Health & Safety Manager

Health & Safety Professional

We are seeking an experienced Health & Safety professional, at Senior Officer or Manager level, to lead occupational health and safety at our terminal operations in Basra, Iraq. This is a hands-on, field-based role for someone comfortable operating in a challenging and complex operating environment, while maintaining close and structured coordination with head office and international financial institutions including the IFC.

This role sits within a terminal operation financed in line with international standards, and the successful candidate will be expected to embed IFC Performance Standards (particularly PS2 on Labor and Working Conditions) into day-to-day site practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the terminal's Health & Safety program, ensuring safe execution of all stevedoring activities, cargo handling, lifting, other terminal activities and full compliance with local Iraqi regulations, international maritime/port safety standards, and IFC Performance Standards.
• Maintain and continuously improve site-level H&S management systems (risk assessments, incident investigation, permit-to-work, emergency response planning, contractor management).
• Conduct regular field inspections and audits across terminal operations and contractors, identifying hazards and driving corrective action to closure.
• Build and maintain a strong safety culture among terminal staff, contractors, and third-party operators on site.
• Prepare clear, high-quality written reports (in English) for head office, shareholders, and IFC/lender reporting requirements — including incident reports, monthly H&S performance data, and periodic compliance updates.
• Liaise directly with IFC and/or other lenders during site visits, audits, or supervision missions, representing the terminal's H&S performance and improvement plans.
• Support implementation and continual improvement of the Occupational Health and Safety management system (ISO 45001) and the company health and safety procedures.
• Support emergency preparedness and response planning specific to the operating context in Basra.
• Manage relationships with local authorities, regulators, and emergency services as required.
• Mentor and build capability within the local H&S team over time.

Minimum Qualifications /Experience/Skill:

Required:

Significant professional experience (with a minimum of 6 years) in occupational health & safety management, ideally within ports, terminals, logistics, heavy industry, oil & gas, or infrastructure sectors. Working knowledge of IFC Performance Standards (particularly PS1 and PS2) and/or Equator Principles-aligned environments. Demonstrated ability to work independently in a demanding field environment while maintaining rigorous reporting discipline back to head office.

Excellent written and spoken English — reporting quality and clarity are essential given the audience (shareholders, IFC, lenders). Willingness and ability to relocate to and reside in Umm Qasr, Iraq for a minimum of 2 years. Strong stakeholder management skills, with the composure to engage confidently with senior head office management and external financial institutions. Advantageous:
Arabic language skills (spoken). Prior experience working in Iraq or comparable higher-risk/complex operating environments (Middle East, Africa, conflict-affected or post-conflict settings). Recognized H&S qualification (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH, or equivalent). Experience supporting IFC/DFI site supervision missions or audits.

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.