ICAO Roster-Accident Investigation Expert at UNDP in San Diego, CA

The Organizational Setting

Under the direction of Director of the Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau (CDI), the Field Operations Section (FOS) is responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and closure of Technical Assistance (TA) and Technical Cooperation (TC) projects. It drafts agreements and aids in creating country-specific and regional projects and programs by identifying priority areas, developing objectives, activities, and deliverables, setting timelines, and specifying budgetary requirements.

Additionally, under the direction of the CDI Director, the Field Personnel Section (FPS/FRU) recruits international experts to implement Capacity Development and Implementation projects across various Civil Aviation fields and manages the ICAO Roster of Experts.

Major duties and Responsibilities

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

Determine the status of the AIG investigation capability through:

• Reviewing previous reports of missions conducted by various sources, including ICAO Regional Office and COSCAPs. Reviewing all PQs related to AIG in the State to help identify the scope of work to be completed.
• Reviewing the corrective actions already taken based on the Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) and identify yet notsatisfactory PQs. Providing consultancy, direction, advice and consistence guidance to correct yet not-satisfactory PQs.
• Monitoring progress of implementation of CAPs for not-satisfactory PQs and assisting national counterpart staff by providing further guidance.
• Providing advice and guidance to national counterparts to regularly update the AIG CAPs onto the CMA Online Framework (OLF), including Self-Assessment. Assist PC to raise awareness to the State technical staff and AIG investigators on the general understanding of the USOAP – CMA programme and all related matters, including the CMA Online Framework (OLF).

Deliverable(s):

• Report on Corrective Action Plans.

Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

• Review, in coordination with ICAO LEG/ORG Expert, present primary legislation and specific operating regulations in compliance with ICAO SARPs and review AIG guidance material in reference to ICAO documents and best practices, in order to:
• Identify gaps and discrepancies in the AIG primary legislation.
• Provide briefings and advice to the State officials at decision making level to fill the gaps and resolve any discrepancies identified. Assist the State to achieve an independence from the State in matters relating to aircraft accident incident investigations.
• Draft primary legislation and operating regulations to achieve such independence and submit to ICAO LEG/ORG Expert for converting to the form of legal documents.
• Review existing AIG guidance materials and identify shortcomings. Advice and guide national counterparts to customize if generic guidance materials/templates are available.
• Draft any new guidance materials where necessary and submit for necessary approvals. Develop/Provide, as part of job aids, checklists, forms and circulars as necessary for AIG functions, inclusive of accident and incident reporting.
• Update civil aviation regulations in the area of AIG including SMS/SSP elements in coordination with the ICAO– LEG/ORG Expert and submit the draft updated regulations to the State for promulgation.
• Amend existing Guidance Materials as required and develop new Guidance Material where necessary in the form of Manuals, Procedures, Checklists, Forms and Instructions associated with regulations in the area of AIG and submit to the State for approval and implementation.

Deliverable(s):

• Report with proposed amendment to national AIG Primary Legislation.
• Report with proposed amendment to national AIG Regulations.
• Report with recommendations on the independence of aircraft accident investigation functions from the State.
• Report with proposed new set of Guidance Materials in the form of Manuals, Procedures, Checklists, Forms and Instructions.

Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

Provide guidance and advice on the following, as may be appropriate and practicable within the timeframe of the project:

1. AIG organizational structure:

• Advice on minimum requirements for AIG investigator and support staff, define respective functions and responsibilities with job descriptions.

• Advice on methodology to attract, recruit and retain sufficient number of investigators with appropriate qualifications and experience.

• Advice on possibility of signing Agreements/Arrangements with fully functional foreign aircraft accident investigation organizations.

   2. Programmes to enhance the competence of AIG inspectors: 
  

• Advice on a training programme and plans for AIG investigators and support staff positions.

• Advice on suitable training courses available for investigators in accordance with the training plan.

• Advice on a system for maintaining training records of AIG staff.

Deliverable(s).

• Report with summary of assistance actions provided during the timeframe of the project.

Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

Maintain co-ordination with the ICAO PC and assist the PC as necessary to achieve objectives of the project in the matter of:

• Maintaining a smooth communication channel with the PC, in regards to daily activities and any developments/risks that the PC should know, and seeking advice as necessary.
• Work plan for the project and national counterparts assigned to the project.
• Preparing Monthly Progress Reports (PPR) and Project Terminal Report (PTR).
• Prompt response to correspondence received, related to project activities.
• Participation in project review meetings.

Deliverable(s):

• Assistance for the successful completion of the project.
• AIG portion of the PPR and PTR.

Function 5 (incl. Expected results)

Perform other related duties, as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

Professionalism: 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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.

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.

Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Managerial Competence:

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 improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

University degree in one or more of the major fields of civil aviation or AIG field, or equivalent qualifications and experience in aircraft accident investigation.

Professional experience

Essential

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in an Aircraft Accident Investigation Organization, including at least 5 years’ experience at an investigator.
• Experience, preferably as flight crew or airworthiness/aircraft maintenance engineer. Alternatively, as an air traffic controller or aerodrome maintenance engineer/expert.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices specified in ICAO Annex 13 and other pertinent ICAO Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and relevant ICAO Documents on AIG.
• Experience in the development and application of national AIG legislation and regulations.
• Experience in the establishment of an independent aircraft accident investigation organization.
• Experience in organizing and conducting an aircraft accident investigation or as an accredited representative.
• Experience in the development of Job Descriptions.
• Experience in the development of training plans for aircraft accident investigators.
• Completion of ICAO USOAP CMA Competency-based Training (CBT) in AIG area.
• Experience in dealing with States having shortcomings in AIG.

Languages

Essential

• A good command of oral and written English.

Desirable

• A working knowledge of French or another official language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

It should be noted that this is a prospective position intended for experts interested in consultancy contracts. (short and long term)

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

ICAO CDI consultants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as international civil servants.

ICAO CDI offers an attractive benefit package to its consultants in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

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.