CHIEF OF UNIT, AVIATION SAFETY

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide. 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, Logistics Division, Procurement Division, Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, Global Service Centre, Aviation Safety Section, and the Enabling and Outreach Service. This position is located in the Aviation Safety Section (AvSS), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), Department of Operational Support (DOS). The incumbent reports to the Chief of AvSS. The post is based in the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) Brindisi, Italy.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions: • Manages and supervises the activities of the Aviation Safety Unit located in Brindisi as part of the Aviation Safety Section. • Provides advice to DOS supported field missions and entities, in consultation with Chief Aviation Safety on the implementation of their Aviation Safety Programmes, aviation risk management, safety assurance, follow up on technical reports, and other aviation safety related requirements. • Ensures the continuous improvement and maintenance of the UN aviation safety management platform, by updating existing or developing new features, to simplify and automate the implementation of UN aviation related policies, manuals and guidance, in line with ICTD technical requirements • Provides operational and technical support for UNHQ and DOS supported missions with air assets, in the utilization and continuous improvement of the UN aviation safety management platform . • Develops quarterly safety performance Indicators and analyzes the level of safety of aviation activities within a field mission. • Proposes the required corrective and preventive measures, develops aviation safety recommendations in consultation with Chief Aviation Safety and communicates them to the officials concerned. • Investigates aviation occurrences involving UN air assets and observed hazards related to aviation activities, compiles reports and analyzes statistical data. • Participates, as a UN representative, in the investigation of accidents and incidents involving UN air assets and equipment. • Identifies, analyzes and monitors trends that may affect the safety of UN aviation activities. • Supervises initial aircraft inspections, conducts air carrier assessments and performance evaluations of civilian air operators and military aviation units in safety platform. • Supervises risk assessment activities for airfields and helicopter landing sites. • Maintains the aviation safety database and ensures that information is recorded in accordance with the established procedures and deadlines. • Provides safety briefings to personnel involved in UN aviation activities. • Promotes aviation safety awareness across UN field missions. • Organizes and supports Aviation Safety Committee meetings and Safety Review Boards. • Supervises the preparation of analytical/trends assessment reports. • Supervises the preparation of safety bulletins and newsletters. • Coordinates with other UN agencies and host country civilian and military aviation authorities on the aviation safety matters. • Develops unit budget and reports on the budgetary performance of the Aviation Safety Unit at the end of each financial period. • Monitors that UN financial regulations and rules are complied with in all activities of the Aviation Safety Unit. • Participates in various field mission administrative bodies such as the Local Committee on Contracts, the Tenders Committee, the Local Property Survey Board and Boards of Inquiry. • Develops inputs for the Aviation Safety Unit Staffing Table • Manages the allocation and rotation of appropriate work assignments. Coordinates individual annual work plans for subordinate staff members and produces detailed performance assessments and evaluations as required. • Supervises the personnel management and evaluates staff performance of the Aviation Safety Unit. • Supervises the development of training courses, workshops and other related training activities and coordinates them with UNHQ. Develops and implements the Aviation Safety Unit Training Plan and performs other assigned duties. • Collects and analyses data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

Professionalism – Demonstrated knowledge in the technical field of aviation safety, safety management, accident prevention, hazard identification, risk analysis and risk mitigation. Ability to participate in investigation of incidents and accidents. Ability to identify and analyze key issues and conduct independent research and analysis: ability to formulate options, draw conclusions and make effective recommendations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of management decision-making and convey resulting information to Chief Aviation Safety. 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. Uses time efficiently. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Managing Performance – Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority. Accurately judges the time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches tasks to skill. Appraises performance fairly, regularly discusses performance, and provides feedback and coaching to staff.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in Air Transportation, Aviation Safety Management, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering or Air Traffic Management, or graduation from equivalent military educational establishment is required. A first-level university degree (or military equivalent), combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Certified Commercial Pilot License with Instrument Rating or Maintenance and Engineering certification, or Air Traffic Control (ATC) certificate or Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) pilot certificate or military equivalent is desirable Certification in Project/Programme Management methodology by an accredited body (e.g. PMP, PGMP, PRINCE 2 Foundation Project Management certification or practitioner level) or equivalent is desirable. Formal Training in Safety Management System from a recognized training provider (IATA, Airline, Flight Safety International or equivalent) is required. Formal Training in aviation accident investigation from a recognized training provider (IATA, Airline, Flight Safety International or equivalent) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in air transportation, air traffic control operations, aviation safety or aviation engineering with at least three (3) years at the international level is required. Experience in developing and delivering aviation-related training courses in a military or commercial setting is desirable. Experience in project management, data analytics and operationalizing aviation business processes into various solutions to facilitate decision making is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.