Health and Safety Officer

Type: 
Paid
Closing date: 
25 Aug 2025
Section: 
Aldabra

SALARY:                                   SG 8

REPORTING TO:                       Aldabra Island Manager

START DATE:                           21st November 2025

DURATION:                             1 Month

LOCATION:                              UNESCO World Heritage site, Aldabra Atoll

 

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

The Aldabra Health and Safety Officer plays a critical role in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all personnel based on the island. The primary responsibility of the health and safety officer is to provide first-line medical care, emergency support, and health monitoring for all staff residing and working on Aldabra. Given the island’s isolation and limited access to external healthcare, this position is essential for maintaining basic health services and addressing medical needs promptly and effectively.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The candidate will:

1. Medical care

  1. Oversee the immediate physical health, safety, and welfare of Aldabra personnel;
  2. Be responsible for managing any medical incident which occurs (to the limit of their ability), consult with external medical personnel as needed and meticulously document incidents and treatments, including obtaining, compiling and submitting to HO incident reports from all staff involved in incidents;
  3. In the event of an emergency or where the welfare of staff is at risk and beyond the competence of the Medical Officer, liaise with external medical professionals and appropriate personnel to form a crisis management team and ensure that appropriate decisions are taken to manage the situation;
  4. Provide medical advice for and issue resources to treat minor illnesses or injuries in the field, and recommend which cases may need to be treated out of the field;
  5. Be responsible for medical provisions and maintaining supplies via inventory and requisition lists, as well as maintain equipment and ensuring it is well organised;
  6. Keep updated inventory of medical supplies on Aldabra, ensure medical items are ordered well in advance and that expired items are replaced;
  7. Provide updates on inventory and equipment needs as requested;
  8. Visit camps and ensure first aid equipment provided at camps are adequate
  9. Act as a liaison point for Aldabra medical issues, SIF Head Office and SIF medical advisor.

2. Reviewing protocol and providing training

  1. Ensure the existing medical/emergency protocols appropriate to island work are up to date and ensure these medical/safety related procedures are understood and followed by all island staff;
  2. Conduct training sessions and workshops on first aid procedures and adherence to protocols;
  3. Regularly review existing medical protocols and refine them based on feedback from training and real-world experience, fostering a culture of continuous improvement;
  4. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments for work on Aldabra suited to different roles (e.g. logistics work. research work, RaCE work etc)
  5. Develop necessary training materials and advise on training tools and equipment to ensure longevity of procedural integrity;
  6. Keep detailed records of training provided, submit to SIF HO and provide to the Island Manager for reports.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Advanced emergency rescue technician qualification (essential) or paramedic or decree in nursing
  • Emergency (A&E) medical care experience
  • Specific understanding of remote/fieldwork emergency care
  • 3+ years of practical experience in emergency care/hospital/surgery
  • Experience providing medical care in expedition or challenging or remote settings

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

  • Must be mature and calm in crises and demonstrate competency in crisis intervention and decision-making, as well as the ability to exercise good judgment
  • Must demonstrate competency when imparting medical care within the limits of expertise and consulting professionals for additional help as necessary
  • Able to think quickly and decisively in emergency situations; will direct field staff in appropriate course of action in the event of injury or illness
  • Strong physical and mental fitness
  • Meticulous organisation and planning skills
  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
  • An excellent team work ethic
  • A positive, problem-solving and can-do attitude and a passion to learn and develop their skills in practical conservation and invasive species management
  • Ability to live in a community and in a confined and very isolated environment
  • Interest in ecology and the environment is appreciated.
  • Proficiency in Creole and English.

Apply now with an application form (which can be downloaded from our website, or collected at Mont Fleuri or Vallée de Mai Visitor Centre), your C.V. & a cover letter sent to recruitment@sif.sc. Kindly note deadline for application is Monday 25th August 2025.