Health Safety Environment and social sustainability
As part of its mission to develop and own renewable Energy Projects as an Independent Power Producer, it use reputable construction and operations companies (EPC and O&M) to construct, operate and maintain its powerplants. This include the deployment of suppliers and service providers related to executing the required mission and ensure the projects materialize within Neoen’s strict guidelines and in acocrdiance with all its stakeholder needs. In this sense, Neoen commits itself to implement appropriate measures to ensure a no harm culture is maintained in terms of Health, Safety and Security of its employees and contractors, as well no damage is caused to the environment or communities are caused in the areas and locations it operate.
To support that objective Neoen has developed a Health, Safety, Environmental and Security (HSE&S) management system, which further aims at the integration of Social Management Systems, as well as aligning such system with international best practices requirements such as ISO 14001 and 45001, and the IFC sustainability standards.
Such management system aims at defining and enforcing the conditions to allow Neoen to properly deliver on its HSE&S commitments and stakeholders, and comply with all applicable standard practices in this field, to the satisfaction of its shareholders as well as its lenders.
Role Purpose
In order to improve and ensure the effective implementation of the company’s HSE&S system, Neoen is hiring a Regional HSES Manager who will be responsible for the development, implementation, control and continuous assessment of the required procedures and controls of Neoen’s HSE&S Management System and oversee its practical application to Neoen’s operations in the Americas, specifically in Canada and the United States, with oversight of its existing operations in central and south America (Argentina, El Salvador and Mexico). Reporting functionally to the Neoen Global HSE Manager based in Paris, France, and from a Matrix perspective to the Regional COO (Americas), the candidate will be further responsible for developing and implementing HSE strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance, driving a strong safety culture, and providing HSE leadership throughout the project lifecycle from development and construction through operations, asset management, repowering, and decommissioning within the Americas regions of Neoen.
The successful candidate will partner closely with Development, Engineering, Construction, Operations, Asset Management teams, early site exploration service providers, EPC and O&M contractors to ensure the higheststandards of health, safety, and environmental performance are achieved while supporting the company's growth objectives.
The position is based in Toronto, with frequent travels to Neoen’s operations sites in the region.
Key Responsibilities
HSE Leadership
- Lead the implementation of the Neoen Americas HSE strategy.
- Promote a culture of Zero Harm through visible leadership and employee engagement.
- Provide expert HSE guidance to senior management and project teams.
- Drive continuous improvement of HSE performance across all business activities.
- Establish annual HSE objectives, KPIs, and improvement plans.
- Regional implementation of Neoen’s global HSE standards and shareholder HSE commitments.
Projects development
- Ensure the terms of reference for projects’ HSE impact assessment studies and due diligence during project development are implemented
- Represent Neoen towards lenders during project due diligences prior to Financing Close
- Ensure group standards, procedures and technical annexes are included in Neoen EPC and O&M contractors during contract negotiations
- Select appropriate HSE advisors when applicable
- Supervise the development of HSE studies (HSE impact assessment, baseline surveys, resettlement action plan, biodiversity action plan, etc…) at regional level
- Supervise project HSE teams and insure group HSE management procedures are translated at project level into a project specific management system, taking into account local constraints as well as lenders requirements
- Support hazard analyses related to thermal runaway, fire protection, emergency response, and energy isolation.
- Ensure compliance with applicable BESS safety standards and manufacturer requirements.
- Support environmental due diligence during project development.
