AIR OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a FS-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-4 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is within the Liquidation Entity the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), in Bamako. The Air Operations Assistant will assist the supervisor on the provision of air transport services in support of a well-organized, safe, cost effective and operationally efficient services provided. The Air Operations Assistant will be reporting to the Chief Aviation Officer through (via) the Unit Supervisor on all operational related matters.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Air Operations Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: Air Operations Centre (Unit) duties: • Coordinates routine (regular passenger/cargo, logistics resupply) and special (casualty and medical evacuation, VlP) flights in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, Department of Field Support (DFS) Aviation Manual, UN Aviation Standards (UN AVSTADS), UN Aviation Safety standards and recommended practices and the host country's Aeronautical lnformation Publications (AlPs). • Reviews Air Mission Requests and proposes the most suitable air asset(s) to be assigned to a task to achieve the maximum safety, cost efficiency and effectiveness in the mission support. • Compiles the daily projected Air Tasking Orders (ATOs) in accordance with the requested tasks; publishes and communicates ATOs to all relevant elements in accordance with the established procedures and deadlines. • Assists with the coordination of the integrated search and rescue operations for UN air assets and other aircraft upon request. • Assists with the coordination of diplomatic over flight/landing clearances, ground handling support and hotel accommodation/meal/transportation arrangements for aircrews. Technical Compliance and Quality Assurance Unit duties: • Assists in monitoring air carriers' conformance and compliance with the terms and conditions of the applicable long-term aircraft charter agreements • Provides recommendations, in consultation with the supervisor, to the Technical Compliance Officer on the necessity for extension or termination of civilian long-term aircraft charter agreements in accordance with the established deadlines. • Participates in the initial aircraft inspections conducted by the Mission Aviation Safety Officer and verifies that the agreed aircraft specifications are complied with. • Assists with the quarterly civilian air operators' performance evaluation reports, semi-annual performance evaluation reports and end-of-contract performance evaluation reports in accordance with the established deadlines. • Monitors that applicable aircraft documentation/certificates are valid and current. • Monitors that agreed periods of aircraft non-availability due to maintenance and/or aircrew sickness are complied with and valid maintenance/medical release certificates are provided. • Monitors that aircrew members possess valid licenses and certificates, and meet the requirements agreed in the applicable long-term aircraft charter agreements • Verifies monthly aircrew attendance records. • Assists in conducting internal audits in accordance with the approved unit's/section's Internal Audit Program and Internal Audit Plan. • Assists in conducting random checks and inspections of civilian air operators Airfields/Air Terminals Unit duties: • Assists with the coordination of the provision of reliable, cost effective and efficient ground handling support (including emergency crash and rescue support) to the air operations activities of a field mission. • Assists with the coordination of the Foreign Object Debris (FOD) activities at airfields and air terminals. • Assists with the coordination of the aviation security activities related to operations at airfields/air terminals used for UN air operations. • Participates in the integrated search and rescue operations for the UN air assets and other aircraft upon request and assists with the coordination of the availability and operational readiness of the required personnel and equipment. • Verifies that airfields/air terminals and landing sites are equipped for UN air operations in accordance with the requirements of the DFS Aviation Manual and UN AVSTADS. • Provides support with the coordination of the aviation infrastructure projects with the civil and military aviation authorities of a host country. • Provides support with contracts for the provision of ground handling support and participates in the evaluation of vendor's performance in coordination with the Contracts Management Unit and/or the Procurement Section. • Conducts inventories and physical annual checks of relevant aviation equipment. • Assists in conducting the aviation risk management for UN aviation activities in accordance with the established procedures. • Assists with the monitoring of utilization of UN air assets and provides support with the analysis of the statistical data obtained. • Maintains the electronic databases in accordance with the established procedures and deadlines. • Briefs aircrews on UN policies, aviation safety requirements and the latest applicable aviation standard operating procedures. • Monitors that appropriate reference documents are current, readily available and accessible to all aircrew members and aviation personnel. • In coordination with the Aviation Safety Unit/Section, provides support with the analysis of the aviation safety reports, identifies necessary corrective and preventive measures and informs the Officer on the required actions. • Liaises with other UN units/sections, non-government and government organizations and intergovernmental agencies on aviation matters. • Provides inputs in the development of the standard operating procedures for the related aviation processes. • Provides inputs in the development of budget proposals for the mission's air transport operations. • Provides inputs in the development of the detailed Mission's Statement of Requirements to UNHQ for aircraft acquisition. • Provides support to the supervisor with regard to the responses to UNHQ during aircraft technical evaluations to ensure that vendor's proposals meet technical requirements. • Provides inputs for the preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observations. • Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Documents requirements and background information used for data analysis. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

A valid driver's license CAT B is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of six (06) years of progressively responsible experience in air transport operations or aviation safety is required. Experience in the following aviation areas directly related to air transport operations or/and airfields management/flight dispatch, or/and contract management/resource management/ budget/finance/accounting or and quality assurance, for air transportation services and activities is required. Experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office applications – Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint are required. Knowledge and experience in using aviation industry enterprise resource planning/ operations management technologies and/or any equivalent application is desirable. Experience using SAP or a similar system ERP (e.g. UMOJA) is desirable. Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules is desirable. 1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This Position is temporarily available within the UN Liquidation Entity (MINUSMA) until 31 December 2024, subject to budget approval and operational requirements. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. United Nations is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.