Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Aviation Unit of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The incumbent will be based in Bangui and report to Head of Office and Chief Aviation Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Air Operations Assistant will carry out the following duties:

Air Operations Centre (Unit) duties:
• Plans and coordinates routine (regular passenger/cargo, logistics resupply) flights, special (casualty and medical evacuation, VIP) flights and military operational flights in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, Department of Field Support (DFS) Aviation Manual, UN Aviation Standards for Air Transport Operations (UN AVSTADS), UN Aviation Safety Manual, ICAO standards and recommended practices and the host country’s Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs).
• 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.
• Coordinates diplomatic over flight/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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Conducts internal audits in accordance with the approval unit’s/sections Internal Audit Program and Internal Audit Plan.
• Conducts random checks and inspections of civilian air operators and military aviation units.
• Monitors that air operations activities are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATO), Standard Operating Procedures, UN directives, Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)Aviation Manual, ICAO, IATA and the host country’s Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP).
• Works on the administration of activities related to the quality assurance and standardization (including aviation risk management).
• Coordinates aviation operations compliance activities and monitors technical and safety performance of aviation assets assigned to the Mission.
• Assist with internal audits, prepares trends analysis and recommendations on corrective/preventive measures.
• Participates in the development and implementation of aviation standard operating procedures (SOPs) in compliance with the DPO/DOS Aviation Manual, and UN Regulatory framework
• Provides initial/on job training to new aviation flight crew personnel, and monitors that aviation personnel, are briefed and conversant with UN policies, flight safety procedures and latest applicable aviation standard requirements.
• Prepares inputs, data and estimates for budget proposal and assists Chief Aviation Officer in budget and performance control management.
• Prepares aviation section Demand Planning & Supply Network (DP/SNP) plan.
• Prepares scope of requirements for establishment of aviation section resources and support contracts.
• Verifies and processes invoices for payment to vendors for aviation related services.

Airfields/Air Terminals Unit duties:
• 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 utilization of UN air assets and analyses 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.
• Liaises with other UN units/sections, non-government and government organizations and intergovernmental agencies on aviation matters.
• Participates in the development of budget proposals for the mission’s air transport operations.
• Participates in the development of the detailed Mission’s Statement of Requirements to UNHQ for aircraft acquisition.
• Participates in the preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observation.
• Performs any other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Advanced Knowledge of aviation radio communication terminology and procedures. Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 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. 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.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

A valid driver’s license is required.

Training and certification as a Commercial Pilot, or a Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatchers, or an Aircraft Maintenance Technician, or a Ground Operations Officer, or an equivalent military qualification is required.

Training in the safety and quality management is desirable.

Training as an aviation internal auditor is desirable.

Work Experience

At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in air transport with at least two (2) years in one of occupations of the Administration/aviation finance management of air transport services/ activities/operations, Resource management, Contract management or Quality/Safety assurance is required.

Practical experience in field of aviation finance is required.

Experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office applications – Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint is required.

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

Knowledge and experience in using large scale databases and using SAP or a similar Enterprise Resources Program (finance/budget, acquisition and aviation related applications) is required.

Experience in developing Statements of Requirement and Scope of Works for aviation specialized goods and support services, as well as conduct evaluations on goods and services bids is desirable.

Experience in finance/budget (public or state sector) is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and French is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity 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.

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.