Technical Officer, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Integration
JOB DETAIL
The Air Navigation Bureau (ANB) is responsible for providing technical guidance to the Air Navigation Commission (ANC), the Council, and the Assembly. ANB provides technical expertise in aviation-related disciplines to States, industry and all elements of the Organization. The Bureau is also responsible for maintaining and implementing the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), including its aviation system block upgrades as well as producing yearly safety and air navigation status reports. The ANB develops technical studies and proposals for Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), and Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) for further processing by the governing bodies of ICAO.
The Bureau also develops related procedures and guidance material and manages the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and Continuous Monitoring Approach that monitors all States on a continuous basis. The ANB is also responsible for the development of guidance material supporting optimized airspace organization and management, thereby maximizing air traffic management performance of airspace and international traffic flows and supporting the growth of traffic without compromising safety.
The Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Section serves as the focal point for all RPAS-related matters at ICAO and is responsible for the development of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) and guidance material related to the operation, certification and airworthiness of RPAS, C2 Links, detect and avoid system requirements, licensing and training of remote pilots and air traffic management integration issues, amongst others. The RPAS section also serves as the focal point within the Organization for unmanned/remotely piloted aviation and advanced air mobility (AAM) and is responsible for managing and coordinating developments in these areas.
The Technical Officer, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Integration reports directly to the Chief, RPAS section, and provides technical advices and services in relation to the integration of Standards and Recommended Practices for Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing, Annex 2 — Rules of the Air, Annex 3 – Meteorology, Annex 6 – Operation of Aircraft, Annex 7 — Aircraft Nationality and Registration Marks, Annex 8 – Airworthiness of Aircraft, Annex 10 — Aeronautical Telecommunications, Annex 11 — Air Traffic Services, Annex 14 — Aerodromes, as well as guidance material for the Manual on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) (Doc 10019), the forthcoming Manual on C2 Links for RPAS, the Detect and avoid (DAA) Manual, the online Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Toolkit and related ICAO documents. The incumbent supports the Secretary of the RPAS Panel, prepares briefing material and working papers. S/he carries out duties and responsibilities in support of related matters, as assigned to her/him by the Supervisor. The incumbent collaborates closely with other Technical Officers in the Air Navigation Bureau and other Bureaux, as well as with Regional Offices for all RPAS, UAS and AAM-related matters.
Contributes to the development of working papers on RPAS, UAS and AAM matters related to integration by providing technical input for the ICAO Council, Air Navigation Commission (ANC) and international meetings, achieving results such as:
- Provide technical input to working papers, State letters and other documentation required to present Annex and PANS amendment proposals to the ANC and ICAO Council.
- Prepare technical studies and working papers for the ANC and international meetings relating to RPAS, UAS, AAM and related subjects.
- Provide input to facilitate technical discussions during ICAO meetings and conferences.
- Participate in the discussion of such papers and provide support, information/documentation, as needed.
- Provide and support further development of the ASBU modules related to the integration of RPAS into non-segregated airspace and at aerodromes; and
- Provide comprehensive analysis of issues raised by States and international organizations and provide recommendations for appropriate solutions.
Provides technical expertise on the integration of RPAS provisions, achieving results such as:
- Support the Secretary of the RPAS Panel in the development and integration of flight operations, airworthiness, safety management, air traffic management, C2 Link, detect and avoid, human factors and aerodrome provisions, amongst others.
- Support the Secretary of the RPAS Panel and Technical Officers of the RPAS Section in the RPASP quality assurance framework, including the conduct of gap analyses, impact assessments, and consistency checks between packages of RPAS provisions, both under development and adopted, and propose solutions provisions accordingly, in accordance with ICAO standards of quality.
- Support the Secretary of the RPAS Panel and Technical Officers of the RPAS Section in delivery of stress tests for RPAS operations.
- Support the Secretary of the RPAS Panel and Technical Officers of the RPAS Section in the development and delivery of communication tools and activities aimed at raising awareness of relevant stakeholders on the specificities and interdependencies of RPAS provisions.
- Support the Secretary of the RPAS Panel and Technical Officers of the RPAS Section in the finalization of packages of RPAS provisions following completion of the quality assurance framework.