Projects execution
- Provide the necessary support to Neoen’s Americas Project Management Team on all HSE related issues, including site inspections, incident investigation, HSE performance control including site audits
- Review EPC and O&M Contractors HSE plan’s, risks assessments, impacts analysis and safe working procedures, and assess accident root cause analysis as provided by Neoen’s Contractors during projects implementation or assets operations
- Set up and review of appropriate HSE audits procedures and deliverables by Neoen’s contractors during construction and operation of assets
- Ensure framework for emergency preparedness and response implementation at project level by project HSE team
- Ensure effective control of high-risk construction activities including:
- Working at heights
- Electrical work
- Crane and lifting operations
- Excavations
- Energy isolation (LOTO)
- Commissioning activities
HSE governance
- Internal competence for HSE matters applicable to Neoen Americas business
- Responsible for Americas HSE performance monitoring and report to HSE&S Manager
- Propose action plans to continuously improve Neoen Americas HSE performances
- Assess and propose amendment of Neoen’s HSE governance if/when required to HSE&S Manager
- Manage Americas HSE Management System:
1° Risk Analysis
- Undertake a risk analysis to evaluate and rank regionally wide HSE risks and impacts on a regular basis; and ensure high risks are being incorporated in the company overall risk matrix
- Participate in EPC and O&M Contractor assessment during RFP qualification phase
- Review EPC and O&M contracts and ensure applicable HSE requirements are integrated to contract prior to signature
2° Action Plans
- Oversee the execution of action plans defined to mitigate projects adverse impacts to all project stakeholders, including Employees, Contractors, the Environment and the communities
- Share action plans’ implementation status with Neoen’s HSE&S Manager
3° Roles and responsibilities
- Ensure a regional governance system to manage HSE risks and impacts
- Establish clear roles of all projects’ stakeholders in the management of HSE related matters during the development and operation of Neoen Americas assets
- Provide the required support and training related to HSE matters
4° Continuous Performance assessment
- Ensure adequate share of Lessons Learned within Neoen and its Contractors
- Amend and improve existing procedures to industry evolution, or to ad-hoc country regulations, laws or requirements Operational
HSE Management
- Support safe operations and maintenance across Neoen’s operational power plants in the Americas
- Monitor HSE performance and compliance to local standards, regulations, and commitments.
- Support outage planning, major maintenance activities, and asset optimization projects.
- Ensure contractor management requirements are effectively implemented.
- Lead implementation of Battery Energy Storage System safety programs.
- Support hazard analyses related to thermal runaway, fire protection, emergency response, and energy isolation.
- Ensure compliance with applicable BESS safety standards and manufacturer requirements.
- Ensure compliance with environmental permits, licenses, and approvals.
- Participate in emergency response planning and drills for battery facilities.
- Oversee environmental monitoring and reporting requirements.
- Manage compliance programs related to:
- Wildlife and habitat protection
- Waste management
- Spill prevention and response
- Land use and reclamation
- Environmental incident reporting
Risk Management
- Facilitate project and operational HSE risk assessments.
- Maintain HSE risk registers and monitor mitigation effectiveness.
- Support enterprise risk management processes.
- Identify critical and emerging risks and escalate where required.
Incident Investigation
- Lead investigations into incidents, near misses, and environmental events.
- Apply root cause analysis methodologies.
- Ensure timely implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
- Share lessons learned across projects and operating assets.
The candidate will need the following skills and experience to succeed in this role:
- Technical expertise of HSE matters in both an advisor role as well as during their actual implementation on large investment projects
- Successful experience in the development and implementation of practical HSE related management procedures and systems
- Strong HSE background as an advisor, Management System contributor within the IFC performance Standard framework
- Solid knowledge of OHSAS 18001 / ISO 45001 / ISO 14001, Regulations and Codes of Practice, as well as IFC Performance Standards and Equator principles
- NCSO or equivalent construction safety designation
- Previous experience in Health and Safety management within an industrial environment, with demonstrated experience supporting utility-scale projects, preferably in the renewable energy sector, including:
- Wind projects
- Solar PV projects
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Experience of Environment risk management of large industrial projects impact
- Strong leadership, communication teaching and negotiation skills
- Autonomous, innovative, team player, performance driven
- Minimum number of years of experience:
- 7+ years of progressive HSE experience.
- Experience in renewable energy, power generation, utilities, or infrastructure sectors is a plus.
- Languages: English (mandatory), French or Spanish (a plus)
