Project HSE Manager

Purpose of the Role

The Project HSE Manager is a senior Teraco HSE role based on site and appointed as the client HSE representative for the project. The role is responsible for providing HSE oversight, governance, assurance and support across the project lifecycle. This includes ensuring that contractors work in line with legal requirements, Teraco requirements, approved HSE documentation, site.

Objectives

Main Functions Of The Job

• Act as Teraco’s site-based HSE representative for the assigned project.
• Provide HSE oversight, governance, assurance and support on behalf of Teraco.
• Ensure contractors work in line with Teraco’s HSE Specification, Permit to Work requirements and other applicable Teraco requirements.
• Maintain regular visibility on site and engage with contractors, project teams, clients and internal stakeholders in a professional and helpful manner.
• Ensure HSE coordination and assurance is maintained during both Principal Contractor-managed phases and phases where Teraco directly manages multiple contractors.

Contractor HSE Files, Documentation and Approvals

• Ensure contractor HSE files are reviewed and approved before work starts.
• Review contractor HSE files and submissions personally where required, and ensure that the Project HSE Officer or other competent HSE team members support this process where applicable.
• Ensure contractor legal documentation, appointments, competencies, risk assessments, method statements, procedures and other HSE submissions are reviewed for adequacy, compliance and alignment to Teraco requirements.
• Ensure any submission that is below standard, incomplete, generic or not aligned to Teraco requirements is returned, rejected or revised before acceptance.
• Ensure contractors are issued with the relevant Teraco HSE information, procedures and control requirements for their scope of work.
• Ensure that any delegated review or support function is carried out by a competent person and to the required standard.

Monitoring, Audits, Risk Management and Site Control

• Ensure contractor audits are conducted as required, including monthly audits of direct contractors where applicable.
• Conduct audits, inspections, site walks and field verification activities personally where required, and ensure that these are also carried out by the Project HSE Officer or HSE team where delegated.
• Ensure risk assessments, method statements and control measures remain suitable for the work, the site conditions and the relevant project phase.
• Identify, monitor and escalate changing risks, interface risks, recurring control failures and high-risk activities on site.
• Ensure virtual tours are conducted, recorded and tracked to close-out.
• Monitor site conditions, high-risk work and contractor performance, and ensure that gaps are raised and addressed.
• Ensure emergency preparedness procedures, traffic management plans, crane management plans and other required plans are current and issued to contractors during the relevant project phases.
• Attend and co-lead DABS and other relevant coordination meetings.
• Update the Baseline Risk Assessment after incidents or material changes in the site risk profile.

Incident Management & Reporting

• Ensure incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions are reported and managed in line with Teraco requirements and the HSE Specification.
• Oversee contractor investigations and provide support, guidance and challenge where needed.
• Lead investigations where instructed, or where incident severity or potential severity requires direct Teraco involvement.
• Review contractor investigations and Root Cause Analysis reports before presentation to management.
• Ensure information is captured timeously on Ozone, Rapid and other required systems.
• Ensure Root Cause Analysis reports are submitted within the required timeframes and presented to the Regional HSE Manager and National HSE Manager where required.
• Ensure investigation actions are tracked and followed through to closure.

Procedures, Systems and Improvement

• Support the implementation and improvement of Teraco HSE procedures and systems on site.
• Assist in developing, reviewing and refining procedures where required.
• Support the application of LOTO, energisation and Permit to Work requirements.
• Provide commissioning HSE oversight and support Operations Infrastructure Management Project activities where required.
• Provide feedback to the Regional HSE Manager and National HSE Manager on site risks, system gaps, recurring issues and improvement needs.

Team Leadership and Development

• Manage, support and guide the Project HSE Officer.
• Provide mentoring, coaching and practical support to the Project HSE Officer and HSE Administrator.
• Ensure that delegated HSE duties are carried out by competent persons.
• Support the growth, learning and development of junior HSE personnel.

Job Requirements

Skills Requirement

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of South African construction health and safety legislation and related legal requirements.
• Strong understanding of client-side HSE oversight, contractor management, governance and assurance.
• Good knowledge of risk assessment methodologies and practical risk management.
• Good understanding of construction, fit-out, commissioning and contractor interface risks in data centre or mission-critical environments.
• Working knowledge of Permit to Work, LOTO, energisation and incident management systems.
• Ability to review HSE files, legal appointments, competencies, risk assessments, method statements, procedures and control plans to the required standard.
• Proficiency in HSE reporting systems, action tracking tools and digital management platforms.

Leadership & Management Skills

• Ability to lead, guide and influence contractors, project teams and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to manage, support and mentor the Project HSE Officer and HSE Administrator.
• Strong contractor management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to enforce compliance while maintaining professional and workable relationships.
• Good decision-making ability in high-risk, fast-paced project environments.
• Ability to ensure delegated duties are carried out properly and by competent persons.

Communication Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to engage professionally and respectfully with employees, contractors, management and clients.
• Ability to present findings, investigations, concerns and recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to deliver guidance, coaching and support in a practical and effective manner.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Strong incident investigation and Root Cause Analysis capability.
• Ability to identify trends, recurring issues, weak controls and system gaps.
• Ability to review contractor submissions and identify where controls are weak, incomplete or not suitable for the work.
• Attention to detail with a structured and practical approach to risk management and close-out.

Personal Attributes

• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Professional, respectful and helpful approach.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn continuously.
• Strong commitment to safety, compliance and high standards.
• Willingness to support and develop junior employees.
• Resilience and adaptability in dynamic project environments.

Qualifications And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Engineering or related field.
• SACPCMP registration as a Construction Health and Safety Manager.
• Minimum 5 - 8 years of relevant HSE experience, with at least 2 years in a management or senior HSE role within a large organisation or complex project environment.
• Proven experience in construction, infrastructure, fit-out or similarly high-risk project environments.
• Demonstrated experience in contractor management, compliance oversight, incident management and HSE assurance.
• Experience in reviewing and approving HSE files, risk assessments, method statements and contractor procedures.
• Experience in mission-critical facilities such as data centres, power plants or similar environments will be highly advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of South African construction health and safety legislation and related legal requirements.
• Experience with digital HSE management systems and reporting platforms.
• Willingness to support other projects or urgent business requirements as directed.