AIR OPERATIONS OFFICER

Contract

This is a FS-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-6 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in Aviation Section of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), in Beni duty station. The incumbent will be responsible for managing Aviation Operations at the duty station and will report to Chief Aviation Officer.

Responsibilities Within the limits of delegated authority, the Air Operations Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Main Duties: 1. Provision of air transport services in support of activities of a field mission in accordance with the functional responsibilities of the Air Operations Centre (Unit), Technical Compliance and Quality Assurance Unit, or Airfields/Air Terminals Unit. 2. Participation in the development of the field mission aviation standard operating procedures. 3. Participation in training activities to enhance the capacity of international and national staff members.

Major duties and responsibilities: * Monitors that air operations are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)/Department of Field Support (DFS) Aviation Manual, UN Aviation Standards for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Air Transport Operations (UN AVSTADS), UN Aviation Safety Manual, ICAO standards and recommended practices and the host country's Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs). * Reviews and approves Air Mission Requests and ensures that the most suitable air asset(s) is/are assigned to a task to achieve the maximum safety, cost efficiency and effectiveness in the mission support. * Verifies the daily projected Air Tasking Orders (ATOs) for conformance and compliance with the requested tasks, resolves conflicting priorities and ensures that ATOs are published and communicated to all relevant elements in accordance with the established procedures and deadlines. * Manages routine (regular passenger/cargo, logistics resupply) flights, special (casualty and medical evacuation, VIP) flights and military operational flights. * Coordinates the integrated search and rescue operations for UN air assets and other aircraft upon request. * Supervises timely coordination of diplomatic overflight/landing clearances, ground handling support, and hotel accommodation/meal/transportation arrangements for aircrews.

Technical Compliance and Quality Assurance- Unit duties: * Monitors air carriers' and military aviation units’ conformance and compliance with the terms and conditions of the applicable long-term aircraft charter agreements and letters of assist. * Participates in the initial aircraft inspections conducted by the Mission Aviation Safety Officer and verifies that the agreed aircraft specifications are complied with. * Initiates the quarterly civilian air operators’ performance evaluation reports, military letter of assist semi-annual performance evaluation reports and end-of-contract * 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 and letters of assist. * Verifies monthly aircrew attendance records.

Airfields/Air Terminals Unit duties: * Supervises 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. * Supervises the Foreign Object Debris (FOD) activities at airfields and air terminals. * Supervises 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 coordinates 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 DPKO/DFS Aviation Manual and UN AVSTADS. * Participates in the coordination of aviation infrastructure rehabilitation projects with the civil and military aviation authorities of a host country. * Monitors 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. * Conducts aviation risk management for UN aviation activities in accordance with the established procedures. * Monitors utilization of UN air assets and analyzes the statistical data obtained. * Monitors that electronic databases are maintained 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. * Analyzes, in coordination with the Aviation Safety Unit/Section, 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. * Participates in the development of the standard operating procedures for the related aviation processes. * Participates in the preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observations. * 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; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments.; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary and uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and hours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within the prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcoming and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles’ responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discussed the performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports staff when they make mistakes; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff and Appraises performance fairly.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification A valid driving license is required.

Training and certification as a Commercial Pilot, Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatcher, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Ground Operations Officer, Air Traffic Controller or equivalent military qualification is required.

Advanced knowledge of aviation radio communication terminology and procedures is required.

Training in safety and quality management is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in air transport operations or aviation safety with at least three (3) years of supervisory experience in a position directly related to the coordination of complex air transport operations in the international environment is required. The minimum years of relevant experience are reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree.

Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are required.

Experience in the development and implementation of safety and quality management systems is desirable.

Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable.

Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules is desirable.

Experience in international operations in a post-conflict environment is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English 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 until 31 March 2024. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered 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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.