Job Purpose

KAUST, in partnership with NEOM, operates the world's largest coral reef conservation, enhancement, and restoration initiative at Shushah Island in the Red Sea. The operation includes industrial-scale coral nurseries, long-term reefscape field activities, marine and diving operations, research facilities, workshops, offices, and permanent operational infrastructure within a remote and environmentally sensitive setting.

The HSE Specialist supports the safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible operation of KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative. The role is responsible for implementing and maintaining operational Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) controls, ensuring continuous compliance with KAUST, NEOM, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) requirements.

The position focuses on routine operational assurance, including inspections, monitoring, audits, incident management, environmental compliance, and workforce engagement across marine, facility, laboratory, field, and support operations. The HSE Specialist acts as a visible field presence, supporting safe work practices, environmental protection, and ongoing improvement of the HSE management system.

This role is site-based at the KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative at NEOM with occasional travel to KAUST as required.

Major Accountabilities

HSE Management System

Implement and maintain the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Management System in alignment with KAUST, NEOM, and applicable Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regulatory requirements.

Risk Assessment

Perform risk assessments and environmental aspects and impacts reviews for routine and non-routine activities across marine operations, facilities, laboratories, workshops, offices, and field activities.

Safety & Environmental Inspections

• Conduct routine HSE inspections, field verifications, and compliance monitoring across:
• Marine and vessel operations
• Coral nursery operations
• Laboratories and workshops
• Offices, welfare facilities, and operational facilities
• Identify, report, and follow up on unsafe conditions, non-compliance, and improvement opportunities.

Environmental Compliance & Monitoring

Support environmental compliance and monitoring activities, including meeting permit and consent requirements, implementing environmental mitigation measures, managing waste, ensuring spill prevention controls, conducting environmental inspections, maintaining monitoring records, and fulfilling environmental reporting obligations.

Audits & Assurance

Conduct planned and ad hoc HSE and environmental audits, support corrective action tracking, and verify effective close-out of findings.

Facility Safety

Monitor and verify facility safety systems and controls, including lifting operations, confined spaces, electrical safety, Permit to Work, and general workplace safety.

Marine Safety

Support marine safety by verifying compliance with approved operational procedures, vessel safety standards, and applicable marine regulations.

Training & Awareness

Support the delivery of HSE inductions, toolbox talks, safety briefings, and environmental awareness programs to promote a strong safety and environmental protection culture.

Contractor & Service Provider Management

Support HSE compliance of contractors and service providers during operational activities, including onboarding, inspections, performance monitoring, and reporting.

Incident Management

Participate in the reporting, investigation, and analysis of HSE and environmental incidents and near misses, including root cause analysis, and support the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.

Emergency Preparedness

Assist with operational emergency preparedness, drills, and readiness for marine, environmental, medical, and facility-related emergency scenarios.

Stakeholder Engagement

Liaise with KAUST and NEOM HSE teams, environmental representatives, emergency services, and other relevant stakeholders as directed by the HSE Manager.

Documentation & Records

Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date HSE records, inspection logs, monitoring data, reports, and compliance documentation in accordance with internal and external requirements.

Professional Conduct

Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism, maintain a visible field presence, and actively promote a positive safety and environmental protection culture.

Carry out any other HSE-related duties assigned by the HSE Manager in support of safe, compliant, and efficient operations.

Person Requirements

Competencies

• Strong operational knowledge of health, safety, and environmental management.
• Hands-on experience conducting inspections, audits, and compliance monitoring.
• Understanding of environmental compliance and operational environmental controls.
• Experience working in remote, operational, and environmentally sensitive environments.
• Incident investigation and reporting capability.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
• High attention to detail with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to manage routine activities while responding to operational issues.
• Professional judgement, integrity, and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Environmental Science, Health & Safety, Marine Science, or a related discipline.
• International certification in an applicable HSE area preferred (i.e., IOSH, NEBOSH, CSP, etc.).
• First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.

Experience

• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant experience in marine health, safety, operations, and logistics, or related or relevant field.