Job description

Wood is recruiting for a Risk and Safety Section Head to join its Iraq business unit focusing on leading end‑to‑end site risk & safety management for oilfield operations.

This role is a full-time on-site role in Basra, Iraq.
Work Schedule: 28/28 Rotation 

Wood is recruiting for a Risk and Safety Section Head to join its Iraq business unit focusing on leading end‑to‑end site risk & safety management for oilfield operations.

This role is a full-time on-site role in Basra, Iraq.

Work Schedule: 28/28 Rotation 
#Wood #Iraq #Basra #Risk and Safety Section Head

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Risk and Safety Section Head to join our Iraq Business Unit.

Our Clients and Projects 

Designing the future. Transforming the world. 

Wood is an integral part of operations in Iraq, and we are continuing to grow our footprint across the country. With a 90-year heritage, 10 major contracts and over 850 employees, we have the skills, expertise and asset knowledge to support clients to deliver energy security and decarbonisation ambitions. 

Wood excels in supporting our clients to deliver complex upstream and midstream oil and gas projects in Iraq delivering maintenance, modifications and engineering solutions. We are committed to decarbonising existing assets, producing cleaner energy and developing a sustainable national workforce, ensuring the long-term growth of the region.

What we can offer

• Meaningful and interesting projects Delivered to high profile clients and complex projects in Iraq 
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business with employee networks committed to giving all employees a voice 
• Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market 
• Medical Insurance: Ensures inpatient and outpatient medical care is available should you require treatment. 
• Commitment to continued professional development; development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests 
• Global connections: join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession 

Job Purpose:

Lead end‑to‑end site risk & safety management for oilfield operations including drilling, site construction, contractor activities and road safety. Supervise safety team, ensure full compliance with safety standards, conduct inspections & incident investigation, drive proactive safety culture and deliver safety improvement initiatives for multi‑facility oilfield sites.

Key Functions & Activities:

• Oilfield Site Safety & Risk Control:
  • Oversee safety operations across diverse oilfield work sites (drilling, construction, scaffolding, field mobile traffic etc.). Conduct site inspections, hazard identification and safety walkthroughs. Enforce compliance with safety procedures and safe work practices. Participate in incident root‑cause investigation and drive closure of corrective actions.
• Stakeholder & Contractor Safety Management:
  • Supervise safety team performance; mentor staff and support competency development. Closely manage large contractor groups: deliver safety briefings, joint inspections, ensure contractor adherence to corporate safety requirements. Facilitate safety meetings, toolbox talks and safety workshops for site personnel and contractors. Act as backup support for HSE Manager.
• Team Management:
  • Lead and manage the Risk and Safety Section team, fostering effective teamwork, collaboration, communication, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to achieve HSE objectives.
• Audit, Training & Emergency Preparedness:
  • Lead safety audits, hazard hunts and performance monitoring across oilfield operations. Deliver safety inductions, safety campaigns and awareness training including VIP contractor inductions. Support emergency drills and incident response activities, promote continuous safety improvement across the site.
• Documentation & Reporting:
  • Review and approve critical safety documents including risk assessments, JSAs and work permits. Prepare daily/weekly/monthly safety reports; track incidents, near‑misses, safety observations and safety KPIs. Maintain safety policies aligned with oilfield operational requirements.

What makes you remarkable? 

At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.  

Expected:

Education & Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or safety‑related discipline

Professional Certifications:

• Recognized HSE qualification such as NEBOSH, IOSH, CSP/CMIOSH or equivalent is preferred. ISO 45001 / ISO 14001 auditor or lead-auditor qualification and formal incident-investigation / risk-assessment training are desirable.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 10 years safety operation experience, solid oil & gas / on‑shore oilfield or construction background. Proven track record leading safety teams and performing field inspections for complex high‑risk sites.

Languages:

• English: fluent working proficiency. 
• Arabic and/or Chinese language capability is an advantage.

Technical Competencies:

• Good knowledge of international safety standards (ISO45001, OSHA). Strong incident investigation, risk assessment, audit and analytical problem‑solving skills. Excellent team supervision and cross‑party coordination capability.

Others Requirements (If any):

• Ability to manage multi‑discipline safety teams covering drilling, scaffolding and site road safety; capable of working in dynamic high‑risk oilfield operating environment.