Chief of Unit, Air Operations

The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including departments, Offices Away from Headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions. The Office of Supply Chain Management includes the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management, Logistics Division, Procurement Division, Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, Global Service Centre and the Enabling and Outreach Service. The Logistics Division (LD) performs a central role in the implementation of end-to-end supply chain management across the United Nations (UN) operations. The LD provides direction and advice on logistical matters, monitors and assesses the delivery of strategic transportation and support services and directs the delivery of transportation and specialist support services in the functional areas of air transport including unmanned/remotely piloted aviation, ground transport, engineering, medical and supply, inclusive of fuel, rations and general supplies and security equipment. The Integrated Movement Service (IMS) provides unified strategic oversight of multimodal movement operations. It comprises the Strategic Multimodal Movement Operations Centre (SMMOC) in Brindisi, Movement Control and Delivery Planning capacity in New York, and the Forward Support Deployment Hub in Entebbe. Together, these components provide seamless services to all United Nations Secretariat entities and support Member States, particularly troop- and police-contributing countries, through the integrated movement of United Nations-owned equipment (UNOE), uniformed personnel and contingent-owned equipment. As a single coordination entity, IMS delivers an end-to-end framework that aligns multimodal transportation activities and enhances operational efficiency. This position is located in the Strategic Multimodal Movement Operations Centre (SMMOC) within the Integrated Movement Service (IMS), Logistics Division (LD), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), Department of Operational Support (DOS). The position is based in Brindisi, Italy. The incumbent of the post will report to the Chief, Strategic Multimodal Movement Operations Centre (SMMOC), or designated official.

Under the general supervision of the Chief SMMOC, the Chief of Unit, Air Operations Officer will be responsible for the following duties: General: • Manages and supervises the activities of the Strategic Air Operations Centre (SAOC) unit. • Monitors that air operations are conducted in compliance with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, Department of Operational Support (DOS) Aviation Manual, UN Aviation Standards for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Air Transport Operations (UN AVSTADS), UN Aviation Safety Manual, ICAO standards and recommended practices and the host country's Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs). • Supervises the provision of reliable, cost effective and efficient air transport services for the transportation of passengers and cargo (including dangerous goods requiring special handling) within a field mission and resolves conflicting priorities. • Supervises the aviation risk management for UN aviation activities in accordance with the established procedures. • Provides technical advice to the substantive and support elements of a field mission on all aspects of the air transport activities. • Liaises with other UN units/sections, non-government and government organizations and intergovernmental agencies on aviation matters. • Supervises the provision of efficient aviation search and rescue coverage for UN transport assets and other transport assets upon request. • Supervises the preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observations. • Supervises the development and implementation of standard operating procedures for aviation related processes. • Monitors that quality control procedures are implemented for all work processes. • Monitors the accuracy and validity of data recorded in the management information systems. • Develops, in consultation with the client Chief Aviation Officer, Chief, Service Delivery and/or Chief of Mission Support, a cost-effective and efficient air transport plan accessing the modalities of different types of air assets in operational terms as defined by the requirement. • Evaluates services rendered to a field mission under long-term aircraft charter agreements, Letters of Assist (LOA)s, Stand-by Air Charter Agreements (SACA)s and ground handling contracts. • Provides input to client field mission's air transport and movement control operations and reports on the budgetary performance of the Strategic Air Operations Centre unit at the end of each financial period. • Coordinates the requisition process with purchasing authorities to ensure that bidding and approval activities meet requirements. • Determines technical specifications for air transport services and develops Statements of Works (SOW) requirements. Provides responses to UNHQ during the vendor's evaluation to ensure that vendor's proposals meet technical requirements. • Monitors that UN financial regulations and rules are complied with in all activities of the Strategic Air Operations Unit. • Participates, in collaboration with insurance specialists, in resolving problems related to insurance policies for air transport services linked to SAOC. • Acts as a Line Manager to Sub-Unit Managers. Manages the allocation and rotation of appropriate work assignments. Coordinates individual annual work plans for unit managers and produces detailed performance assessments and evaluations for all staff as required. • Supervises the personnel management and evaluates staff performance of the Strategic Air Operations Centre unit. • Supervises the development of training courses, workshops and other related training activities and coordinates them with UNHQ. Develops and implements the Air Operations Unit Training Plan. • Performs other related duties as required.

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of air transport operations in accordance with the requirements and procedures set out in the UN DPO/DDOS Aviation Manual, the UN Aviation Safety Manual and the UN Aviation Standards for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Air Transport Operations. 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. 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. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes 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.

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent degree) in Air Transportation/Aviation Management, Aviation Safety Management, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, or related areas in Logistics or Supply Chain Management, 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.

Technical aviation qualification such as, Commercial Pilot License, Air Traffic Control License, Flight Operations Officer License, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license or Aeronautical Engineer is required.

A 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 on a position directly related to the coordination of complex air transport operations in the international environment is required Experience in managing operation centres is required. Experience in managing and supervising diverse teams in an international organization is required. Experience in coordinating air operations with diverse stakeholders is required. Experience in safety and quality management is desirable. Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable. Experience in international operations in a post conflict environment is desirable. Experience working with data analytics and visualization tools and developing data analytics and visualization reports and dashboards is desirable.

English 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).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This position is temporarily available for six (6) months with a possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. NOTE: While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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