Health and Safety Officer

GEMS Education; Abu Dhabi; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

GEMS Education in Abu Dhabi is seeking a senior Health, Safety and Compliance professional to drive OSHAD SF compliance, audits, and policy updates across the campus. You will lead risk assessments, develop the School OSHMS, and oversee contractor management to ensure safety standards are met.

Responsibilities include coordinating training, incident reporting, emergency planning, and liaising with ADEK/DoH to maintain high safety standards for students and staff.

Qualifications

• BA or equivalent diploma required with safety focus.
• NEBOSH or IOSH certification preferred.
• 5+ years in a senior safety/OSH role in an education or service setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead OSHAD SF compliance and internal/external audits.
• Develop, implement and maintain the School OSHMS per regulations.
• Conduct hazard identifications and risk assessments across campus activities.
• Manage contractor inductions, permits, risk assessments and MSMs.
• Coordinate training, incident reporting and emergency plans.
• Report safety performance to leadership and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Fluent English

Attention to detail

Organizational ability

Forethought & planning

Supervisory skills

Education

BA or equivalent diploma

NEBOSH or IOSH

Job description

Job Description:

Job Description

Job Scope

To be responsible for all elements of OSHAD – SF

To be 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.

Occupational Safety & Health (OSHAD) Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills Description

Expected Qualifications

Minimum a BA, or equivalent (advanced) diploma / Certificate of School Business Management / Facilities Management / NEBOSH or IOSH

Expected Experience

At least 5 years’ experience in a senior level position within a service oriented industry

Job-Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner. Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.
• Organizational ability, of self and others.
• Forethought and forward planning (particularly as this relates to local Government compliance matters).
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity. Good interpersonal skills
• Strong and consistent supervisory skills
• Commercial acumen

Initiate effort and energy beyond the typical workday, where the tasks require additional commitment.

GEMS Safeguarding

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive, and we expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment practices, all successful applicants will be subject to comprehensive pre-employment checks, including verification of identity, qualifications, employment history, professional references, and criminal record checks from all countries of residence and employment, in line with local and international safeguarding requirements. These checks may include enhanced disclosure, prohibition, barring, and overseas police clearance checks where applicable. We are committed to recruiting individuals who uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and child protection.

Requirements: