Job Description

The Organizational Setting

Under the ICAO Capacity Development and Implementation Directorate (CDI), the Operations Section (FOS) is responsible for the strategic planning, development, execution, and evaluation of projects. FOS supports the identification of priority development needs in the civil aviation sector and offers technical cooperation to recipient States. FOS executes projects in accordance with ICAO/CDI policies and contractual modalities.

ICAO/CDI is supporting the Government of the Republic of Armenia in the institutional reform of the Civil Aviation Committee (CAC), as established in Project Document ARM24802. This project is implemented under the Management Service Agreement (MSA) signed between ICAO and the Government of Armenia on 8 March 2024.

Within this framework, the project provides structured technical assistance to transform the current CAC from a government department operating within civil service constraints into an autonomous, technically competent, and financially sustainable authority fully capable of fulfilling its safety oversight mandate in accordance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

In addition, this project aims to support the necessary institutional reforms to increase effectiveness, sustainability, and independence of the AASIID.

TECHNIAL CONTEXT

Armenia's civil aviation sector is currently regulated by the Civil Aviation Committee (CAC), a government body operating within the State civil service framework. The CAC faces structural challenges that constrain its effectiveness as a safety oversight body: it operates under civil service HR frameworks that limit its ability to attract and retain qualified technical specialists; it is dependent on the state budget with limited cost-recovery mechanisms; and its primary legislation and regulatory framework require updating to align with applicable ICAO SARPs.

ICAO's Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) findings have identified gaps in Armenia's safety oversight capabilities that can only be sustainably resolved through fundamental institutional reform. The Government of Armenia, in cooperation with ICAO, has committed to transforming the CAC into an autonomous CAC capable of fulfilling its safety oversight mandate on a sustainable basis and to increase effectiveness, sustainability, and independence of the AASIID.

Project ARM24802 supports this transformation through three integrated reform pillars: (i) Institutional and Legislative Reform — establishing the legal, regulatory, and governance framework for an autonomous CAC and independent AASIID; (ii) Organizational, Administrative and Functional Review — restructuring the institution's organization, processes, and manuals; and (iii) Sustainable Financing and Human Resources Framework — establishing cost-recovery mechanisms and a competitive HR framework to attract and retain qualified staff.

Major duties and Responsibilities

In general terms, the activities contemplated in Project ARM24802 in which all team members will contribute include the following:

1. Diagnostic Phase: Assessment of the current CAC's and AASIID’s legal, institutional, organizational, financial, and HR frameworks; review of USOAP findings and national legislative context.
2. Reform Design Phase: Development of reform recommendations, legislative drafts, organizational models, financial frameworks, and HR policies aligned with ICAO SARPs, related guidance and best practices. as applicable.
3. Implementation Support Phase: Technical assistance to CAC and AASIID in implementing approved reforms, including staff capacity building and stakeholder engagement.

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

• Assess the current legal, institutional, and operational arrangements for accident and serious incident investigation in Armenia, including independence from the CAC and other operational stakeholders, in line with ICAO Annex 13.
• Develop recommendations for the establishment of an effective, independent and sustainable AASIID , including its mandate, governance structure, reporting lines, and functional, structural and financial independence .
• Design the organizational set-up for the AASIID, to cover all investigation related policies, as well as investigator qualification and experience requirements, and the necessary equipment, in accordance with ICAO Annex 13, related guidance material and best practices, as applicable.
• Advise on development of the necessary investigation related policies and procedures in accordance with ICAO Annex 13, related guidance material and best practices, as applicable.
• Advise on inter-agency coordination arrangements between the AASIID, the CAC, judicial and police authorities, and other government bodies involved in accident and serious incident response.
• Develop a training and capacity-building programme for AASIID investigators and management staff.

Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

• Perform duties under the coordination of the Project Coordinator to the best of their ability to achieve the project objectives.
• When necessary, contribute to the review and harmonization of sections developed by other members of the expert team.
• Compile the necessary documentation to carry out the work.
• Prepare meetings and field visits appropriately, including preparing lists of stakeholders to be consulted, questionnaires, and corresponding visit and meeting reports.
• Participate in coordination meetings organized by the ICAO CDI and EUR/NAT Responsible Officers and the National Project Coordinator.
• Ensure that ICAO's safety, security, and sustainability considerations applicable to the various work areas are incorporated into all deliverables.
• Participate, under the direction of the CAC Management Expert/Project Coordinator, in the development of a detailed work plan with delivery dates and responsibilities for each team member.
• Contribute to the preparation of monthly project monitoring reports submitted to the ICAO CDI and EUR/NAT Responsible Officers and the National Project Coordinator.
• Contribute to the review and integration of all reports and documents into final deliverables.
• Prepare presentations for project progress briefings to the Government of Armenia, ICAO, and other stakeholders.

Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

• Conduct an assessment of Armenia's current accident and serious incident investigation arrangements.
• Design proposals to establishment of an effective, independent and sustainable AASIID: functions, decision-making processes, reporting lines, and accountability arrangements.
• Advise on development of the necessary investigation related policies and procedures in accordance with ICAO Annex 13, related guidance material and best practices, as applicable.
• Develop a training and capacity-building plan for AASIID investigators and management staff, identifying training needs and suitable delivery mechanisms.
• Coordinate through Project coordinator with other experts on the legislative basis for AASIID independence, AASIID financing mechanisms, HR functionalities and on inter-agency arrangements between the AASIID, the CAC, and other government bodies.

Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Impact of The Outcome of the Position

The general objective of the work to be carried out by each Expert is to contribute, as part of the team and under the direction of the CAC Management Expert/Project Coordinator (Expert 4), to the institutional transformation of the current CAC into a structurally autonomous, technically capable, and financially sustainable authority and strengthening the effectiveness, sustainability, and independence of the AASIID, in accordance with the objectives of Project ARM24802.

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.
• Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications and Experience

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.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

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.

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.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Aviation Operations, Aviation Safety, or a closely related aviation field. Specialized training in aircraft accident investigation (e.g., Cranfield, USC, NTSB Academy, Southern California Safety Institute) or ICAO Annex 13 methodology is required.

Professional experience

Minimum 15 years of professional experience in civil aviation, with a specific focus on aircraft accident and serious incident investigation.

• Demonstrated experience leading or advising on the establishment, reform, or operation of national accident investigation authorities.
• Deep knowledge of ICAO Annex 13 and Doc 9756 (Manual of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation), and familiarity with related Annexes (6, 8, 11, 14).
• Experience designing investigation procedures, evidence-handling protocols, and reporting frameworks for national accident investigation authorities.
• Demonstrated experience conducting or supervising aircraft accident and serious incident investigations and preparing final reports with safety recommendations.
• Experience supporting capacity building or institutional development for nascent or transitioning accident investigation authorities.
• Knowledge of the aviation regulatory environment in CIS/Eastern European States is desirable.

Languages

Strong command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of Russian or Armenian is a significant asset.

Conditions of Employment

It should be noted that this is a 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).

Remuneration

Special Service Agreement (SSA) daily Fee of 500 USD per day worked plus DSA and Airfare when on mission.

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.