Air Operations Officer

About the role

The Air Operations Officer is based in the Aviation Section of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) at Bentiu, a non-family duty station. The post reports to the Chief Air Operations Unit in Juba and covers the monitoring, planning and coordination of air operations for the Mission.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor air operations and ensure compliance with Air Tasking Orders, SOPs, UN directives, the DPO Aviation Manual, ICAO, IATA and the host country's AIPs.
• Select the most suitable air assets in terms of cost, safety and efficiency, and review operational and logistical flight requests.
• Manage special mission and VIP flight requests and manifests, and coordinate daily task orders and air support requirements.
• Prepare and publish mission materials, flight schedules and air task orders for flight crews, and develop and implement aviation SOPs.
• Brief flight crews on UN policies, flight safety procedures and applicable aviation requirements, and make reference documents available to all aviation personnel.
• Coordinate integrated search and rescue air operations, weather observation and forecasting, and daily flight operations through Flight Following.
• Liaise with other sections and international organizations on aviation movements, and coordinate with the host government and airport authorities on airfield operations and projects such as Performance Based Navigation Security.
• Initiate procurement of airport and airfield equipment and prepare scopes of work, technical and ground support evaluations.
• Prepare inputs for budget reporting and planning, and perform other related duties.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in Air Transportation/Aviation Management, Air Traffic Management, Aviation Safety Management, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, or an equivalent military education; alternatively a first-level degree with relevant training, certification in air transport and two more years of experience.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in air transport operations or aviation safety, including at least three years of managerial experience coordinating complex strategic air transport operations internationally.
• Experience with ICAO standards and practices, and with managing international air transport in a UN field operation or similar international organization, is desirable.
• Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules is desirable.
• English at UN Level II in reading, writing, listening and speaking; French is the other working language of the Secretariat.