H&S Adviser - Sheffield - University of Sheffield

Description

Job Description

Job Title: H&S Adviser

Posting Start Date: 21/10/2025

Job Id: 1743

School/Department: Health & Safety

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£): 38784

Closing Date: 02/11/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

The Health and Safety Adviser will provide professional advice, guidance and assistance to academic and professional service departments, assisting the Head of Health and Safety and the Health and Safety Managers to provide health and safety (H&S) support to the University in ensuring compliance with all aspects of H&S legislation across the University campus and its residences.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the delivery of the 3-year H&S plan, specifically those aspects associated with enhancing our H&S culture. This will include dissemination of tools, communications, events and activities.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide professional advice and H&S support to all stakeholders within schools/departments on a wide range of health and safety topics.
• Be the main point of contact to staff for an allocated portfolio of schools/departments, for all types of H&S queries, providing timely support, specialist advice and problem resolution.
• Ensure that the University's H&S policies and procedures are implemented effectively within the prevailing legal framework, seeking advice and guidance from H&S Managers where required.
• Plan and undertake project work that contributes more broadly to University-wide initiatives/ objectives, particularly those identified in the University strategy for enhancing H&S culture.
• Carry out internal H&S audits, in line with the team's wider strategic plan, setting recommendations and ensuring action plans are closed out in a timely manner.
• Monitor the accident reporting system ensuring accidents/incidents and near misses are appropriately investigated at Department/School level.
• Create, develop, maintain and review manuals, bulletins, guidance and webpages as appropriate. This includes the development of general procedures, policies and safety working practices in conjunction with relevant departments to ensure legal compliance and best practice are met.
• When required, independently undertake H&S investigations, prepare timely reports on the findings and recommend remedial actions for consideration.
• Carry out regular H&S inspections to monitor the effective implementation of policies and safe working procedures at school/departmental level. Recommend remedial actions to achieve compliance, and monitor progress.
• Collaborate with wider University stakeholders to deal with the H&S aspects of emergencies and major incidents, as required.
• Deliver H&S training, in line with the agreed central training programme.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Certified Membership of IOSH (or equivalent recognised health and safety professional body)

Essential

Application

Substantial experience of working in a health and safety role in a complex and fast moving organisation

Essential

Application/ Interview

Experience of working in the Higher Education Sector

Desirable

Application/ Interview

Experience of delivering health and safety training

Essential

Application/ Interview

Experience in health and safety auditing, inspections and accident investigations

Essential

Application/ Interview

Experience of using analytical ability to identify and implement solutions

Essential

Application/ Interview

Proven ability to deliver excellent outcomes in a health and safety role

Essential

Application/ Interview

Ability to communicate effectively at all levels with confidence and confidentiality

Essential

Application/ Interview

Ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail

Essential

Application/ Interview

Excellent customer service skills with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to queries

Essential

Application/ Interview

A recognised qualification in adult teaching and/or internal auditor certification

Desirable

Application/ Interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

£38,784 - £47,389

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

Until 30 November 2026

[1] Line manager

Health & Safety Manager

Direct reports

None

Our website

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dionne Edwards, Head of Health and Safety: on or on

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 11th November 2025 This will consist of an interview only. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 11th November 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Debra Fisher,

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: ().

What we offer

• A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 02/11/2025

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.