H&S Manager

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development - strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements - from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise - handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

The client is seeking an H&S Manager to establish and lead the health, safety and environmental function for the utility-scale solar PV and battery-storage project at Eland/Brits, North West, South Africa. The role is required immediately to put the project HSE plan, systems and service-provider arrangements in place ahead of and during early works, and to maintain effective site assurance through the anticipated 12-18 month construction cycle.

The ideal candidate will bring direct PV and battery-storage construction HSE experience, strong contractor leadership and the confidence to set and enforce standards from mobilization onward.

Role: H&S Manager

Direct Report: Site Project Director

Candidates required: 1

Deliverables:

• Lead health, safety and environmental delivery for the assigned utility-scale PV and battery-storage project from mobilization through construction and handover.
• Develop, secure approval for and implement the project HSE plan, legal and environmental compliance framework, governance and site assurance; appoint and coordinate required health and safety service providers.
• Establish practical controls for risk assessments, method statements, permits to work, inductions, competency verification, PPE and emergency preparedness.
• Monitor contractor and subcontractor compliance through field engagement, inspections and audits, driving timely closeout of findings.
• Maintain incident-management, investigation, reporting and performance systems, including monthly reports and statistics on material risks and emerging trends.
• Lead HSE training and staff development, issue communications and bulletins, support the Project and Construction Managers and advise the SHEQ Manager.

Experience required:

• At least five years of construction-management experience in a site-construction environment, including leadership of health and safety delivery on utility-scale solar PV projects; direct battery-storage project experience is preferred, while exceptional utility-scale PV candidates may be considered.
• Experience establishing project safety systems during mobilization and early works and sustaining them throughout construction.
• Experience managing contractor safety performance, field assurance, incidents and corrective-action closeout.
• Experience operating within South African construction health and safety requirements or a comparable regulated environment.

• Strong capability in construction risk assessment, safety plans, method-statement review, permit-to-work controls, inspections, audits, incident investigation and emergency preparedness.
• Practical understanding of the hazards and controls associated with utility-scale PV, battery-storage, electrical and general construction activities.
• Ability to establish reliable HSE metrics, reporting, governance and contractor-assurance routines.
• Project or Construction Management certificate.
• SACPCMP registration.
• Working knowledge of the Construction Regulations, Occupational Health and Safety Act, legal liability and hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA), with HVO authorization.
• N3 Electrical or Mechanical Engineering certificate-advantageous; proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Visible and credible leadership with the confidence to intervene.
• Clear, practical communication across a diverse site workforce.
• Calm judgment and disciplined action under pressure.
• A collaborative approach that builds ownership without diluting standards.

• The priority is a site-based construction HSE leader with direct utility-scale PV and battery-storage exposure, not a generalist H&S profile. The candidate must be able to establish systems quickly and influence managers, supervisors and contractors from project start.

Location: Eland/Brits, North West, South Africa

Travel requirements: Site-based; shared project vehicles are provided for work-related transport

Required start date: Immediate; ideally within 1-2 weeks

Contracting period: Direct fixed-term employment, approximately 12-18 months

The successful candidate will be employed directly by the client. South African…