Posting Title: CHIEF OF UNIT, AIR OPERATIONS, P4

Job Code Title: CHIEF OF UNIT, AIR OPERATIONS

Department/Office: United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan

Duty Station: KHARTOUM

Posting Period: 19 February 2021 - 05 March 2021

Job Opening Number: 21-Transportation-UNITAMS-150478-F-Khartoum (M)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).

The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2524 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNITAMS which is to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; support peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Blue Nile and South Kordofan (the Two Areas) and Darfur; and support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.

The position is based in Khartoum and is located in the Aviation and Movement Control Unit of the Supply Chain and Service Delivery Section. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Supply Chain and Service Delivery.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Chief of Unit, Air Operations will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• • Manages and supervises the activities of the Air Operations Unit.
  • Monitors that air operations are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, Department of Peace Operations (DPO)/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).
  • 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 regional and country aviation authorities and agencies, AOC holders and other Humanitarian Air Services.
  • 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, Supply Chain and 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, letters of assist, 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 Operations Unit at the end of each financial period.
• Coordinates the requisition process with purchasing authorities to ensure that bidding and approval activities meet requirements.
• Determines technical specifications for air transport services and develops statements of work/requirements. Provides responses to UNHQ during the vendor's evaluation to ensure that vendor's proposals meet technical requirements.
• 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 Operations Unit.
• Monitors that UN financial regulations and rules are complied with in all activities of the Air Operations 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.
• Participates, in collaboration with insurance specialists, in resolving problems related to insurance policies for air transport services.
• Develops the Air Operations Unit 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.
• Supervises the development of training courses, workshops and other related training activities and coordinates them with UNHQ. Develops and implements the Air Operations Unit Training Plan.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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; currency with the international aviation industry with the policies and procedures of the aviation regulatory bodies. Knowledge of diverse transport operations, including phases on the Invitation to Bid, Request for Proposals, Letters of Assist, etc. Ability to review alternative options and select most effective and cost-efficient mode of air transport. Ability to provide technical leadership; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to transport operations and related matters. Ability to complete in-depth analyses and to formulate conclusions and recommendations. Ability to conduct emergency logistics preparedness practices to ensure UNITAMS is able to quickly provide passenger services, relief supplies and emergency medical and security evacuations at the onset of a crisis. Shows pride in work and 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.

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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; Does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

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.
• Training and certification as a Commercial Pilot or a Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatcher, or an equivalent military qualification is required.
• An Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or its military equivalent is desirable.
• 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.

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 safety and quality management is desirable

Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules is desirable

Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable

Experience in international operations in a post conflict environment is desirable.

Experience in handling complex organizational issues at local and international level is desirable.

Experience in managing a large multicultural team at country, regional and global levels is desirable.

Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidates may be required to start the assignment/appointment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further notice.

This 'Recruit from Roster' job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station specified in the Job Opening.

Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. 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. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.