Health, Safety and Facilities Manager

The Health, Safety and Facilities Manager is primarily responsible for leading and embedding a robust health and safety culture across the organisation, ensuring full regulatory compliance and safeguarding the wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors. In addition, the role holds responsibility for facilities management and provides strategic oversight of key operational services including school transport, canteen operations, clinic services, after-school activities, security, and cleaning. The position plays a critical role in ensuring that all operational environments are safe, efficient, and aligned with organisational and regulatory standards. Key Responsibilities: A. Health & Safety (Primary Focus): - Develop, implement, and continuously improve health and safety policies, procedures, and systems in line with UAE regulatory requirements, including ADEK School Health & Safety and Emergency Management guidelines - Act as the organisation’s competent Health & Safety lead in line with ADEK expectations for schools - Lead emergency preparedness, including development, testing, and review of school emergency response plans in accordance with ADEK requirements - Conduct regular inspections, risk assessments, and compliance audits aligned to ADEK frameworks and local authority standards - Ensure all schools maintain up-to-date risk registers, incident logs, and statutory compliance documentation as required by ADEK - Drive a proactive health and safety culture through training, drills, awareness campaigns, and stakeholder engagement - Investigate incidents, accidents, and near misses, ensuring reporting and corrective actions meet ADEK reporting protocols - Ensure proper selection, use, and monitoring of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Oversee contractor safety management and third-party compliance on school sites - Maintain accurate data, reporting dashboards, and compliance evidence for internal and external inspections - Liaise with ADEK and other regulatory authorities as required B. Facilities Management (Secondary Responsibility) - Oversee the effective management and maintenance of school facilities to ensure safe, compliant, and fit-for-purpose environments - Coordinate planned preventative maintenance and support capital planning initiatives - Ensure all facilities-related services meet regulatory and organisational standards C. Strategic Operational Oversight: - Provide governance, performance oversight, and continuous improvement for the following services: - School Transport: Ensure safe, compliant, and efficient bus operations in line with UAE transport regulations - Canteen Services: Oversee food safety and hygiene compliance in line with local municipality and health authority standards - Clinic Operations: Ensure compliance with Department of Health requirements and effective student care provision - After-School Activities (ASA): Support safe delivery and risk-managed programming in coordination with third party providers - Security: Ensure robust site security protocols aligned with safeguarding expectations - Cleaning Services: Maintain high standards of hygiene and environmental health D. Policies: - Ensure all policies, both school and group, are effectively embedded within the school environment, consistently implemented in day-to-day operations, and regularly reviewed to reflect best practice and compliance requirements. - Provide oversight to ensure staff understanding, adherence, and alignment through clear communication, training, and monitoring processes. E. Child Safeguarding: At AlephYa, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students is a core priority. All staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of child protection and contribute to a safe and secure learning environment.

Qualifications and Experience: - NEBOSH General Certificate (minimum) or equivalent internationally recognised health and safety qualification - Recognised “competent person” certification aligned with ADEK expectations (e.g. NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH Managing Safely/GradIOSH or equivalent preferred) - 5–10 years’ experience in health and safety, ideally with 5 years in the education sector - Demonstrated experience working within ADEK or UAE school regulatory frameworks - Fluent in English (written and spoken) Preferred Skills: - Experience within the education sector - Arabic language skills