These positions are located in the United Nations Field Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions, Service Centers and Offices as applicable. The incumbent is responsible for following main duties:
1. Provision of air transport services in support of activities of a field mission in accordance with the functional responsibilities of the Mission Air Operations Centre (Unit), or Technical Compliance Unit, or Airfields Support Unit.
2. Participation in the development of the field mission aviation standard operating procedures.
3. Participation in the development of budget proposals for air transport services within a field mission.
4. Participation in the training activities to enhance the capacity of international and national staff members.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Air Operations Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Air Operations Officers)
- Monitor and evaluate air operations activities are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Order (ATO), Standard Operating Procedures, UN directives, Department of Operational Support (DOS) Aviation Manual, ICAO, IATA and the host country's Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP).
- Review and recommend all operational and logistical mission flight requests as sent by JMCC (Joint Movement Control Centre)/MOVCON (Movement Control) and Force Air Operations.
- Review and make recommendations on special missions and VIP flight-requests and manifests.
- Review, plan and coordinate daily projected task orders and air support requirements.
- Ensure air assets are selected and allocated to achieve maximum cost effectiveness in mission support.
- Prepare and publish mission materials, flight schedules, air tasking orders and issue the same to flight crews.
- Monitor the Mission Air Operations Centre conducts its activities in accordance with the published procedures and instructions.
- Upon request, obtain diplomatic clearances, flight plans and weather information for flights outside the mission.
- Develop and implement aviation standard operating procedures (SOPs) in compliance with the DOS Aviation Manual, ICAO, IATA and the host country's AIP.
- Provide initial training to new flight crew personnel, and ascertain flight crews are briefed and conversant with UN policy, flight safety procedures and latest applicable aviation standard requirements.
- Confirm that appropriate reference documents are readily available and accessible to all flight crew and aviation personnel.
- Coordinate integrated Search and Rescue Air operations.
- Coordinate weather observation, forecasting development and dissemination.
- Manage daily flight operations through Flight Following.
- Work in close collaboration with the Aircraft Contracts Management Unit/Air Transport Section/UNHQ to ensure compliance with daily requirements.
- Liaise closely with other Sections within the Field Mission, International Organizations/Agencies concerning aviation movement matters to ensure efficient, economical and safe use of air asset.
- Prepare inputs, data and estimates for budget reporting and planning purposes.
- Perform other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of aviation industry procurement, operations and logistics processes; Knowledge of institutional mandates, ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices and Annexes of the Chicago Convention, policies and guidelines pertaining to air transport operations and related matters. 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; 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 for all responsibilities and honors 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
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job - Specific Qualification
Training and certification from civilian educational institution (commercial/state) in Air Transportation, Safety Management, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering or Air Traffic Management, or from equivalent military educational establishment is required.
Technical aviation qualification such as, Commercial Pilot License, Air Traffic Control License, Flight Operations Officer License, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license, Aeronautical Engineer or an equivalent military qualification is desirable (all candidates are encouraged to upload the license(s) listed above as attachment to their application in Inspira. Any application that will not have license(s) attached will be deemed not meeting this qualification).
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in air transport operations or aviation safety is required. The minimum years of relevant work experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first level university degree.
A minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience on a position directly related to the coordination of complex air transport operations in the international environment is required.
Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable.
Experience in the development and implementation of the safety and quality management systems is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.
The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Air Operations Officer, FS-6 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of four months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.
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.