Environmental Health and Safety Specialist Job in Kenya

An Environmental Health and Safety Specialist does much more than check whether employees are wearing protective equipment. In a working environment where chemicals, pharmaceutical waste, machinery, environmental requirements and workplace hazards may all be present, safety has to be built into everyday operations.

This role is centred on keeping those systems working properly. The EHS Specialist will take the lead in environmental management and workplace safety activities, while also helping the company meet Kenyan regulatory requirements and the standards set under ISO 14001:2015.

The job will suit an experienced EHS professional who is comfortable moving between the workplace, compliance records, employee training, inspections and management reporting.

The Work Behind a Safe Workplace

A large part of the job will involve making sure that the company's environmental and safety procedures are not simply documents that sit in an office.

The specialist will implement and maintain policies, procedures, standard operating procedures and emergency response programs. These systems will need to remain relevant to the company's operations, with improvements made where risks or weaknesses are identified.

Regular inspections and risk assessments will be part of the routine. The EHS Specialist will examine working conditions, identify potential hazards and follow up on actions needed to address them.

When an incident occurs, the specialist will also be involved in investigating what happened. The investigation process will help identify contributing factors and support measures aimed at preventing similar incidents.

This requires someone who pays attention to small details while still being able to understand the wider safety picture.

Environmental Responsibilities Are a Major Part of the Job

The position has a strong environmental component. The specialist will be responsible for supporting the company's Environmental Management System and ensuring that it continues to meet ISO 14001:2015 requirements.

Practical experience with this standard is specifically required. The person taking up the position should therefore be familiar with how an environmental management system is implemented, maintained, reviewed and improved.

Environmental audits and monitoring activities will help establish whether the company's operations are meeting the required standards. Where gaps are found, the specialist will need to help coordinate corrective measures and follow their progress.

The job also covers environmental permits, licences and regulatory reporting. Maintaining accurate documentation will be important, particularly when dealing with regulatory bodies and compliance requirements.

Working With NEMA, DOSH and Other Stakeholders

Regulatory compliance will be a regular part of the specialist's responsibilities.

The job requires knowledge of Kenyan environmental and occupational health and safety legislation, as well as the ability to manage relationships with relevant regulatory agencies. NEMA and DOSH are specifically mentioned among the organisations the specialist will engage with.

This means the person will need to keep track of permits, licences, reports and other compliance requirements. They will also need to communicate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders when environmental or workplace safety matters arise.

Good report-writing skills will be useful here. EHS information often needs to be recorded clearly, and compliance documentation must be accurate and easy to follow.

Chemicals, Pharmaceutical Waste and Environmental Monitoring

The working environment makes knowledge of hazardous materials particularly relevant.

The EHS Specialist will oversee pharmaceutical waste management and chemical safety activities. This includes monitoring compliance with the required environmental and workplace safety procedures surrounding these areas.

Environmental monitoring will also form part of the job. The specialist will need to keep track of relevant environmental performance and identify areas where additional controls or improvements may be required.

Experience in pharmaceutical or manufacturing operations is desirable because these environments can involve specific waste, chemical and occupational safety considerations.

The role therefore calls for someone who can connect regulatory requirements with what actually happens on the production floor or within operational areas.

Employees Need to Understand the Rules

Policies alone cannot create a safe workplace. Employees need to understand why procedures exist and how they should be followed.

The EHS Specialist will coordinate training and awareness programs covering environmental protection and workplace safety. This means the person will regularly communicate safety requirements to employees and help promote awareness across the organisation.

Strong presentation and communication skills are therefore important.

Training may also involve helping employees understand emergency procedures, safe working practices and their responsibilities when it comes to environmental and occupational safety.

The specialist will be expected to encourage a culture where safety and environmental responsibility are treated as part of normal work rather than as separate activities.

PPE and Contractor Safety

Protective equipment and workplace safety infrastructure will also need regular attention.

The specialist will monitor PPE compliance and safety infrastructure to ensure that appropriate controls are being maintained. Contractor safety is another area that falls under the position, meaning external workers must also operate within the required safety standards.

Emergency preparedness will require similar attention. The specialist will monitor emergency response systems and help ensure that the organisation is prepared to respond when an environmental or workplace emergency occurs.

Because emergencies can develop quickly, crisis management skills are important for this position.

Turning EHS Information Into Action

The company will also expect the specialist to monitor performance rather than simply carry out inspections.

Environmental and safety KPIs will be tracked to show how the organisation is performing. These measurements can help identify recurring issues, areas requiring attention and opportunities to improve existing systems.

The specialist will contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and use findings from audits, inspections, incidents and monitoring activities to strengthen EHS performance.

This is where analytical ability becomes important. The role requires someone who can look at information, identify problems and help turn the findings into practical actions.

The Professional Background Required

Applicants should have a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Science or a related field. A Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health or Environmental Management is also required.

At least three years of experience in an EHS position is expected.

The employer is particularly interested in candidates with practical experience implementing and maintaining ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems. Knowledge of Kenyan environmental and occupational health and safety legislation is also important.

NEBOSH IGC or Diploma qualifications and ISO 14001:2015 Internal Auditor training will provide an added advantage. Experience gained in a pharmaceutical or manufacturing environment is desirable.

Beyond academic and professional qualifications, the position requires strong communication, training and presentation abilities. The specialist should also be analytical, organised and comfortable preparing reports.

Someone Who Can Handle Several Priorities

EHS work rarely involves one task at a time. A specialist may have to follow up on an inspection finding, deal with a compliance requirement, organise training, review an incident and monitor an environmental issue within the same period.

The ability to manage multiple priorities independently will therefore be important.

Project management and stakeholder engagement skills will also help when implementing new safety initiatives or working with different departments and external organisations.

Attention to detail is particularly important because environmental and occupational safety work involves legislation, procedures, records, inspections and compliance requirements where small omissions can matter.

The right professional will also need to remain composed during environmental or safety emergencies and contribute effectively to the response.

A Broad EHS Position

This is a hands-on EHS position covering considerably more than workplace inspections. The responsibilities stretch from environmental management and ISO 14001 compliance to pharmaceutical waste, chemical safety, regulatory relations, employee training, contractor safety and emergency preparedness.

The specialist will have an ongoing role in maintaining the company's environmental and safety systems while identifying ways to make them stronger.

For an EHS professional with at least three years of experience, practical ISO 14001:2015 knowledge and an understanding of Kenyan regulatory requirements, the position provides an opportunity to work across both environmental management and occupational safety within an operational setting.

Application

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are encouraged to submit their application, indicating the position title in the subject line.
Deadline; 6th October 2026, COB
Send application to recruitment@cosmos-pharm.com Subject EHS Specialist