Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Air Operations Officer will be responsible for the following
duties:
• 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 (AlPs).
• 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.
• Consolidates and reviews all operational and logistical mission flight requests.
• Coordinates plans and verities 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.
• Prepares and publishes mission materials, flight schedules and air task orders and issues
them to Flight crews.
• Participates in the development of aviation standard operating procedures (SOPs) in
compliance with the DOS Aviation Manual, TCAO, TA and the host country’s AlPs.
• Ensures that flight crews are briefed and conversant with UN policies, flight safety
procedures and latest applicable aviation standard requirements. Confirms that appropriate
reference documents are readily available and accessible to all Hight crew members and
aviation personnel.
• Manages routine (regular passenger/cargo, logistics resupply) flights, special (casualty and
medical evacuation, VIP) flights and military operational flights.
• Coordinates 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/meals, transportation arrangements for aircrews.
• Coordinates weather observation, forecasting and dissemination of weather information.
• Liaises closely with other Sections/Missions, international organizations/agencies
concerning aviation movement matters.
• Liaises with other UN units/sections, non-government and government organizations and
intergovernmental agencies on aviation matters.
• Verifies and analyses the detailed FSDH Statement of Requirements to UNHQ for aircraft
acquisition.
• Coordinates the responses to UNHQ aircraft technical evaluations to ensure that vendor’s
proposals meet technical requirements under the service delivery model.
• Prepares operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit
observations.
• Prepares inputs, data and estimates for budget reporting and planning purposes.
• Acts for the Chief Air Mode Unit in his/her absence.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of aviation industry procurement, operations and logistics
processes; Knowledge of institutional mandates, ICAO Standards and Recommended
Practices and Annexes of the Chicago Convention, policies and guidelines pertaining to air
transport operations and related matters; Knowledge of computer systems similar to SAP ERP
and Power BI applications; Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules. 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; 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.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks
to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships
with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to
appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’
environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or
setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
High School diploma or equivalent is required.
Job Specific Qualifications
Training and certification from civilian educational institution (commercial/state) in Air
Transportation, as a Commercial Pilot or a Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatcher, or an
equivalent military qualification is required.
Professional certification in supply chain (CSCP), Supply Chain Operations Reference
(SCOR-P), MCIPS, or Lean Six-Sigma or 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.
Training in the safety and quality management is desirable.
Air Transportation/Aviation Management, Aviation Safety Management,
Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, or graduation from an equivalent military educational
establishment is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (l0) years of progressively responsible experience in air transport
operations or aviation safety with at least three (3) years of supervisory experience in a
position directly related to the coordination of complex air transport operations in the
international environment is required. The minimum years of relevant experience are reduced
to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first level university degree.
Experience in the development and implementation of the safety and quality management
systems is desirable.
Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable.
Experience in air transportation management and/or aviation operations in support of field
operations (inclusive of peacekeeping operations, special political missions, agencies funds
and programmes), or similar organisation is desirable.
Managerial experience of commercial air charter operations is desirable.
Experience in the use of Power Business Intelligence (BI) or similar data analysis and
visualization tool is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the
position advertised, fluency in English language is required. Knowledge of French or another
official United Nations language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be
followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by
him 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.
• This position is funded by the Support Account. The Appointment or assignment against this
position is for an initial period of one year.
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and
geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this
position.
• Applicants from troop and police-contributing countries who are found most suitable and
recommended for selection will be given due consideration for positions in a peacekeeping
operation or Headquarters support account funded positions in the Department of Peace
Operations and the Department of Operational Support, taking into account their contribution
to United Nations peacekeeping, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 66/265
and 67/287.
• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young
professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of
their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of
staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity,
with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of
qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse
and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff
regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic
backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may
be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated
in the application
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.
