Senior Construction HSSE Specialist

The Senior Construction HSSE (Health, Safety, Security & Environmental) Specialist will provide specialist HSE and security oversight across SolarAfrica construction projects, ensuring EPC contractors and site teams execute work safely, lawfully and in line with SolarAfrica standards, client expectations and practical risk controls.

Position of the job in the organisation: 

The Senior Construction HSE & Security Specialist will report directly to the HSSEC Manager and will work closely with Project Delivery, EPC contractors, clients, security service providers and site leadership teams. 

Principal responsibilities:

EPC Contractor Oversight

• Review contractor HSE, security and safety file compliance.
• Monitor contractor performance through audits, inspections and reporting.
• Escalate non-compliance and stop-work concerns.
• Support contractor onboarding and alignment with SolarAfrica requirements.

Construction Risk, Environmental Management & High-Risk Work

• Review risk assessments, method statements and permit requirements.
• Monitor high-risk construction activities and verify controls on site.
• Integrate HSE, security and environmental requirements into project planning.
• Manage environmental compliance, permits and the Safety File process.

Construction Security Management

• Support site security, access control, asset protection and incident response.
• Monitor and escalate security risks affecting safety, assets or project delivery.
• Coordinate with security providers and project teams to maintain effective controls.

Audits, Inspections & Incident Investigation

• Conduct HSE, security and environmental audits and inspections.
• Investigate incidents, breaches, non-conformances and near misses.
• Report findings, identify root causes and drive corrective actions to close-out.
• Escalate environmental, safety and security risks to relevant stakeholders.

Training, Reporting & Compliance Support

• Support inductions, training, toolbox talks and medical fitness requirements.
• Coach contractors and site teams on HSE compliance and risk controls.
• Contribute to environmental, safety and security reporting and trend analysis.
• Maintain accurate records, reporting systems and compliance documentation.
• Perform other duties required to support project delivery and regulatory compliance.
• Any other job duties associated with this role.

Experience & Skills

• 5-8 years’ HSE experience in construction environments, preferably renewable energy, utility-scale, infrastructure or high-risk project work.
• Strong exposure to EPC contractor oversight and construction site compliance monitoring.
• Relevant HSE qualification such as SAMTRAC, NEBOSH or equivalent; additional security, risk or incident investigation training advantageous.
• Practical understanding of Construction Regulations, permit-to-work systems, high-risk construction activities and incident investigation processes.
• Experience with security systems, guarding, access control, surveillance, theft prevention or site security incident response advantageous.
• Strong MS Office and digital reporting capability. ERP/MS Dynamics experience: Advantageous. AI experience: practical technology-driven mindset advantageous.
• Working knowledge of environmental legislation, environmental management plans, permit requirements and environmental compliance monitoring within construction environments advantageous.
• SACPCMP registered.

Specific attributes:

• Strong field judgement with the confidence to stop unsafe work where required.
• Ability to manage contractor relationships firmly and professionally.
• Excellent report writing and evidence-based close-out discipline.
• Strong understanding of how construction program pressure can influence unsafe behavior.

Desirable attributes:

• Utility-scale or C&I solar PV construction experience.
• Experience working with client auditors or lender requirements.
• Experience managing integrated HSE and security inspections.
• Comfortable travelling to sites and engaging with diverse site teams.
• Experience conducting environmental inspections on construction projects and a working knowledge of environmental compliance requirements.

What Does Success Look Like?

By 3 Months

• I will understand current construction projects, EPC contractors, client requirements and major construction HSE/security risks.
• I will have reviewed active construction safety files, risk assessments, method statements and security arrangements.
• I will establish an inspection and audit rhythm for construction sites.
• I will identify priority corrective actions and contractor performance concerns.

By 6 Months

• I will routinely conduct site inspections, audits and high-risk activity verification with clear reports and action tracking.
• I will have improved visibility of construction contractor HSE and security performance.
• I will support reliable monthly and quarterly reporting with practical construction insights.
• I will have strengthened permit-to-work, security and corrective action close-out discipline.

By 12 Months

• I will be recognized as the construction HSE and security subject matter expert for projects.
• I will demonstrate improved contractor compliance, assurance evidence and close-out discipline.
• I will have embedded proactive risk identification before high-risk construction activities proceed.
• I will contribute to a stronger construction safety culture and reduced reliance on reactive interventions.

Core Values:

We hire, reward, and recognise our team against these values. It is imperative that you believe in these values and demonstrate them consistently.

• We are passionate and proud of what we do.
• We communicate candidly, especially when it is difficult
• We take the initiative, share our mistakes, and grow together
• We are dependable and take accountability
• No one person is bigger than the solution - no egos.

We are currently only considering candidates based in South Africa with valid working rights. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider applications from outside the country at this time.