ASSOCIATE AIR OPERATIONS OFFICER

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC), Aviation Unit (AU). The incumbent will report to the Chief of Unit, Air Operations (P-4)

Responsibilities - 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 the aviation infrastructure rehabilitation projects with the civil and military aviation authorities of a host country. - Participates in the development of technical specifications for goods and services, provides inputs to the responses to bids and technical evaluations to ensure that vendor’s proposals meet technical requirements. - Participates in the coordination of the requisition process with purchasing authorities. - 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. - 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). - Manages routine (regular passenger/cargo, logistics resupply) flights, special (casualty and medical evacuation, VIP) flights and military operational flights. - 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. - Provides recommendations to the Technical Compliance Officer on the necessity for extension or termination of civilian long-term aircraft charter agreements and military letters of assist 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. - Initiates the quarterly civilian air operators’ performance evaluation reports, military letter of assist semi-annual performance evaluation reports and end-of-contract performance evaluation reports in accordance with the established deadlines. - Conducts the aviation risk management for UN aviation activities in accordance with the established procedures. - Monitors utilization of UN air assets and analyses 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. - Analyses, 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. - Ensures that all UNVMC policies are applied and followed thoroughly across all processes, including adherence to UNVMC code of conduct and ethics, and integrates a gender-sensitive approach in all functions.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of travel related processing requirements; ability to recognize and act in the face of conflicting priorities; 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.

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.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. 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. Uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within 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 shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Air Transportation/Aviation Management, Air Traffic Management, Aviation Safety Management, Aeronautical/Aerodrome Engineering, or graduation from an equivalent military educational establishment is required.

A first level university degree with a relevant combination of education, professional training, certification in air transport operations, and two (2) additional years of work experience in air transport related occupation, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification Training and certification as a Commercial Pilot, or a Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatcher, or an Air Traffic Controller, or an Aeronautical/Maintenance Engineer, or an Aerodrome Engineer, or a Ground Operations Officer, or an equivalent military qualification is required.

Work Experience A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in air transport operations or aviation safety on a position directly related to the coordination of air transport operations in the national or international environment is required.

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

Experience in the safety and/or quality management is desirable.

Experience in the provision of technical advice, oversight and conduct technical assessment of airfields, landing sites, services and aerodrome-related equipment is desirable.

Experience with the development, implementation and maintenance of Air Transportation/Aviation 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 the position advertised, fluency in both English and Spanish is required. NOTE: Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand).

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

Special Notice Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff as per the Secretary General´s Gender Parity Strategy. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4

Candidates may subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations is taking steps to improve gender parity at all levels. We are committed to an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in security therefore, female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

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.

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.