Environment, Safety and Security (ESS) Officer

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO, Development Agency

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Environmental Science, Disaster Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health, Engineering, Social Science, or other relevant fields.

• Relevant training or certification in occupational health and safety, first aid, fire safety, or humanitarian security risk management (e.g. HEAT, SSAFE, NEBOSH) will be an added advantage.

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO, Development Agency

• Minimum 5 years of experience in environment, health and safety, or security management within the development and humanitarian sector, preferably in refugee camp settings in Cox’s Bazar and in WASH, Livelihoods, or Refugee and Host Community Resilience programs.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting environmental screening, safety audits, and security risk assessments, and in developing SOPs and contingency plans.

• Good understanding of the humanitarian coordination structure and operating regulations in Cox’s Bazar, including RRRC, CiC, ISCG and relevant government requirements for NGOs.

• Good understanding of Do-No-Harm, safeguarding, PSEA, gender, protection and inclusion principles.

• Ability to train, mentor and raise awareness among staff, volunteers and contractors.

• Excellent communication, reporting and interpersonal skills, with sound judgement and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Ability to work independently, handle multiple priorities under tight schedules, and willingness to travel and work in camps and remote field locations, including outside regular hours during emergencies.

• Fluency in English and Bangla. Knowledge of local dialects of Cox’s Bazar will be an added advantage.

Project: Lifesaving and transitional support to refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh.

Location: Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.

Vacancy: 1

Employment Status: Full-time

Duration: 5 Month (1 Nov ’26 to 31 March ’27)

Application Deadline: 07/11/2026

Report to: Project Coordinator

Job Context

PHALS is a non-governmental organization (NGO) working in the field of humanitarian assistance and development since 1996. In this continuation, PHALS is going to implement the Lifesaving and transitional support to refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh Project in Cox’s Bazar funded by FCDO and supported by IOM. We are seeking a qualified and Skilled Environment, Safety and Security (ESS) Officer who will lead environmental screening, occupational health and safety, and security risk management for staff, volunteers, contractors, partners, assets and project participants, and will ensure compliance with PHALS policies, donor requirements, and Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian sector standards. The position requires a strong field presence, sound judgement in a complex operating environment, and proven experience in humanitarian settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the project’s environmental screening and management plan, including environmental risk assessment of WASH and livelihood activities (e.g. latrines, water points, drainage, solid waste management and livelihood inputs) before and during implementation.

• Ensure environmentally sound practices in project sites, including safe faecal sludge and solid waste management, minimal tree cutting and slope disturbance, site restoration after works, and promotion of energy-efficient and eco-friendly alternatives.

• Monitor environmental impacts of project interventions, recommend corrective actions, and support climate and disaster risk reduction measures (monsoon, cyclone, flood and landslide preparedness).

• Develop, implement and regularly update the project’s health and safety plan, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments for construction, rehabilitation and field activities.

• Conduct regular safety inspections of work sites, offices, warehouses and vehicles; ensure availability and proper use of PPE, first aid kits and fire safety equipment; and follow up on corrective actions.

• Train and orient staff, volunteers and contractors on occupational health and safety, fire safety, first aid, road safety and emergency response, and organize drills as required.

• Report, investigate and document all accidents, incidents and near misses within the required timeframe; maintain an incident register and share lessons learned to prevent recurrence.

• Conduct security context analysis and risk assessments; develop and maintain security SOPs, contingency, evacuation and emergency response plans; and advise the Project Manager and management on staff movement and field access.

• Monitor the local security situation, maintain regular contact with RRRC, Camp-in-Charge (CiC) offices, law enforcement agencies and relevant coordination forums, and disseminate timely security updates and alerts to project staff.

• Ensure the security of staff, premises, assets, cash and supplies, including staff movement tracking, communication protocols, and coordination with security service providers.

• Brief and induct new staff, visitors and contractors on safety, security and the PHALS code of conduct.

• Ensure that Do-No-Harm, conflict-sensitive, safeguarding, gender and inclusion principles are integrated into project operations, and that community safety and protection concerns are referred through appropriate and accessible channels.

• Coordinate with sector partners, UN agencies (including IOM), donors and government authorities on ESS compliance, and represent the project in ESS-related coordination meetings as required.

• Prepare periodic ESS reports, contribute to project progress reports, and document best practices and lessons learned to support organizational learning.

• Uphold PHALS’ values, code of conduct, and commitment to safeguarding and PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment).

• Salary: BDT 50,000/- per month, and other benefits as per project budget.