CHIEF OF UNIT, AIR OPERATIONS

Org. Setting and ReportingThe temporary position is located within the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH). Pursuant to Security Council resolution 2793 (2025), UNSOH has been mandated to provide support; primarily to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the Haitian National Police (HNP), and the Haitian Armed Forces in the context of any joint operations with the GSF. Additionally, UNSOH is tasked with delivering technical assistance to the Organization of American States (OAS). The incumbents at this level are responsible to manage a component in missions that are of moderate complexity in terms of size, scope, programmes and operations. The Chief of Unit, Air Operations is responsible for following duties: Management of air transport operations within a field mission; Development and management of unit budget; Management of unit human resources; Development and management of mission aviation standard operating procedures; Coordination with the host country civil and military authorities. The temporary position is based in Port au Prince and is located in the Aviation Section. The incumbent will report to the Chief Aviation Section P5 or designated official. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Chief of Unit, Air Operations, P-4 will be responsible for the following duties: • Manages and supervises the activities of the Air Operations 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 Chief, Service Delivery and/or Chief of Mission Support, a cost-effective and efficient air transport plans accessing the modalities of different types of air assets in operational terms. • Evaluates services rendered to a field mission under long-term aircraft charter agreements, letters of assist, stand-by air charter agreements and ground handling contracts. • Develops budget for field mission's air transport operations and reports on the budgetary performance of the Air Operations 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 work/requirements. Provides responses to UNHQ during the vendor's evaluation to ensure that vendor’s proposals meet technical requirements. • Acts as a Certifying Officer for the air transport tasking with the overall responsibility for the efficient use and accurate accounting of all resources controlled and all expenditures made by the Air Operations Unit. • Monitors that UN financial regulations and rules are complied with in all activities of the Air Operations Unit. • Participates in various field mission administrative bodies such as the Local Committee on Contracts, the Tenders Committee, the Local Property Survey Board and Boards of Inquiry. • Participates, in collaboration with insurance specialists, in resolving problems related to insurance policies for air transport services. • Develops the Air Operations Unit Staffing Table and 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 Air Operations 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. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of diverse aviation operations. Knowledge of aviation industry procurement and logistics processes. Knowledge of institutional mandates, ICAO Standards and recommended Practices and Annexes of the Chicago Convention, policies and guidelines pertaining to air transport operations and related matters. Ability to review alternative options and select most effective and cost-efficient mode of transport of equipment, supplies and personnel. Ability to provide technical leadership; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to aviation operations and related matters. Ability to complete in-depth analyses and to formulate conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and 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. 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. 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. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands in the best interest of the organization. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) 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, on any of the education areas mentioned above, 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. 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 on a position directly related to the coordination of complex air transport operations in the international environment is required. Experience in managing and supervising diverse teams is required. Experience in coordinating air operations with diverse stakeholders, UN agencies funds and programmes, is required. Experience in air operations and contract management is required. Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is required. Experience in international operations in a post conflict environment is required. Experience in safety and quality management is desirable. Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French and Spanish are desirable. 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).