Description
Safety Officer – Job Advert Jobapplication service

Applications are invited from suitably qualified, results oriented and experienced candidates with the requisite credentials to fill the vacancy of Safety Officer that has arisen at The Zimbabwe Bata Shoe Company based in Gweru.

Position Summary:

The EHS Officer supports the Head of Sustainability to embed a robust Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) management system at Bata sites in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia, ensuring compliance, reducing risk, and building a consistent safety culture in alignment with regional and global strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:

1. Safety Policy & System Implementation
• Implement and maintain EHS policies and procedures aligned to applicable Zimbabwean legislation, regulations and Bata global standards.
• Keep the legal register, procedures, permits, and records current and audit ready across all areas of the site.

2. Risk Assessment & Process Safety
• Lead HIRA/JSA and machinery risk assessments (e.g., LOTO, guarding), and support processsafety reviews (e.g., boilers/pressure equipment, combustible dust, chemical handling).
• Track mitigations to closure; escalate systemic risks and resource gaps promptly.

3. Safety Assessment & Compliance Monitoring
• Conduct routine site inspections, internal audits, and compliance checks; assign owners and dates, verify closure.
• Coordinate regulatory inspections and resolve findings with the Department of Employment and Labour and local authorities as required.

4. Incident, Accident & Asset Damage Reporting, Investigation and Remediation
• Lead investigations using rootcause methodology; define corrective and preventive actions, verify effectiveness, and close out on time.
• Maintain incident dashboards and contribute to monthly/quarterly performance reporting.

5. Training & Capacity Building
• Deliver and track statutory and nonstatutory EHS training for employees and onsite contractors; maintain a training matrix with evidence.
• Enable H&S committee effectiveness and embed behaviourbased safety practices.

6. Regulatory Compliance & Reporting
• Prepare structured EHS reports with KPIs, trends, and action status; ensure accurate, timely submissions for internal governance and external regulators/licensing bodies.
• Monitor permit/licence conditions and renewals (e.g., air, water, waste).


7. Contractor Safety & Permit to Work (PTW) Control
• Manage contractor EHS: prequalification, induction, PTW, supervision, daily checks, and toolbox talks.
• Verify the contracting agency’s responsibilities and ensure Bata gatechecks before work starts.

8. Emergency Preparedness & Resource Management
• Maintain site Emergency Response Plans; run drills, ensure equipment readiness (fire systems, spill kits, first aid), and train wardens/first aiders.
• Support site leadership to sustain 24/7 response capability and business continuity interfaces.

9. Environmental Management
• Track energy, water, and waste; deliver reduction initiatives aligned to regional/global targets.
• Ensure compliant handling of hazardous materials, effluent, emissions, and waste (cradletograve documentation and serviceprovider oversight).


Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications, Experience
• Minimum 3+ years EHS experience in manufacturing, warehousing, retail or other operational environments, with a track record of implementing safety, environmental and compliance programmes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Engineering or a related discipline.
• NEBOSH International General Certificate, OSHEMAC, IOSH and/or SAMTRAC (NOSA) professional qualifications will be an advantage.
• First Aid, Fire-Warden and Incident Investigation certificates are also advantageous.
• Strong working knowledge of Zimbabwean Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Legislation, and relevant regulations and statutory instruments.
• Knowledge of applicable Zimbabwean requirements relating to workplace safety, machinery and equipment, hazardous substances and chemicals, occupational health, waste management, emissions, effluent, fire safety and emergency preparedness.
• Practical experience engaging with relevant Zimbabwean regulatory authorities and service providers, including NSSA, EMA and ZERA where applicable; familiarity with statutory inspections, permits, licenses and compliance conditions.
• HIRA/JSA, LOTO, PTW, incident investigation (RCA), ISO 45001/14001 systems, LMS/CMMS; solid Excel/Power BI fundamentals.
• Self-driven, reliable, able to work independently and collaborate across functions; hands-on and improvement focused.

Key Core Competencies & Personal Attributes:
• Operational Excellence
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Communication & Training
• Continuous Improvement