ICAO: Chief, Aviation Security and Cybersecurity Policy Section – Montreal

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    $143,000 - $183,000 / YEAR
  • Job type:
    FULL_TIME
  • Posted:
    7 hours ago
  • Category:
    Peace and Security
  • Deadline:
    13/01/2026

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Organizational Setting

The Aviation Security and Cybersecurity Policy (ASP) Section in the Air Transport Bureau (ATB) is responsible for policy development related to security of the international air transport system, including developing and updating Annex 17 – Aviation Security; and providing Secretariat support to the Assembly, the Council, and its Committees, the Air Navigation Commission and other relevant small groups, particularly on cross-cutting issues.

The ASP Section is responsible for policy development with regards to aviation security and cybersecurity in international civil aviation, including:

  • developing and updating the Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP)
  • developing and updating the Aviation Cybersecurity Strategy and the Cybersecurity Action Plan;
  • managing the work of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) Panel and its subsidiary bodies
  • managing the work of the Cybersecurity Panel (CYSECP), its subsidiary bodies and the Ad Hoc Cybersecurity Coordination Committee (AHCCC);
  • managing the continued development of aviation security guidance material, including inter alia Doc 8973 – Aviation Security Manual, Doc 10084 – Risk Assessment Manual for Civil Aircraft Operations Over or Near Conflict Zones and Doc 10108 – Aviation Security Global Risk Context Statement;
  • developing aviation cybersecurity guidance material;
  • ensuring the international air law framework is adequate to address attacks against civil aviation, including cyber-attacks;
  • raising awareness in different fora on the importance of addressing aviation security and cybersecurity in civil aviation; and
  • supporting aviation security and cybersecurity discussions on the regional and global levels,

In addition, the ASP Section is responsible for fostering cooperation on security matters with other United Nations agencies and international Industry organizations.

The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Director, Aviation Security, Cybersecurity and Facilitation (DD/ASF), from whom s/he receives advice and guidance on complex technical and managerial issues. S/he supervises all Professional and General Service staff of the Section and is responsible for his/her actions and decisions as well as for the quality of services delivered by all staff members of the Section. The supervisory level includes technical supervision, coaching and training, as well as performance evaluation, delegation and distribution of tasks and decisions on priorities.

Major duties and Responsibilities

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

Oversees the development of new and amended Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) related to the security of the air transport system, achieving results such as:

  • Update and maintain security related SARPS (Annex 17 – Aviation Security), through the provision of support to the Aviation Security Panel (AVSECP) and its Working Groups;
  • Update and maintain cybersecurity related SARPS, through the support of the Cybersecurity Panel (CYSECP) and its Working Groups;
  • Coordinate the activities of all AVSECP and CYSECP Working Groups in order to ensure the development of appropriate SARPs based on assessment of applicable threats and risks, with inputs from other Working Groups and Task Forces, as necessary;
  • Coordinate the development and updating of the impact assessments for all new and amended SARPs prior to transmission to Council;
  • Consult in an appropriate and timely manner with States regarding proposed amendments to Annex 17 and the filing of differences thereto using he ICAO Electronic Filing of Differences (EFOD).

Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

Provides support for ICAO Assembly and deliberative bodies responsible for security matters, including AVSEC and CYSEC achieving results such as:

  • Liaise proactively with expert groups and deliberative bodies, particularly the AVSEC Panel, the CYSEC Panel, Aviation Security Committee (ASC), the Ad-Hoc Cybersecurity Coordinating Committee (AHCCC)) and Council, on matters relating to security, including cybersecurity policy development, ensuring optimal understanding by such bodies of pertinent policy issues;
  • Consult in an appropriate and timely manner with other entities, such as the Air Navigation Bureau, Legal and External Affairs Bureau, and ICAO Regional Offices and coordinate cross-cutting security policy issues with all relevant components of the Organization, including the Air Navigation Commission and other committees/panels;
  • Manage the planning and preparation of security, including cybersecurity working papers for ICAO governing bodies, leading to informed and focused deliberations;
  • Update, maintain and monitor the Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP) as necessary, in close coordination with the AVSEC Panel and monitor GASeP related activities and initiatives;
  • Update, maintain and monitor the Aviation Cybersecurity Strategy, the Cybersecurity Action Plan, in close coordination with the CYSECP and the AHCCC;
  • Develop and implement security-related task related to UAS, RPAS and AAM, in close coordination with ANB; and
  • Develop and implement security-related tasks of the ICAO work programme on Conflict zones.

Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

Ensures the development and maintenance of guidance material to assist States in the implementation of Annex 17 SARPS, cybersecurity provisions, and improving operations over and near conflict zones achieving results such as:

  • Update the Aviation Security Manual (Doc 8973) and associated guidance material, in coordination with the WGGM and other Working Groups, as necessary;
  • Update the Aviation Security Global Risk Context Statement (Doc 10108) and MANPADs Toolkit, in coordination with the WGTR;
  • Update the Global Cyber Risk Considerations (Doc 10213), in coordination with the WGCTR;
  • Develop and update the Risk Management Manual, in coordination with the WGTR;
  • Develop and update the Cybersecurity Manual, in coordination with the WGCGM;
  • Update the Risk Assessment Manual for Civil Aircraft Operations over or near Conflict Zones, in close coordination with the Air Navigation Bureau;
  • Update the Aviation Security Training Manual (Doc 10207), in coordination with the ISD-SEC Section and the WGT;
  • Develop and update stand-alone guidance to help States to implement specific security provisions, as required;
  • Coordinate with other Sections, Bureaus and entities to ensure the development of suitable security-related guidance material produced by those entities, including with regard to Facilitation, Air Navigation and Aviation Safety; and
  • Validate and revise cybersecurity ANS Security, Conflict zones training courses and iPack, in coordination with other Sections, as necessary.

Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

Manages ICAO’s Security Policy communications, information sharing and outreach activities, achieving such results as:

  • Liaise effectively with members of the UN Counter Terrorism Global Compact and other International and Regional Organizations, on matters of aviation security contributing to counter-terrorism;
  • Engage properly and effectively with other UN entities, by providing timely inputs for reports and publications for the UN and its Counter-Terrorism Global Compact, leading to informed and focused discussions and reinforcing ICAO’s leadership role in aviation security;
  • Coordinate activities related to the organization of the ICAO Security Week and other international and regional events related to aviation security policy issues;
  • Promote the GASEP and effectively implement the Cybersecurity Action Plan and activities to raise awareness in different for a on the importance of security of the air transport system; and
  • Maintain and administer with the Aviation Security Audits Section (ASA), the Aviation Security Application Portal (ASeAP), in particular, the information sharing applications such as the database on incidents and acts of unlawful interference (AUID) and of the AVSEC Point of Contact Network in coordination with the Regional Offices.

Function 5 (incl. Expected results)

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential

  • An advanced-level university degree (Master’s degree or academic equivalent) in security, law, international affairs, public administration, aviation, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience in security, law, international affairs, public administration, aviation or a related field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Professional experience

Essential

  • A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in progressively responsible positions with accountability for aviation security programmes, including at least three years with a State civil aviation security authority and/or international organization.
  • Demonstrated experience in the development and/or implementation of aviation security and cybersecurity policy.
  • Experience in effectively communicating with a wide variety of audiences on an international basis, in cultivating productive relationships, and handling sensitive security discussions with diplomacy and tact.

Desirable

  • Experience in developing professional relationships with senior officials at key institutions whose activities are related to international civil aviation.
  • Experience as an auditor, inspector or trainer in international aviation security.
  • Experience in the conduct of security oversight at a management level.

Languages

Essential

• Fluent reading, writing, and speaking abilities in English.

Desirable

• A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

Professionalism: Thorough knowledge of international aviation conventions, ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices related to aviation security (Annex 17), as well as associated guidance material and best practices. Thorough knowledge of aviation cybersecurity. Knowledge of ICAO functions and its organization, particularly its processes and procedures. Familiarity with management tools and techniques. 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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues in all bureaus to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Managerial Competencies:

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 improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Conditions of Employment

It should be noted that this post is to be filled on a fixed-term basis for an initial period of 3 years (first year is probationary for an external candidate).

ICAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Secretary General and may be assigned to any activities or offices of the Organization, in accordance with the provisions of the ICAO service code (Staff Regulations).

ICAO staff members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as international civil servants. In this connection, ICAO has incorporated the 2013 Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service into the ICAO Personnel Instructions.

ICAO offers an attractive benefit package to its employees in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

The statutory retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service after 1 January 2014 is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

Remuneration:
Level P-5
Rate
Net Base Salary

per annum
+
Post Adjustment (net)

per annum(*)

USD $101,540

USD $38,280

(*) Post Adjustment is subject to change.