UNFICYP AIR OPERATIONS ASSISTANT in Nicosia

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Nicosia. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Unit, Air Operations or his/her designate.

Responsibilities

• Carry out Flight operations tasks including assisting with scheduling of UN Flights, arranging airspace and landing clearances, and ordering Ground Handling services.
• Assist aircrew in their dispatch at the airport; Coordinate with the Ground Handling Agent regarding all requirements for aircrew facilitation.
• Coordinate with the Ground Handling Agents for all issues related to operations with Mission aircraft, including but not limited to the following: cleaning services, ground handling equipment, refueling, transportation and verification of service ordered.
• Check weather forecast, NOTAMs.
• Use radios and Flight Tracking systems to monitor the position and movements of UN aircraft.
• Maintain accurate records of activities, related to flight following, aircraft dispatch and technical compliance
• Enter reports into the radio log, complete radio logs in accordance with DOS (Department of Operational Support) Aviation standards.
• Complete the Operations Risk Management Checklist.
• Coordinate with local Authorities ( Civil Aviation Authority, Airport Authority and Air Force Base Authority), all requirements in support of Mission air operations, including but limited to airport passes, authorizations, escorting staff in and out of the airport, plan and coordinate the maintenance hangar space, support equipment required, etc.
• Collect and analyse AURs (Aircraft Use Report) and prepare FHR(Flight Hour Reports) to each flight and for all types of aircraft on daily basis.
• Perform any other duties as required by the Chief of the Unit or his/her designate.

Competencies

Professionalism: Proven analytical and evaluation skills. Thorough knowledge of all forms of air transportation activities. Thorough knowledge of aviation safety requirements. Ability to work independently in managing difficult and time sensitive situations as well as conflicting priorities; demonstrated analytical and evaluative skills. 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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Technical or vocational certificate in Air Transportation, Safety Management, Air Traffic Control or graduation from equivalent military establishment or military/air traffic control training is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible experience in Air Transport Operations.
Experience in international environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Applicants to positions in the General Service category must meet the relevant employment requirements of the host country (Cyprus), including fulfilling visa or work permit stipulations.

The United Nations Secretarial Committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance on its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

About UNFICYP

UNFICYP is one of the longest-running UN Peacekeeping missions. It was set up in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island and bring about a return to normal conditions.

The Mission’s responsibilities expanded in 1974, following a coup d’etat by elements favouring union with Greece and a subsequent military intervention by Turkey, whose troops established control over the northern part of the island.

Since a de facto ceasefire in August 1974, UNFICYP has supervised the ceasefire lines; provided humanitarian assistance; and maintained a buffer zone between the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces in the north and the Greek Cypriot forces in the south. UNFICYP’s Chief of Mission also serves as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and in that capacity leads efforts to assist the parties in reaching a comprehensive settlement.

The ceasefire lines extend over 180 kilometers across the island. In the absence of a formal ceasefire agreement, UNFICYP’s 800-plus troops and 60-plus police officers deal with hundreds of incidents each year.

UNFICYP also delivers humanitarian aid to Greek Cypriots and a small Maronite community living in the northern part of the island and it assists Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part of the island.

UNFICYP supports the fullest possible resumption of normal civilian activity in the buffer zone, keeping in mind that this is still an area under permanent armed watch by military on both sides. To this end, it facilitates the resumption of farming in the buffer zone where safe, and assists both communities on matters related to the supply of electricity and water across the lines.

The Mission is currently headed by Elizabeth Spehar of Canada, who is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission.

The Mission’s work is based on four components that work together closely: the military, UN Police (UNPOL), the Civil Affairs Branch and Administration, which supports all activities. The Mission counts almost 1100 personnel. Since 1964, almost 186 UN personnel have lost their lives while serving in UNFICYP.

The Security Council established UNFICYP through resolution 186 (1964) on 4 March 1964 and has renewed the Mission’s mandate for six-month terms since then.

Attempts to solve the Cyprus conflict and reunify the island have so far been without result, although relations between north and south have improved over the years. Among other things, this led to the opening of several crossing points across the buffer zone, most notably across Ledra Street in old Nicosia on 3 April 2008.

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