-off areas, laboratories, sports facilities, and campus operations.
• Implement risk assessment and loss-prevention strategies to safeguard students, staff, visitors, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain the Occupational Injuries Register and ensure effective risk mitigation measures are regularly reviewed and updated.

2. Contractor Management

• Manage and oversee all contractors and third-party service providers to ensure compliance with school health, safety, environmental, and security requirements.
• Ensure all repairs, maintenance, and facilities works are completed by competent contractors in line with GEMS standards and Corporate Estates requirements.
• Monitor contractor performance, service quality, statutory compliance, and value for money.
• Ensure contractor inductions, permits, risk assessments, and method statements are completed and maintained.

3. Communication and Consultation

• Promote a positive safety culture through effective communication, consultation, and engagement with staff, students, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Raise awareness of workplace hazards, emergency procedures, fire safety, traffic management, and safe working practices.
• Liaise with the School Safeguarding Team and relevant authorities to ensure effective supervision, incident prevention, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide regular health, safety, and compliance reports to the Principal and Corporate Safety Team.

4. Training, Awareness and Competency

• Ensure all employees, contractors, and relevant stakeholders receive appropriate health and safety induction, training, supervision, and ongoing competency development.
• Maintain accurate training records and monitor compliance with mandatory training requirements.
• Coordinate first aid provision across the school and ensure adequate trained personnel are available during operational hours.
• Promote awareness of health, safety, environmental, and emergency management requirements.

5. Emergency Management

• Develop, implement, test, and periodically review the School Emergency Response Plan, Business Continuity Plan, and Disaster Recovery procedures.
• Act as the School Health & Safety Coordinator and GEMS Incident Commander during emergencies.
• Ensure fire detection, alarm systems, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment, and fixed safety systems are maintained and tested in accordance with legal requirements.
• Coordinate regular evacuation drills and emergency exercises involving staff, students, contractors, and visitors.
• Remain contactable outside normal school hours and attend site when required under GEMS Critical Incident Response Protocols.

6. Monitoring, Investigation and Reporting

• Monitor health, safety, environmental, and security performance across the school.
• Investigate incidents, accidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions, identifying root causes and corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure timely reporting through ADEK, ADPHC/DoH, GEMS, and other regulatory reporting systems.
• Monitor health and safety trends, identify areas for improvement, and report findings to school leadership.

7. Audit and Inspection

• Conduct regular inspections of school buildings, grounds, facilities, equipment, and operational activities to verify compliance and identify deficiencies.
• Ensure daily site inspections are completed covering security, maintenance, housekeeping, vandalism, and operational risks.
• Monitor compliance with servicing requirements for fire systems, emergency lighting, water hygiene, and other statutory systems.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented and closed out effectively.

8. Compliance and Management Review

• Ensure compliance with all applicable ADEK, ADPHC/DoH, OSHAD, UAE government regulations, GEMS policies, and health and safety legislation.
• Establish and maintain an effective health and safety governance structure with clear responsibilities and accountability.
• Review policies, procedures, systems, and performance indicators regularly to ensure continuous improvement.
• Support school leadership in strategic planning, policy development, business continuity, safeguarding, and sustainable business operations.
• Ensure school facilities, buildings, grounds, and infrastructure remain safe, secure, compliant, and fit for purpose at all times.

Facilities, Security and Operational Responsibilities

• Oversee the efficient operation, maintenance, and security of the school campus, buildings, grounds, and facilities.
• Manage planned preventative maintenance programs and ensure building systems operate effectively.
• Direct essential support services including security, cleaning, waste management, recycling, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Manage utilities, energy conservation, lighting, ventilation, water systems, and environmental controls.
• Ensure CCTV, access control, parking management, and site security arrangements comply with relevant legislation and GEMS requirements.
• Monitor the Building Management System (BMS) and associated alerts where installed.
• Promote effective utilization of school facilities and support community use of the campus where appropriate.
• Lead administration and support service teams to maintain high standards of operational performance and customer service.
• Ensure prudent use of resources through effective planning, budgeting, procurement, and financial management.

Preferred candidate

Years of experience

No experience required