Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Air Transport Service (ATS), Logistics Division (LD), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), in the Department of Operational Support (DOS).

The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to client entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, Offices Away from Headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The Office of Supply Chain Management under the Department of Operational Support includes the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management, the Logistics Division, the Procurement Division, Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, Global Service Centre and the Enabling and Outreach Service.

The Logistics Division performs a central role in the implementation of end-to-end supply chain management across the United Nations (UN) operations. The Division provides direction and advice on logistical matters, monitors and assesses the delivery of strategic transportation and support services and directs the delivery of transportation and specialist support services in the functional areas of air transport, ground transport, engineering, medical and supply, inclusive of fuel, rations and general supplies and security equipment.

The Air Transport Service provides aviation support to all Secretariat entities through the timely establishment of the required contracts, in coordination with the Procurement Division, and provides management support to all clients to enhance cost-effectiveness and efficiency of aviation operations. The Service is responsible for providing aviation sourcing support, including for unmanned aerial systems, by developing technical specifications, statements of requirements, modalities of long-term versus short-term sourcing and letters of assist versus commercial sourcing, to ensure that clients’ needs are met with the most appropriate services in the most cost effective and efficient manner. The Service is also responsible for improving the management and operations of United Nations aviation support, including by determining aviation requirements, analysing spending and utilization, and exploring new ways of fulfilling client requirements, including through standby arrangements and sharing within the Secretariat. The Service provides guidance to ensure the right configuration of air assets, infrastructure and services in order to facilitate the execution of mandated tasks, while ensuring that contracted services comply with the requirements of the United Nations and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices. The Service also provides dedicated air transportation support during the start-up, sustainment, transition and liquidation phases of missions; facilitate the planning and implementation of training courses, workshops and seminars for the development of aviation specialists; and establish operational guidance to support the effective and efficient delivery of capabilities from both commercial providers and Member States.

The Air Transport Officer reports to the Head of the Service or his/her designated official.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Air Transport Officer is responsible for the following duties:

General:
• Reviews, advises and monitors the missions’ air transport operations. Plans, assesses and works with category teams to define air transportation solutions aimed at satisfying clients’ requirements, based on market analysis, clients’ surveys, analysis of historic data, and new trends in the aviation industry.
• Monitors air operations compliance with UN directives, Department of Peace Operations (DPO)/Department of Operational Support (DOS) 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, revises and endorses preparation of Letters of Assist (LOA) and their submission to contract specialists relating to the provision of air assets by national governments.
• Coordinates preparation of Invitation to Bid (ITB), ensuring that all specifications and requirements are addressed, and liaises with procurement specialists on processing of invitations.
• Reviews and endorses preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFP) to ensure that requirements and specifications are accurate and complete.
• Participates in planning meetings within DOS, and with government officials, on both the start-up and liquidation phases of field missions and advises on air transport requirements and availability.
• Participates with other air transport officers in DOS, Contributing Country representatives, Permanent Mission officials, military advisers, representatives of transport industry, national government representatives and others in negotiating and approving policies, procedures and operating requirements.
• Participates with insurance specialists in resolving problems related to insurance policies for air transport.
• Provides leadership and work direction to assigned work team, and/or mentors and supervises the work of new/junior officers; may serve as a first-level supervisor of a small organizational entity.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Air Transport:
• Advises on air transport administrative, logistics and technical support policy objectives to effectively service components.
• Oversees the development of air transport safety and maintenance rules and regulations.
• Plans the use of air transport to achieve pre-determined outcomes using cost effective and efficient methods to deliver services.
• Participates in consultations with representatives of the principal components on satisfying operational aviation needs.
• Assists in developing air transport guidelines and instructions and reviewing them periodically.
• Advises on the serviceability of aircraft equipment in use and on the disposal of the unserviceable or beyond economical repair equipment.
• Oversees the preparation of technical reports, statistics and other documents required for regular and ad hoc reporting requirements related to air transport operations.
• Reviews and approves recommendations on acquisition of air transport vehicles by purchase, lease or contingency agreements.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of diverse aviation operations. Knowledge of aviation industry procurement 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. Ability to review alternative options and select most effective and cost-efficient mode of transport of equipment, supplies and personnel. Ability to provide technical leadership; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to aviation operations and related matters. Ability to complete in-depth analyses and to formulate conclusions and recommendations. 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.

• 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.

• 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

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in aeronautics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in the above specified areas in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Technical aviation qualification such as, Commercial Pilot License, Air Traffic Control License, Flight Operations Officer License, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license or Aeronautical Engineer is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the aviation industry is required.

• Experience in research and development of sourcing solutions for aviation services and unmanned aerial systems, including identification of requirements, conducting technical evaluation and contract management is required.

• Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams in an international environment is required.

• Experience applying ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) is desirable.

• Experience in a managerial position directly related to the coordination of complex air transport operations in an international environment is desirable.

• Experience in developing and carrying out strategic initiatives to optimize the planning, contracting and management of aviation services is desirable.

• Experience in the international development and implementation of Aviation Quality Master Surveillance Plans is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available as soon as possible for six months, with a possibility of an extension. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the UN Secretariat, the selection will be recorded as a temporary assignment.

• 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.

• The expression “Internal candidates” shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.

• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. In accordance with ST/AI/1999/17 section 2.3, an SPA may only be granted to one level higher than the personal level of the staff member assigned to higher-level functions in his or her own category, whether the higher-level functions are one or several levels higher than the personal level of the staff member. Staff in the General Service and related categories temporarily placed against a post at the Professional level may receive an SPA to the P-1 or P-2 level.

• For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.

• A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified.

• 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. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.

• The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English

• 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.

• Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. 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.

• 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.

• 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.