Overview
The Air Operations Officer, P-3 is responsible for managing and supervising air transport operations within a field mission, ensuring compliance with aviation standards and procedures.
Key Responsibilities
- Manages and supervises the activities of the Aviation Unit.
- Monitors that air operations are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, 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 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.
- Verifies the daily projected Air Tasking Orders (ATOs) for conformance and compliance with the requested tasks, resolves conflicting priorities and ensures that ATOs are published and communicated to all relevant elements in accordance with the established procedures and deadlines.
- Manages routine (regular passenger/cargo, logistics resupply) flights, special (casualty and medical evacuation, VIP) flights and military operational flights.
- Manages the integrated search and rescue operations for UN air assets and other aircraft upon request.
- Supervises timely coordination of diplomatic over flight/landing clearances, ground handling support and hotel accommodation/meal/transportation arrangements for aircrews.
- Conducts the aviation risk management for UN aviation activities in accordance with the established procedures.
- Monitors utilization of UN air assets and analyses the statistical data obtained.
- Liaises with other UN units/sections, non-government and government organizations and intergovernmental agencies on aviation matters.
- Develops and implements the standard operating procedures for the related aviation processes.
- Ensures that aircrews are briefed and conversant with UN policies, aviation safety requirements and the latest applicable aviation standard operating procedures.
- Monitors that appropriate reference documents are current, readily available and accessible to all aircrew members and aviation personnel.
- Develops inputs for budget proposals for the mission's air transport operations.
- Develops inputs for the Mission's Statement of Requirements to UNHQ for aircraft acquisition.
- Provides responses to UNHQ during aircraft technical evaluations to ensure that vendor’s proposals meet technical requirements.
- Supervises the preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observations.
- 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.
- Manages the allocation and rotation of appropriate work assignments.
- Coordinates the individual annual work plans and produces detailed performance assessments and evaluations for the subordinate staff members.
- Develops and coordinates training courses, workshops and other related training activities.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Required Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in air transport operations or aviation safety, with at least three (3) 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 the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is required. Experience in air operations and aircraft contract management is required. Experience in international operations in a post conflict environment is required. Experience in quality management is desirable. Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules is desirable.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in Air Transportation/Aviation Management, Air Traffic 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. Training and certification as a Commercial Pilot, or a Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatcher, or an Air Traffic Controller or an equivalent military qualification is required.
