Chief of Unit, Air Operations

Organizational context:
The Department of Operational Support (DOS) provides end-to-end operational support across the UN Secretariat. The Logistics Division (LD) plays a key role in supply chain management, directing transportation and specialist support services. The Integrated Movement Service (IMS) offers unified oversight of multimodal movement operations. This role is within the Strategic Multimodal Movement Operations Centre (SMMOC) in Brindisi, Italy, reporting to its Chief.

Job purpose:

This role manages and supervises the Strategic Air Operations Centre (SAOC) unit, ensuring air operations comply with all relevant UN, ICAO, and host country regulations and standards. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the provision of reliable, cost-effective, and efficient air transport services for passengers and cargo, including managing aviation risks. The position provides technical advice on air transport activities, liaises with various stakeholders, and supervises aviation search and rescue coverage.

Key duties include preparing operational plans, developing and implementing standard operating procedures, monitoring quality control, and managing data accuracy. The role also involves developing cost-effective air transport plans, evaluating service agreements, reporting on budgetary performance, and coordinating procurement processes. Furthermore, it defines technical specifications for air transport services, ensures compliance with financial regulations, and manages insurance-related issues. The incumbent acts as a Line Manager, overseeing personnel, performance assessments, and training development for the SAOC unit.

Responsibilities:
Manage and supervise the Strategic Air Operations Centre (SAOC) unit activities. Ensure air operations comply with Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UN directives, DOS Aviation Manual, UN AVSTADS, UN Aviation Safety Manual, ICAO standards, and host country AIPs. Supervise the provision of reliable, cost-effective, and efficient air transport services for passengers and cargo, resolving conflicting priorities. Oversee aviation risk management for UN aviation activities.

Provide technical advice on air transport to mission elements. Liaise with UN units, government, and non-government organizations on aviation matters. Supervise aviation search and rescue coverage. Prepare operational plans, performance reports, and audit responses. Develop and implement aviation-related SOPs and monitor quality control. Monitor data accuracy in management information systems. Develop cost-effective air transport plans in consultation with stakeholders. Evaluate services under charter agreements and contracts.

Report on budgetary performance of the SAOC unit. Coordinate requisition processes and define technical specifications for air transport services. Ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and rules. Resolve insurance-related issues for air transport services. Act as a Line Manager, overseeing staff, work assignments, performance assessments, and training development for the SAOC unit.

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Air Transportation/Aviation Management, Aviation Safety Management, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, or related Logistics/Supply Chain Management fields is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with a relevant combination of education, professional training, and air transport operations certification, plus two additional years of experience, may be accepted. A technical aviation qualification (e.g., Pilot, ATC, Flight Operations, Maintenance Engineer license) is also required.

Work experience:

A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in air transport operations or aviation safety is required, including at least five years of managerial experience in coordinating complex international air transport operations. Experience in managing operations centres, diverse international teams, and coordinating with various stakeholders is essential. Experience in safety and quality management, ICAO standards, international post-conflict operations, and data analytics/visualization tools is desirable.

Skills:

Professionalism, Client Orientation, Accountability, Air transport operations management, Aviation safety, Risk management, Stakeholder liaison, Operational planning, Quality control, Personnel management, Training development, Data analysis.

Required languages:
English, French

Desired…