Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Strategic Air Operations Centre (SAOC) within the Air Transport Service (ATS), Logistics Division (LD), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), Department of Operational Support (DOS). 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. 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. This position is located in the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) Brindisi, Italy at the Strategic Air Operations Centre. The incumbent of the post will report to the Chief Strategic Air Operations Centre (SAOC).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Air Operations Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Monitor and evaluate air operations activities are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Order (ATO), Standard Operating Procedures, UN directives, Department of Operational Support (DOS) Aviation Manual, ICAO, IATA and the host country’s Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP). • Review and recommend all operational and logistical mission flight requests as sent by JMCC (Joint Movement Control Centre)/MOVCON (Movement Control) and Force Air Operations. • Review and make recommendations on special missions and VIP flight-requests and manifests. • Review, plan and coordinate daily projected task orders and air support requirements. • Ensure air assets are selected and allocated to achieve maximum cost effectiveness in mission support. • Prepare and publish mission materials, flight schedules, air tasking orders and issue the same to flight crews. • Monitor the Flight Management Unit conducts its activities in accordance with the published procedures and instructions. • Upon request, obtain diplomatic clearances, flight plans and weather information for flights outside the mission. • Develop and implement aviation standard operating procedures (SOPs) in compliance with the DOS Aviation Manual, ICAO, IATA and the host country’s AIP. • Provide initial training to new flight crew personnel, and ascertain flight crews are briefed and conversant with UN policy, flight safety procedures and latest applicable aviation standard requirements • Confirm that appropriate reference documents are readily available and accessible to all flight crew and aviation personnel. • Coordinate integrated Search and Rescue Air operations. • Coordinate weather observation, forecasting development and dissemination. • Manage daily flight operations through Flight Following. • Work in close collaboration with the Aircraft Contracts Management to ensure compliance with daily requirements. • Liaise closely with other Sections within the Field Mission, International Organizations/Agencies concerning aviation movement matters to ensure efficient, economical and safe use of air asset. • Prepare inputs, data and estimates for budget reporting and planning purposes. • Perform other duties as required. • Collects and analyzes 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. • Ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented.

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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning & 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 Qualification

Technical aviation qualification such as, Commercial Pilot License, Air Traffic Control License, Flight Operations Officer License/Flight Dispatcher, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license, Aeronautical Engineer, Grounds Operations Officer or an equivalent military qualification is desirable 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. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible technical experience in air transport management and operations, with at least three years at the international level is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first level University degree. Experience in invoices verification, certification, processing and reconciliation for air operations is required Experience in air operation centers in support of field operations (inclusive of peacekeeping operations, special political missions, agencies funds and programmes), or similar organizations is required. Experience in the use of Power Business Intelligence (BI) or similar data analysis and visualization tool is required. Managerial experience of commercial air charter operations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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 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. 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.