CHIEF OF UNIT, AIR OPERATIONS

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position located in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), duty station Abyei. The Chief of Unit, Air Operations, will report directly to the Chief, Service Delivery Services. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Chief of Unit, Air Operations will exercise supervisory, managerial, and technical responsibility across the following functional areas: 1. Operational Management and Regulatory Compliance • Manages and supervises the comprehensive activities of the Aviation Unit to ensure seamless service delivery. • Monitors that all Air Operations strictly comply with UN directives, Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures ( SOPs), ICAO standards, and the host country’s Aeronautical Information Publications. • Ensures operations align with the UN Aviation Safety Manual, DPKO/DFS Aviation Manuals, and UN Aviation Standards for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Air Transport Operations (UN AVSTADS) • Supervises the provision of reliable and cost-effective air transport for passengers and cargo, including the specialized handling of dangerous goods. • Monitors the implementation of quality control procedures across all work processes and ensures the validity of data within management information systems. • Supervises the provision of efficient aviation search and rescue coverage for UN and other requested transport assets. 2. Strategic Planning and Technical Advisory • Develops cost-effective air transport plans in consultation with the Chief, Mission Support Centre, evaluating various air asset modalities for operational efficiency. • Serves as the primary technical advisor to mission substantive and support elements on all aspects of air transport activities. • Supervises the design and implementation of standard operating procedures for all aviation-related processes. • Oversees the preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and formal responses to internal and external audit observations. • Coordinates with other UN units, NGOs, government organizations, and intergovernmental agencies on mission-critical aviation matters. 3. Financial Management and Contract Administration • Develops the Aviation Unit budget and reports on budgetary performance at the end of each financial period. • Acts as the Certifying Officer for air transport tasking, ensuring accurate accounting of all resources and expenditures. • Determines technical specifications and Statements of Work (SOW) for air transport services and coordinates the requisition process with purchasing authorities. • Evaluates services provided under long-term aircraft charter agreements, Letters of Assist (LOA), and ground handling contracts. • Ensures all Unit activities remain in strict compliance with UN financial regulations and rules. • Participates in mission administrative bodies including the Local Committee on Contracts, Tenders Opening Committee, and Boards of Inquiry. 4. Personnel Management and Safety Leadership • Supervises aviation risk management for all UN aviation activities in accordance with established safety protocols. • Manages the Aviation Unit Staffing Table and acts as Line Manager for Sub-Unit Managers, including the allocation and rotation of work assignments. • Coordinates annual work plans and produces detailed performance assessments and evaluations for all staff. • Supervises the development and implementation of the Aviation Unit Training Plan, including workshops and courses coordinated with UNHQ. • Collaborates with insurance specialists to resolve issues related to insurance policies for air transport services. • Performs other related duties as required to support mission objectives. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Principally using data, 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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. 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. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues 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. EducationAdvanced 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. 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. Job - Specific QualificationAn Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or its military equivalent is desirable. Training and certification as a Commercial Pilot or a Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatcher, or an equivalent military qualification is required. Aviation Risk Management training or equivalent is desirable. Work ExperienceA 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 in a position directly related to the coordination of complex air transport operations in the international environment is required. Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules is desirable. Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable. Comprehensive understanding of Long-Term Charter Agreement (LTCA) initial inspections and Air Contractor's performance evaluation is desirable. Experience in Quality Assurance program implementation is desirable. Experience in international operations in a post conflict environment is desirable. Experience in aviation risk management is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).