Air Operations Assistant

Volunteering Logistics & Procurement

Overview

Plan and coordinate air transportation activities in compliance with UN standards

You have:

• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in the aviation industry including at least 3 years of experience in an occupation directly related to air transportation operations.
• Relevant training/experience in flight operations management, including air operations planning and flight scheduling.
• Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable.
• A fixed-wing/helicopter pilot or an air traffic controller with experience in managing international air transport operations in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.
• Good computer skills including proficiency in MS office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Assignment is non-family (GOMA)

Under the direct supervision of the Chief MAOC/ Chief Air Region the duties of the Air Ops Assistant/ Planning Assistant will include but are not limited to the following:

• Plans and coordinates air transportation activities in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures, UN directives, Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) Aviation Manual, UN Aviation Standards for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Air Transport Operations (UN AVSTADS), ICAO standards and recommended practices and the host country's Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs). • Ensure that air operations are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs)/Daily Flight Schedule (DFS), DPKO Aviation Manual, MONUSCO Aviation SOP and other relevant SOPs, UN directives, ICAO, IATA, and the host country’s aviation standards, practices, procedures, and regulations. • Arrange CASEVAC/MEDEVAC flights, VIP flights, and other special missions. • Participate in the integrated Search and Rescue operations for MONUSCO air assets and other aircraft upon request. • Review, plan and coordinate daily projected task orders and air support requirements. • Conduct risk analysis and determine risk mitigation measures in order to bring risks to acceptable levels. • Ensure airframes are selected and allocated to achieve maximum cost-effectiveness in mission support. • Conducts aviation risk management for UN aviation activities in accordance with the established procedures. • Liaises with other UN units/sections, non-government and government organizations, and intergovernmental agencies on aviation matters. • Develops and implement the standard operating procedures for the related aviation processes. • Monitors that appropriate reference documents are current, readily available, and accessible to all aircrew members and aviation personnel. • Preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observations. • Analyzes, in coordination with the Aviation Safety Unit/Section, the aviation safety reports, identifies necessary corrective and preventive measures, and informs the Chief of Section, Air Operations on the required actions. • Any other duties as requested by the supervisor

Client Orientation, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in the aviation industry including at least 3 years of experience in an occupation directly related to air transportation operations.

• Relevant training/experience in flight operations management, including air operations planning and flight scheduling is highly desirable. • Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable. • A fixed-wing/helicopter pilot or an air traffic controller with experience in managing international air transport operations in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable. • Good computer skills including proficiency in MS office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse.

Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.

All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma.

Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis.

The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.

In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org