Health and Safety Officer

AAESS is seeking a dedicated and experienced Health and Safety Officer (HSO) to join our dynamic team in Al-Ain. This is a pivotal role focused on creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for students, staff, and visitors across our school community.

As the Health and Safety Officer, you will be at the forefront of ensuring compliance with Al-Ain Occupational Safety and Health System Framework (OSHAD-SF), ADEK regulations, Cognita Middle East policies, and other relevant local guidelines. You will also drive and support a strong safety culture through training, policy management, risk assessment, and continuous improvement.

As the Health and Safety Officer, you will be at the forefront of ensuring compliance with Al-Ain Occupational Safety and Health System Framework (OSHAD-SF), ADEK regulations, Cognita Middle East policies, and other relevant local guidelines. You will also drive and support a strong safety culture through training, policy management, risk assessment, and continuous improvement.

About AAESS:

Al Ain English Speaking School is one of the oldest schools in Al Ain with a reputation that goes beyond the city boundaries. It sits in the ‘Garden City’ renowned for being an oasis in the desert. AAESS is an all through school with over 2200 children from 3 to 19, and continually growing. The campus is spacious and welcoming and prides itself with good facilities such as our fantastic indoor swimming pool; floodlit tennis courts; 566 seat auditorium; food prep and nutrition kitchen; automotive garage; TV & radio production studio and two Apple Mac suites. We deliver the British Curriculum and offer iGCSE, AS and A Levels, with our 6th Form students securing places in prestigious universities all over the world.

Al Ain English Speaking School is the first school in Al Ain to hold the British Schools Overseas Award, where we are endorsed by the British Government and quality assured by Ofsted. Additionally, the school holds the prestigious Silver Carnegie Mental Health Award, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and the mental well-being of its students and staff.

Al Ain English Speaking School is a caring and multicultural community that enables all individuals to realise their potential in a dynamic and innovative learning environment. We value enquiry, perseverance and reflection, treating one another with respect and integrity, while learning together to become responsible and enterprising global citizens.

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

Key Responsibilities:

• Compliance Monitoring: Ensure adherence to ADEK, Cognita ME, and relevant regulatory HSE guidelines.
• Risk Management: Lead and maintain comprehensive risk assessment procedures and documentation.
• Training & Development: Manage the health and safety training matrix, deliver internal sessions, and support external/ADEK-mandated training.
• Audits & Inspections: Coordinate internal and external audits, respond to findings, and implement corrective actions.
• Incident Management: Investigate incidents, ensure proper documentation, and align reporting with ADEK standards.
• Document Control: Maintain HSE documentation, policies, and ensure compliance with ADEK formatting and Cognita requirements.
• Health & Safety Committee: Chair the committee with a focus on analysis, improvement, and collaboration.
• Safety Culture Leadership: Promote a proactive and positive approach to health and safety across the organisation.
  
  

Successful candidates will:

• Hold bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Hold NEBOSH certificate/diploma.
• Have minimum of 3 years’ experience in a health and safety advisory role.
• Have strong organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Have proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Have IT proficiency (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Have experience in incident investigation and report writing.
• Have Level 3 training qualification. (Desirable)
• Have experience working within the education sector. (Desirable)
• Be Familiar with ADEK/OSHAD systems and regulatory framework. (Desirable)
  
  

Why Join Cognita?

Cognita is a global leader in education, operating over 100 schools across multiple continents. We are committed to safeguarding, wellbeing, and delivering a world-class educational environment. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a values-driven organisation and make a meaningful impact.

Benefits of living in Al Ain & the UAE:

Living in Al Ain City, offers teachers extremely affordable living in an exceptionally friendly and cosmopolitan environment. Staff enjoy an excellent lifestyle, with plentiful leisure facilities (E.g. Rugby, Golf, Swimming, discounted hotel memberships) and fascinating tourist attractions (E.g. Al Ain Zoo, Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet).With the thrill and bright lights of Dubai and Abu Dhabi on our doorstep, staff have extensive opportunities for travel around the Gulf region and further afield.

The position is a full-time, permanent role and offers a highly competitive salary. Applications can be submitted via the TES online application form, only fully completed application will be processed. To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Al Ain English Speaking School and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.

---