Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), within the Aviation Section, and is based in Beletweyne, Somalia. The incumbent will report to the Air Operations Officer.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Air Operations Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Monitors that air operations activities are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures, 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, IATA 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.
• Drafts the daily projected Air Tasking Orders (ATOs) for conformance and compliance with the requested tasks, resolves conflicting priorities and ensures that Air Tasking Orders (ATOs) are published and communicated to all relevant elements in accordance with the established procedures and deadlines.
• Supervises, monitors and administers all ground activities at airfields and helicopter landing sites.
• Ensures, through the Fire Marshal, the provision of fire-fighting and rescue services at heliports/airfields.
• Coordinates the operations at airfields/helipads with the host country’s CAA and airports authorities.
• Coordinates weather observation, forecasting development and dissemination of weather information.
• Ensures that flight crews are briefed and conversant with UN policies, aviation flight safety requirements and the latest applicable aviation standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Conducts the Aviation Risk Management for UN aviation activities in accordance with the established procedures and Threat Assessment processes, as necessary for flight operations.
• Performs flight following and flight tracking process on radio and available satellite tracking systems.
• Assists in flight planning, scheduling and preparation of daily flight schedules.
• Assists in development and implementation of the standard operating procedures.
• Assists in coordinating integrated Search and Rescue air operations for UN air assets and other aircraft upon request.
• Manages routine (regular passenger/cargo, logistics resupply) flights, special (casualty and medical evacuation, VIP) flights and military operational flights.
• Analyzes, in coordination with the Aviation Safety Unit/Section, the aviation safety reports, identifies necessary corrective and preventive measures, and informs the Chief of Unit, Air Operations on the required actions.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of Somalia Air Space for better understanding of flight operations. Ability to plan and implement all flights under his/her Sector. 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.

Education

First level university degree in Aviation Management, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, Air Transportation Management or Air Traffic Control, or graduations from equivalent military establishment, is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

An Air Traffic Control license with a least two ratings or Pilot License is desirable.

A Technical or vocational certificates in Air Transportation or Safety Management is desirable.

Training as a Commercial Pilot, or Air Crew, or Aeronautical Engineer, or Air Traffic Controller, or Flight Dispatcher qualification, or equal military certification, is required.

Work Experience

Two years of progressively responsible experience in aviation management, at the international level in a position directly related to coordination of complex air transport operations is required.

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

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

Experience in dealing with Somalia Civil Aviation Authorities (SCAA) is desirable.

Experience monitoring short-term air charter operations is desirable.

Experience working in UN organization or comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

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

NOTE: “fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, and understand), and “knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Therefore, this position is funded for an initial period of one year. An extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval.

Recruitment against this position is on a local basis. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF SOMALIA ONLY. The National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to assume the appointment.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted, and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up-to-date. This information is the basis for the Hiring Manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity -among its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Interested applicants who are working with UN Contractors must fulfill the obligations of their contracts with the UN Contractors in order to be eligible to apply for this vacancy.

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.