Job Opening
Job Opening ID: 224191
Job Network : Logistics, Transportation and Supply Chain
Job Family : Transportation
Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-4
Duty Station : GAO
Department/Office : United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
Date Posted : Dec 22, 2023
Deadline : Jan 6, 2024

Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is within the Liquidation Entity of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), at Gao.
The incumbent is responsible for management of air transport operations within a field mission with duty station Gao; management of unit human resources; development and management of mission regional aviation operating procedures; coordination with the host country reginal civil and military authorities. The Air Operations Officer will report to the Chief Aviation Officer.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the, Air Operations Officer, P-4 will be responsible for the following duties:
• Manages and supervises the activities of the Air Operations Unit.
• Oversees Mission/Regional Air Operations Centre and monitors that air operations are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), 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 and the host country’s Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs).
• Supervises the provision of reliable, cost effective and efficient air transport services for the transportation of passengers and cargo (including dangerous goods requiring special handling) within a field mission and resolves conflicting priorities.
• Supervises the aviation risk management for UN aviation activities in accordance with the established procedures.
• Provides technical advice to the substantive and support elements of a field mission on all aspects of the air transport activities.
• Liaises with other UN units/sections, non-government and government organizations and intergovernmental agencies on aviation matters.
• Supervises the provision of efficient aviation search and rescue coverage for UN transport assets and other transport assets upon request.
• Supervises the preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observations.
• Supervises the development and implementation of standard operating procedures for aviation related processes.
• Monitors that quality control procedures are implemented for all work processes.
• Monitors the accuracy and validity of data recorded in the management information systems.
• Develops, in consultation with the Chief, Service Delivery and/or Chief of Mission Support, a cost-effective and efficient air transport plans accessing the modalities of different types of air assets in operational terms.
• Evaluates services rendered to a field mission under long-term aircraft charter agreements, stand-by air charter agreements and ground handling contracts.
• Develops budget for field mission’s air transport operations and reports on the budgetary performance of the Air Region at the end of each financial period.
• Acts as a Certifying Officer for the air transport tasking with the overall responsibility for the efficient use and accurate accounting of all resources controlled and all expenditures made by the Air Region.
• Monitors that UN financial regulations and rules are complied with in all activities of the Mission/Regional Air Operations Centre.
• Participates, in collaboration with insurance specialists, in resolving problems related to insurance policies for air transport services.
• Develops the Mission/Regional Air Operations Centre Staffing Table and acts as a Line Manager to Sub-Unit Managers.
• Manages the allocation and rotation of appropriate work assignments. Coordinates individual annual work plans for unit managers and produces detailed performance assessments and evaluations for all staff as required.
• Supervises the personnel management and evaluates staff performance of the Air Operations Unit.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Advanced technical qualifications, including authoritative knowledge and wide exposure to the full range of fixed wing and helicopter air operations and aviation safety issues; ability to advise senior management and other senior officials on approaches and techniques on highly complex/sensitive issues; recognized expertise in the field; demonstrated capacity for intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives and translate them into a results-oriented work program; ability to comprehend and reconcile the diverse features of air operations, to plan and develop a unified aviation system, to meet the needs of the Mission, to recognize the capabilities of the various aircraft and determine the most advantageous mode of shipment in terms of cost, safety and efficiency; demonstrates original and creative thinking, independent judgment and discretion in advising on and handling major policy, project and other issues/problems; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement on difficult issues, contracts and assistance agreements with aviation contractors, vendors, national government representatives and others; excellent knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to air operations and related matters. 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.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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 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.

Managing Performance:
Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

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.
Education
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Air Transportation/Aviation Management, Aviation Safety Management, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, or graduation from an equivalent military educational establishment is required.
• A first level university degree with a relevant combination of education, professional training, certification in air transport operations, and two (2) additional years of work experience in air transport related occupation, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job – Specific Qualification
• An Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or its military equivalent is desirable.

• Training as an Air Crew, or Aeronautical Engineer, or Air Traffic Controller, or Flight Dispatcher qualification, or equal military certification is required.

Work Experience
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in air transport operations or aviation safety, with at least five (5) years of managerial experience on a position directly related to the coordination of complex air transport operations in the international environment is required.

• Experience in managing joint Aviation and Movement Control operations is required.

• Experience monitoring long, and short-term air charter operations is required.

• Experience working in a UN organization, peacekeeping, special political or other field operations is required.

• Experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office applications – Word, Excel, Outlook and • Power Point is required.

• Experience in international operations in a conflict and/or post conflict environment is required.

• Experience in the aviation industry (Military/Civilian) legislation and application of standards and recommended practices is required.

• Knowledge and experience in using aviation industry enterprise resource planning/ operations management technologies and/or any equivalent application is desirable.
Languages
• English and French are the working languages of the UN secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
• A working knowledge of French is desirable.
• Knowledge of a second United Nations official language is an advantage.