Org. Setting and Reporting

These vacancies are located within the Security Section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The incumbents will be based in Bouar / Bria and will report to Head of the unit on all security related matters.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities
Within limits of delegated authority, the Air Operations Officer, FS-6, may be responsible for the following duties:
Air Operations Centre (Unit) duties:
¿ Monitors that air operations are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, 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 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 Chief of Unit, Air Operations 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 approved unit’s/section’s Internal Audit Program and Internal Audit Plan.
¿ Conducts random checks and inspections of civilian air operators and military aviation units.
Air Fields/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 DFS Aviation Manual and UN AVSTADS.
¿ Participates in the coordination of the aviation iucture 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.
¿ Conducts the 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 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.
¿ Provides inputs to the responses to UNHQ during aircraft technical evaluations to ensure that vendor’s proposals meet technical requirements.
¿ 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: Advanced Knowledge of aviation radio communication terminology and procedures. Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules. 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.

Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

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 Dispatcher, or an Aircraft Maintenance Technician, or a Ground Operations Officer, or an equivalent military qualification is required.

Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools such as the Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required

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

Training in the safety and quality management is desirable.

Training as an aviation internal auditor is desirable.

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 experience are reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first level university degree

At least 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 development and implementation of the safety and quality management systems is desirable

Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices 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 English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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.