National Infrastructure Risk and Safety Advisor

National Infrastructure Risk and Safety Advisor

National Infrastructure Risk and Safety Advisor

Purpose of the Role

To provide expert risk management and safety leadership across national infrastructure and construction projects, ensuring the protection of employees, contractors, and the public. The role focuses on establishing, implementing, and coordinating safety governance frameworks across key sectors including construction, electrical, and water infrastructure.

The postholder will lead initiatives to ensure that all projects and operations comply with legal, regulatory, and industry standards, while promoting best practice and continuous improvement in safety management.

Requirements

Governance, Compliance & Standards

Provide technical and strategic advice on the interpretation and application of safety legislation, construction regulations, and technical standards.

Develop and oversee corporate policies and safety frameworks for managing infrastructural risk across major projects and asset portfolios.

Liaise with regulatory authorities (e.g., HSA, environmental agencies, fire authorities) to ensure compliance with relevant statutory and technical obligations.

Lead the establishment of a National Safety Group to coordinate and share best practices across construction, electrical, and water infrastructure sectors.

Support the rollout of consistent safety governance, auditing, and reporting frameworks across all participating organizations.

Risk Management & Project Safety Oversight

Oversee and guide risk assessments and safety planning during the design, construction, commissioning, and maintenance phases of infrastructure projects.

Evaluate project-specific infrastructural and operational risks, recommending appropriate mitigation strategies.

Monitor and report on safety performance metrics, including audits, inspections, and incident trends.

Lead or support incident investigations, ensuring robust root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.

Ensure that lessons learned from incidents and audits are shared nationally to improve standards and consistency.

National Safety Group Development

Establish and chair a multi-sector National Safety Group comprising representatives from key industries (construction, electrical, water, utilities, and infrastructure).

Define terms of reference, governance structure, and communication protocols for the group.

Facilitate knowledge sharing, benchmarking, and alignment on safety standards, contractor management, and training initiatives.

Coordinate the development of industry-wide safety improvement programmes and joint risk reduction strategies.

Represent the organization at national safety forums and cross-industry working groups.

Training, Development & Communication

Identify safety and risk management training needs across projects and departments.

Support the development and delivery of competency-based training programmes for engineering, project, and site teams.

Promote awareness campaigns and workshops to embed a proactive safety culture across all levels of the organization and its partners.

Provide guidance materials, technical bulletins, and reports to communicate lessons learned and promote standardization.

Support programme planning and prioritization by identifying safety-critical risks in project delivery.

Monitor the performance and compliance of external contractors and service providers.

Ensure pre-qualification, permit-to-work, and contractor management systems are robust and consistently applied.

Participate in the review of Emergency and Business Continuity Plans related to project and infrastructure operations.

Specialist Areas of Infrastructural Risk

Provide expert guidance and oversight in specialist risk domains, including:

Construction site safety and temporary works management

Electrical and mechanical safety

Water and wastewater infrastructure risk control

Confined space and working-at-height safety

Fire and life safety systems

Environmental and occupational exposure monitoring

Asbestos management and monitoring

Qualifications and Experience

Degree in Engineering, Safety Management, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.

Significant experience in infrastructure or construction project safety management at regional or national level.

In-depth knowledge of Irish and EU safety legislation, particularly the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations.

Demonstrated ability to establish and lead cross-sector or multi-stakeholder safety initiatives.

Proven track record in risk assessment, auditing, and incident investigation.

Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.

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