Environment & Safety Manager (Upstream Oil & Gas Waste Management) – Kenya at WTS Energy

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead implementation of environmental compliance programs for drilling waste and hazardous waste management operations.
• Ensure compliance with Kenyan environmental, occupational safety, petroleum, and waste management regulations, as well as international industry standards and client HSE requirements.
• Coordinate environmental permitting, waste transportation approvals, hazardous waste manifests, and operational licensing requirements.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities and relevant government agencies on environmental and safety compliance matters.
• Oversee environmental monitoring programs including soil, groundwater, wastewater, emissions, and waste tracking systems.
• Develop and implement HSE Management Systems aligned with ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and international upstream oil & gas standards.
• Lead hazard identification, risk assessments, and operational control programs.
• Establish safe systems of work for waste handling, drilling waste treatment, chemical handling, transportation operations, and emergency response activities.
• Conduct incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Monitor contractor safety performance and enforce HSE compliance standards across subcontractors and field teams.
• Support project mobilisation and operational readiness activities.
• Develop HSE procedures, SOPs, manuals, registers, forms, and operational controls for project startup activities.
• Participate in facility design reviews and support commissioning of waste treatment technologies and operational equipment.
• Establish waste tracking, manifesting, and reporting systems.
• Serve as the primary HSE focal point for clients, regulators, auditors, and project stakeholders.
• Prepare environmental and safety reports, dashboards, and operational updates for management and stakeholders.
• Develop and implement HSE induction and competency training programs.
• Conduct training on hazardous waste handling, emergency response, spill prevention, permit-to-work systems, and operational safety.
• Promote strong HSE culture, continuous improvement, and compliance across all operational levels.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned in support of project operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have a Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related technical discipline. A master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Must have a minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience within upstream oil & gas, hazardous waste management, industrial waste treatment, or environmental compliance operations.
• Experience supporting upstream oil & gas projects, drilling operations, or hazardous waste management activities is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of drilling waste streams including oil-based muds, water-based muds, drill cuttings, contaminated soils, sludge, and chemical waste.
• NEBOSH, IOSH, ISO 14001/45001 Lead Auditor, HAZWOPER, or equivalent HSE certifications will be an added advantage.
• Strong experience in environmental compliance, incident investigation, contractor management, and operational risk management activities.
• Strong understanding of hazardous waste treatment, disposal technologies, and environmental monitoring systems.