HSE Country Business Partner

Overview

Function: General Counsel. Reports to: Health, Safety and Environment Manager. Setup: Hybrid. Location: London, UK.

Why we need this role

Reporting to the HSE North Region Business Partner Lead, the role contributes to and is part of the Group HSE department with a focus on day-to-day HSE operations in the country where based, with links to wider European and Global geographies.

Responsibilities include driving the local HSE Plan of Activities (risk assessments, inspections, medical check-ups, HSE training programme, emergency preparedness) through engagement with external HSE providers to ensure compliance with legal obligations and on-site support for country staff. The role also manages the ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001 certified management system to retain certifications in scope, and supports the HSE North Region Business Partner on RISQS requirements to ensure certification retention.

What you will do

• Support Colt’s Health and Safety Governance model and ensure the country retains ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001 and RISQS.
• Complete HSE administrative tasks locally as needed.
• Provide day-to-day health and safety advisory support to staff within those countries regardless of business area.
• Support and ensure implementation of risk assessment procedures, including those conducted by external providers when applicable.
• Act as Duty Holder according to asbestos regulation in the country.
• Contribute to the formulation of global and local HSE procedures.
• Ensure up-to-date HSE documents in line with local legislation and HSE Management System.
• Maintain records of work carried out accurately and on time.
• Complete Emergency Preparedness activities, including up-to-date and tested emergency plans, fire risk assessments, defined emergency teams, and updated informative documents.
• Manage and implement monitoring inspections/audit programmes, support internal audits, and review asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) where applicable.
• Undertake formal legal impact assessments for the country and extend remit as needed.
• Ensure corrective HSE actions are tracked and followed up until closure in the central action tracker tool.
• Conduct HSE incident investigations and promote a culture of incident reporting.
• Contribute to HSE communication/culture change programmes and web portal content.
• Supervise the completion of e-learning modules released by HSE Group as part of required training for the country in scope.
• Collaborate with HSE team members to achieve group and local HSE goals.
• Support the management of H&S Committee or employee representative relationships in accordance with local regulations.
• Assist in HSE country annual budget forecasting and periodic management; ensure financial information is up-to-date when required.
• Travel within the country to different sites as needed.

Key performance indicators

• HSE Action Plan activities completed
• Number of legal assessments completed
• Incidents reported and investigated
• RISQS certification retained
• ISO 14001:2018 certification retained for the country
• ISO 45001:2018 country implementation levels / certification retained
• HSE assigned budget elements maintained and followed

Relationships and key contacts

• HSE Group team members
• Employees (all types), with focus on operational staff (Facilities, OSP, Critical Infrastructure teams)
• Service Providers (including Facilities / O&E providers HSE support and monitoring)
• Public Administration and regulators (e.g., Labour Inspection, RISQS authorities, Network Rail, HSE, ORR and RAIB)

What we're looking for

Skills & Experience

• 1–2 years’ experience as H&S technician in a company H&S department or external health and safety provider (preferably in a Telecom safety role).
• Experience in an Environmental position with significant knowledge of rail safety in the UK (within a rail contractor or rail infrastructure owner environment).
• Formal recognition as H&S technician (e.g., NEBOSH National General Certificate, Tech IOSH).
• Personal Track Safety certification to attend rail sites.
• Experience managing ISO14001 and/or ISO 45001 certified management systems and RISQS.
• Experience undertaking Fire Risk Assessments.
• Experience in a multi-site business with matrix management, and in the European landscape.
• Experience engaging with people from multiple geographies and cultures.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken; technical writing skills required.
• Full driving licence required.

Person specification

• Customer-focused with a strong service mindset
• Professional etiquette and high ethical standards
• Methodical, structured, and pragmatic approach
• Willing to travel within the country as required
• Comfortable operating in a highly ambiguous and fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage competing priorities independently
• Training or facilitation experience desirable
• Confident engaging with diverse groups and cultures, including local authorities, new joiners, and visitors

It would be desirable

• Construction (Design and Management) – CDM experience
• Experience on CDM-related works
• Computer literacy including Excel (formulas), Word (formatting, hyperlinks and bookmarks), Adobe, SharePoint
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills