Air Operations Assistant

Volunteering

Overview

Support efficient coordination of air operations for MONUSCO.

You have:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the aviation industry, including at least 3 years in a role directly related to air transport operations.
• Experience in the use of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices is required.
• Certification and experience in flight operations management and scheduling are highly desirable.
• Computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), are required.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The Air Operations Assistant in MONUSCO Aviation Section supports the efficient coordination of air operations by assisting with flight scheduling, maintaining accurate records, liaising with aircrew and field offices, and ensuring compliance with UN aviation procedures

• Fill in the duties for the assignment. Plans and coordinates air transportation activities in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, Department of Operations Support (DOS) Aviation Manual, UN Aviation Standards for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Air Transport Operations (UN AVSTADS), International Civil Aviation Organization (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), DOS Aviation Manual, MONUSCO Aviation SOP, other relevant SOPs, UN directives, ICAO, International Air Transport Association (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 to bring risks to acceptable levels. • Ensure airframes are selected and allocated to achieve maximum cost-effectiveness in mission support. • Conduct aviation risk management for UN aviation activities in accordance with established procedures. • Liaise with other UN units/sections, non-governmental and government organizations, and intergovernmental agencies on aviation matters. • Develop and implement the standard operating procedures for related aviation processes. • Monitor that appropriate reference documents are current, readily available, and accessible to all aircrew members and aviation personnel. • Prepare operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observations. • Analyze, in coordination with the Aviation Safety Unit/Section, aviation safety reports, identify necessary corrective and preventive measures, and inform the Chief of Section, Air Operations on required actions. • Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisor.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the aviation industry, including at least 3 years in a role directly related to air transport operations. • Experience in the use of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO ) standards and recommended practices is required. • Certification and experience in flight operations management and scheduling are highly desirable. • Computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), are required.

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 22 days ago - Updated 5 days ago - Source: unv.org