- Prepare high-level technical working papers, information papers and briefings for the RPAS Panel and its working groups.
- Conduct necessary follow-up on actions resulting from the discussion of the papers and related recommendations, decisions or outcomes reached during the panel and working group meetings.
- Support the drafting of Panel meeting technical reports in cooperation with the Secretary of the Panel, Technical Officers, Rapporteurs and Panel Officers.
- Liaise between the RPASP and the Aerodromes Design and Operations Panel (ADOP), Communications Panel (CP), Surveillance Panel (SP), Air Traffic Management Operations Panel (ATMOPSP), Airworthiness Panel (AIRP), Aviation Security Panel (AVSECP), Trust Framework Panel (TFP), Cybersecurity Panel (CYSECP), Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP), Navigation Systems Panel (NSP) Flight Recorder Working Group and Flight Operations Panel (FLTOPSP), Safety Management Panel (SMP), Separation and Airspace Safety Panel (SASP), the Legal Committee and all relevant ICAO expert groups, to ensure the harmonized and timely development of RPAS-related provisions.
- Provide technical input in the coordination and review of all draft guidance material provided; and
- Contribute to and /or develop relevant documentation for publication.
Collaborates on matters related to the harmonization of manned and unmanned material, achieving results such as:
- Liaise with Technical Officers and expert groups in the Air Navigation and Air Transport Bureaux to assure consistency between manned and unmanned SARPs, PANS and guidance material; and
- Liaise with the Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau (LEB) to assure compatibility between provisions and guidance material, on one hand, and the Convention on International Civil Aviation, on the other hand.
Manages RPAS, UAS and AAM symposia, workshops or related events, achieving results such as:
- Organize, conduct and/or support global and regional symposia on RPAS, UAS and AAM, developing programmes, selecting speakers and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to the organization of unmanned aviation and AAM-related symposia and the follow-up development of guidance material; and
- Organize and conduct unmanned aviation courses and collaborate on the development of RPAS, UAS and AAM training tools and activities.
Acts as subject matter expert on RPAS, UAS and AAM-related matters, providing recommendations for mitigating potential risks to aviation safety issues related to RPAS, UAS and AAM, achieving results such as:
- Contribute to the technical expertise of others by providing aviation expertise in order to mitigate risks to RPAS, UAS and AAM developments.
- Keep abreast of significant trends and technological developments in the area of RPAS, UAS and AAM for technical discussions and future possible recommendations.
- Advise and mentor staff on ICAO processes and technical matters.
- Provide training, internal or external, as required.
- Participate in/attend ICAO seminars, workshops, and meetings as required and provide technical feedback to the RPAS programme,
- Participate in the conduct of seminars and workshops in all ICAO Regions as required; and
- Draft and review ICAO publications related to RPAS, UAS and AAM.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Essential
An advanced-level university degree (Master’s degree or academic equivalent) in an aviation-related field, or a scientific or technical discipline is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in an aviation-related field, or a scientific or technical discipline, or related field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Essential
- A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in roles of increasing responsibility in the field of aviation safety, air navigation, air transport, or a related area, with an international or regional organization, national government, or major service provider (airport, airline, or air navigation services provider), or the aviation industry.
- Experience in the development and delivery of initiatives aimed at enhancing civil aviation at the international or regional level.
- Experience in developing, implementing or overseeing ICAO SARPs, policies, procedures and guidance material.
- Experience in managing technical expert groups involved in the development of international regulatory solutions for RPAS, UAS and/or AAM, as well as symposia, workshops, etc.
Desirable
- Experience working within a large aviation-related international organization.
- Experience in developing, implementing or overseeing ICAO SARPs, policies, procedures and/or guidance material.
- Experience organizing, preparing and delivering seminars and workshops for international audiences.
- Experience in aviation operations as a pilot, engineer or air traffic controller.
Essential
Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English.
Desirable
A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).
Professionalism: Knowledge of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and its Annexes, ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and their application. Thorough knowledge of unmanned/remotely piloted aviation and advanced air mobility. Ability to work in a team environment, ensuring that objectives and timelines are met. Ability to deal with complex issues with diplomacy, tact and maturity of judgment. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. 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.
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.
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.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within the 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.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
