Aviation Officer – UNHAS – Consultancy roster for various locations


Are you an Aviation Professional and interested in humanitarian work?

If yes, this opportunity is for you!

We are looking for candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. We select our candidates on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

Currently, we are looking for candidates to support our operations in various locations.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest humanitarian organisation delivering food assistance to over 90 million beneficiaries in 80 countries on a yearly basis. With over 5000 trucks, 50 ships and close to 100 planes on the move every single day, WFP, together with its partners, operates a global network to deliver life-saving food assistance to the most hard-to reach places. WFP is managing the UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN AIR SERVICE (UNHAS) which is providing aviation services to all Humanitarian workers to the most inaccessible areas, to enable them to provide their lifesaving support to the most vulnerable people in the world.

Last year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize 2020 to the World Food Programme for its efforts to combat hunger and its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas.

JOB PURPOSE

In the performance of his/her function, the Aviation Officer will report to the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) Chief Air Transport Officer (CATO) through the Head of the UNHAS Base. In this role, the Aviation Officer will advise the Chief Air Transport Officer and the Heads of “Client Agencies” on matters pertaining to aircraft operations; and liaise with regional and country aviation authorities and agencies, Air Operator certificate holders and other UNHAS Aviation Officers. Administratively, the Aviation Officer reports to the CATO when deployed in the same base, otherwise to the Head of Area Office of the host Country Office who provides the logistics and management support services. The incumbent will cover the position of Aviation Officer according to the current structure and with the accountabilities and responsibilities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the CATO, and within delegated authority, the Aviation Officer – UNHAS will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Participate in the development of standard aviation operating procedures within the field or contribute towards global aviation policies and tools for use across WFP, ensuring that aviation objectives are accomplished in compliance with WFP, UN AVSTADS, ICAO, and SARP standards.
  • Provide technical advice, guidance, and support to operations in the field or manage all activities and resources relating to specific WFP Aviation and/or UNHAS operations of moderate complexity ensuring the availability of safe, efficient and cost-effective aviation services to the humanitarian community.
  • Hold accountability for the safety and security of aviation operations within the area of assignment ensuring that all required security measures, systems and programs are in place.
  • Sustain strategic partnerships with key entities such as governments, NGOs, private sector organizations and UN agencies to facilitate coordinated and sustainable services e.g. uninterrupted humanitarian access to remote locations and readily available assets for emergency interventions.
  • Maintain productive relationships with regional and country directors and WFP partners within own transportation modality/region (e.g. user agencies counterparts, regional aviation safety officers) to support effective negotiation of air operations tariffs, charges and taxes and provide a coordinated service to aviation customers within the region.
  • Lead and motivate an aviation team, providing coaching, training and guidance as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.
  • Build and strengthen the capacity of WFP staff, civil aviation authorities, user agencies and other humanitarian aviation service providers to encourage safe, efficient and cost-effective operations.
  • Oversee and prepare accurate and timely accounting, data analysis and reporting, to contribute to a WFP wide view of aviation activities, enabling informed decision making and detailed reporting to donor representatives.
  • Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of specific aviation risks to enable WFP to quickly provide passenger services, relief supplies and emergency medical and security evacuations to humanitarian actors in relief operations and at the onset of a crisis.
  • Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
  • Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance and other Common Logistics Services needs.
  • Deputize the CATO if required.
  • Other as required.

STANDARD MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

You have an Advanced University degree in Aeronautics, Aviation Engineering, Aviation Maintenance Engineering, Airport Management, or other relevant field; OR Aviation Military officers’ professional career (including degree) as pilot or navigator pilot; OR First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience AND in possession of one of the following Aviation licenses: Commercial Pilot License, Air Traffic Control License, Flight Operations Officer or Flight Dispatcher Officer License.

Experience

You have:

  • Have had a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the aviation industry
  • Good organisation and coordination skills
  • Experience liaising with country authorities to facilitate air operations.
  • Experience establishing methodologies for risk analysis and problem solving.
  • Have held a supervisory or management position in air operations and has successfully completed an Aviation Safety Management course or equivalent.

Language

  • You are fluent in oral and written English;
  • Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, French, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages) is desirable.

DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • Experience managing the risk preparedness process including aviation risk identification and analysis.
  • Experience fostering strategic alliances for WFP.
  • Knowledge in humanitarian aviation activities and/or WFP field operations is desirable.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP:

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

How to apply

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Application deadline: 30 November 2021 (midnight Rome time)

Your CV must be submitted in English

Women applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply. WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.