Our growing team is on a mission to change thousands of lives through volunteering in Africa, and we’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Health and Safety Officer to lead on the on-going review of company-wide health and safety policies and practices.
About us
African Adventures organises life-changing trips for groups of schools, colleges and charities to volunteer at the 29 schools we work with in developing areas of Ghana, Kenya and Zanzibar.
We’re a unique organisation that’s both tour operator and development agency. We provide a comprehensive travel service to our volunteer groups, organising everything from their flights and accommodation to their pre-departure support and fundraising ideas, whilst working closely with our partner schools in Africa to ensure we improve school facilities and educational opportunities for their students.
It’s an extremely exciting time to join our expanding team as we continue to grow our company. Due to the growth we have experienced, and expect to see over the coming years, we are in the process of relocating from Eastleigh, to new office premises in Whiteley, which are better able to accommodate our expanding team.
About The Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Health and Safety Officer to lead on the on-going review of company-wide health and safety policies and practices. You will identify any areas of improvement and make recommendations based on relevant legal requirements. You will play an active role in shaping the direction of our environmental and sustainability strategy, whilst considering areas within which we can continue to drive commitment to achieving our aims.
Working in support of the Business Operations Manager, you will ensure the on-going and continued provision of high-quality health and safety policies, procedures and standards across both UK and overseas operations.
About You
This is an exciting opportunity to take on an interesting and challenging role at a unique company. It would suit a friendly, hard-working, and highly organised person, driven by an interest in health & safety on both UK and international levels.
Due to the requirements of this role, you must have had previous experience working within health and safety. Whilst a H&S qualification is not essential, it would be advantageous.
Core Responsibilities
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- Supporting the Business Operations Manager to ensure compliance with H&S legislation
- Communicate H&S policy updates and responsibilities with our team whilst ensuring all employees complete required compliance training
- Support the Business Operations Manager to ensure compliance with our relevant accreditor standards
- Conduct regular risk assessments on UK operations and oversee their completion by in-country teams on programme operations
- Work with the programmes teams to manage the timely renewal of transportation, accommodation and adventurous activity audits as required
- Review staff H&S training programmes to identify any areas of improvement and lead on the tracking of completion of these programmes across the company
- Conduct on-going reviews on Company practices to ensure they are inline with our Environmental and Sustainability policy
What We’re Looking For
Skills/Experience
- Minimum three years’ experience in a similar role (essential)
- Working knowledge of relevant H&S legal requirements and environmental legislation (essential)
- Experience of completing risk assessments (essential)
- Highly organised (essential)
- Friendly, team-orientated attitude (essential)
- Highly motivated and a team player (essential)
- Strong written and communication skills (essential)
- Positive, proactive attitude to problem solving (essential)
- Good IT skills (essential)
- Qualification in H&S (desirable)
- Experience of reviewing international H&S practices (desirable)
- Passionate about international development, volunteering, travel and education (desirable)
Additional benefits
- 25 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing to 30 days after five years’ service
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Enrolment onto annual company bonus scheme
- Benenden cash plan
- Benenden private healthcare
- Hybrid role with flexible working hours
Think You’ll Be a Good Fit?
Please send your CV and a covering letter, outlining why you are suitable for the role and would like to be interviewed for the position, to Kate Clark, Operations Manager (recruitment@africanadventures.co.uk) by 17th January 2025. Interviews will take place week commencing 27th January.
Please note that if the number of applications for the position is high, then we may decide to close the position early, so please apply as soon as possible.