QHSE Officer

1. Job PurposeThe QHSE Officer is responsible for monitoring, implementing, and maintaining Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental standards across Swissport's airport ground handling operations.The role ensures compliance with Swissport's corporate QHSE policies, applicable Saudi Arabian regulations, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) requirements, and relevant international aviation safety standards.The QHSE Officer supports the development of a proactive safety culture, identifies operational risks, conducts inspections and investigations, and promotes continuous improvement to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient ground handling operations.2. Key ResponsibilitiesA. Safety Management & ComplianceMonitor compliance with Swissport safety policies, operational procedures, and airport safety regulations.Conduct regular safety inspections across ramp, passenger services, baggage handling, cargo, and other applicable operational areas.Identify unsafe acts, hazardous conditions, and operational risks, and recommend corrective actions.Support the implementation and continuous improvement of the Safety Management System (SMS).Ensure compliance with applicable GACA requirements, airport authority regulations, and Swissport Global Standards.Monitor the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety procedures.Promote a positive safety culture and encourage proactive hazard reporting.B. Quality Assurance & Operational AuditsConduct scheduled and unannounced operational inspections and quality checks.Support internal and external audits, including airline customer audits and regulatory inspections.Monitor compliance with applicable IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM), ISAGO standards, and Swissport operational procedures.Identify operational non-conformities and coordinate corrective and preventive actions.Follow up on audit findings to ensure timely closure and effectiveness.Maintain accurate quality inspection records and compliance documentation.C. Incident Investigation & Risk AssessmentParticipate in investigations of aircraft damage, ground support equipment incidents, employee injuries, near misses, and other operational occurrences.Collect evidence, interview relevant personnel, and prepare investigation reports.Support root cause analysis and recommend corrective and preventive measures.Conduct operational risk assessments and Job Safety Analysis (JSA) when required.Monitor implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.Ensure timely escalation and reporting of incidents according to Swissport procedures.D. Occupational Health, Safety & EnvironmentMonitor occupational health and workplace safety practices.Conduct workplace inspections to identify potential health and environmental hazards.Support emergency response preparedness, evacuation drills, and safety exercises.Monitor compliance with environmental requirements, including waste management, spill prevention, and pollution control.Coordinate with operational teams to ensure safe handling and storage of hazardous materials where applicable.Support initiatives to reduce workplace injuries and environmental incidents.E. Training & Safety AwarenessConduct safety briefings, toolbox talks, and awareness campaigns.Identify safety training needs and coordinate with the Training Department.Communicate safety alerts, lessons learned, and changes to QHSE procedures.Support employee awareness of incident reporting, emergency response, and hazard identification.Monitor compliance with mandatory QHSE training requirements.F. Reporting & DocumentationPrepare daily, weekly, and monthly QHSE inspection and performance reports.Maintain accurate records of safety observations, incidents, investigations, audits, and corrective actions.Monitor QHSE performance indicators and identify trends requiring management attention.Report significant safety concerns immediately to the relevant QHSE management and operational leadership.Maintain confidentiality and accuracy of investigation and compliance records.3. Required CompetenciesSafety Awareness: Strong commitment to operational safety and risk prevention.Attention to Detail: Ability to identify unsafe conditions, non-compliance, and operational deficiencies.Analytical Skills: Ability to assess incidents, identify root causes, and recommend practical solutions.Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with operational employees, supervisors, and management.Integrity & Accountability: Ability to report findings objectively and maintain professional independence.Problem Solving: Ability to recommend effective corrective and preventive actions.Teamwork: Ability to collaborate with Operations, Training, HR, and other support departments.Decision Making: Ability to recognize serious safety risks and escalate concerns promptly.4. Authority & AccountabilityThe QHSE Officer is authorized, within delegated authority and Swissport procedures, to:Report unsafe practices and non-compliance directly to QHSE management.Recommend immediate suspension of unsafe activities and initiate stop-work intervention where authorized by company procedures.Request corrective actions from responsible operational departments.Escalate serious safety risks, incidents, and repeated violations to management.Access relevant operational areas and records for approved inspections and investigations.The QHSE Officer is accountable for the accuracy of QHSE reporting, timely escalation of significant risks, and professional, objective performance of assigned duties.HR Recommendation – Swissport Saudi ArabiaFor recruitment purposes, I recommend classifying this position as an operational QHSE role, with strong emphasis on ramp safety, incident investigation, operational inspections, and regulatory compliance.Candidates with previous experience in airport ground handling, airline operations, or aviation safety should be prioritized. NEBOSH or IOSH certification can be considered an advantage rather than a mandatory requirement, unless required by the approved company competency framework.This is a proposed job description suitable for Swissport Saudi Arabia's recruitment and HR documentation, subject to confirmation against Swissport's approved global job profiles and internal reporting structure.