Environment Officer (Noise), ENV

The Organizational Setting

The Office of Environment in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is responsible for advancing efforts to define and promote policies and Standards for environmentally sustainable aviation, managing a portfolio that includes aircraft noise, local air quality, global climate change, clean energy and sustainable aviation fuels, adaptation, circular economy, and a global market-based measure for international aviation.  The Office of Environment also leads the Organization’s efforts on green innovation for mitigation and adaptation.

This position is situated in the Environmental Standards Section (ES) within the Air Transport Bureau (ATB) in ICAO. ES is responsible for the development of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), conducting quantitative studies and assessment of environmental benefits, and providing guidance on aircraft noise, aircraft engine emissions (local air quality), and aeroplane CO2 emissions. The Section maintains all volumes of Annex 16 - Environmental Protection and databases on aircraft noise, aircraft engine emissions, and aeroplane CO2 emissions, and provides support to the Assembly, the Council, the Air Navigation Commission (ANC), the Air Transport Committee (ATC) and the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP).

The Environment Officer, Noise reports directly to the Chief, Environmental Standards (C/ES) and will serve as a technical expert in the field of aircraft noise and emissions technologies. In this capacity, the incumbent will provide support to CAEP, in the maintenance of Standards and policies, environmental analyses, and tools, and their review and development, serving as the Secretary of CAEP Working Group 1 (Noise Technical) and providing support to other CAEP working groups, as required. As such, s/he is fully responsible for her/his actions and decisions as well as for the quality of service delivered by all staff members working on her/his programmes.

Major duties and Responsibilities 

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

Participates in the development of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and develops supporting guidance material to reduce the impact of international aviation on noise, achieving results such as:

•      Serve as Secretary of CAEP Working Group 1 (Noise Technical) and support other working groups as necessary. 

•      Manage and coordinate the development, review and update of Annex 16 provisions related to environmental certification of aircraft. 

•      Provide the expertise related to noise certification schemes, other provisions and policies related to aircraft noise and associated guidance material to ensure that they take into account the latest noise control technology and developments in other associated fields, e.g. land-use planning, noise abatement operating procedures.

•      Closely follow developments in other technical/scientific bodies (e.g. ISO, JAA/FAA standardization groups) on aircraft noise certification, aircraft engine emissions certification, aircraft performance, noise reduction technologies, noise abatement operational procedures, land use planning and noise control techniques, and ensure appropriate follow-through.

•      Support the consideration of interdependencies with local air quality and the global climate.

Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

Manages analyses, databases and the development of tools related to aircraft noise, achieving results such as:

•      Serve as Secretary of CAEP Modelling and Databases Group (MDG) and/or Forecasting and Economic Analysis Support Group (FESG).

•      Develop and maintain ICAO/CAEP databases for aircraft noise and other environmental areas.

•      Conduct and follow up studies and undertake research on environmental issues associated with civil aviation and on possible measures to reduce their impact on the environment. 

•      Keep abreast of international developments and trends relating to environment, particularly in other technical bodies of relevance to the work of CAEP working groups such as SAE, ISO, and IEC, by studying relevant files, correspondence, periodicals, reports and manuals. 

Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

Assists ICAO staff in understanding the implications of activities on the environment, achieving results such as: 

•      Assist in the development and preparation of documentation (working papers, reports, minutes, etc.) related to environmental technical and operational issues to CAEP, ICAO Assembly, Council, Air Navigation Commission (ANC), Air Transport Committee (ATC) and other bodies of the Organization for the approval of C/ES. 

•      Participate in the development and maintenance of noise-related, emissions-related, and other relevant guidance material, as required. 

•      Update ES-related documentation as necessary and prepare memos and reports on ES-related activities. 

•      Monitor the other technical activities of ICAO and provide inputs as necessary to ensure that environmental considerations and implications are taken into account during the development of recommendations from other technical areas; keep C/ENS informed of these developments.

Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

Conducts outreach in the area of aircraft technologies that affect noise and emissions, achieving results such as:

•      Prepare responses to public enquiries on aircraft noise, presentations to interested parties, technical studies, publications and articles, as necessary.

•      Represent ICAO at international meetings related to aircraft noise and emissions.

•      Develop materials that can assist a broad range of stakeholders in delivering accurate communications related to aircraft noise.

•      Assist in the administration of websites dedicated to CAEP and process the technical material to be published on the ICAO website.

Function 5 (incl. Expected results)

Coordinates the development, and preparation, of documentation related to the latest innovations on aircraft Noise and emissions, achieving results such as:

•      Working papers, scenarios, reports, etc. related to innovations in aircraft and engine technologies, to the Assembly, Council, CAEP, and other bodies of the Organization, for the approval of C/ES. 

•     Support C/ES in monitoring the other activities inside and outside ICAO on innovation and provide inputs, as necessary, to ensure that environmental considerations and implications are taken into account.

Function 6 (incl. Expected results)

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential

• A first level university degree in aeronautical engineering, environmental engineering, science, law, or in a related field.

  Professional experience                              

  Essential

  •      A minimum of six (6) years’ experience in the certification and operational aspects of aircraft and aircraft engines, as well as familiarity with noise and/or emissions certification of aircraft, within a government, manufacturing industry, international organization, airline, or airport authority.

  •      Experience with one or more of the models, databases, or tools used to support CAEP analyses.

  •      Experience in international environmental policies, ICAO Assembly Resolutions and Standards and Recommended Practices relating to aviation environmental protection (Annex 16).

  •      Experience in the development and preparation of documentation and technical guidance material in the field of environmental protection.

  •      Broad experience of environmental matters related to civil aviation, including aircraft noise certification, impacts of sound on human health and the environment, aircraft performance and operational procedures, including the assessment of the environmental impact of these procedures.     

  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

  Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject; 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. 

  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. 

  Accountability: Tasks ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 

  Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

  Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

  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.

  Conditions of Employment

  It should be noted that this post is to be filled on a fixed-term basis for an initial period of 2 year.

  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.

  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-3 Net Base Salary 
  per annum + Post Adjustment (net) 
  per annum(*)     USD $64,121   USD $33,150

  (*) Post Adjustment is subject to change.