Air Operations Assistant (Aviation Fire Marshall)

The Air Operations Assistant (Aviation Fire Marshal) is responsible for planning, coordinating, supervising, and monitoring aviation firefighting and rescue services to ensure safe aviation operations throughout the Mission area. The role ensures operational readiness and compliance with UN and ICAO aviation firefighting standards and supports emergency response and safety management at MINURSO airfields and landing sites.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) operations at MINURSO operational airfields, helipads, and temporary landing sites.
• Assist with the coordination of reliable, cost effective and efficient emergency crash and rescue (ECR) support including ground handling support to MINURSO air operations.
• Maintain an effective and fully operational aviation firefighting capability throughout the Mission.
• Verify that airfields/air terminals and landing sites are equipped for UN air operations in accordance with DFS Aviation Manual and UN AVSTADS requirements with emphasis on ECR equipment.
• Conduct regular inspections of firefighting facilities and equipment to ensure serviceability and compliance with applicable standards.
• Ensure continuous operational readiness of firefighting vehicles, rescue equipment, firefighting agents, communication systems, and personal protective equipment.
• Assist in the development, revision, and implementation of aviation firefighting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and contingency procedures.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct emergency response exercises, aircraft accident simulations, and live firefighting drills involving aviation personnel and other Mission stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance on aircraft rescue, firefighting techniques, aviation fuel fire hazards, hazardous materials (HAZMAT), and aircraft incident management.
• Conduct fire safety inspections and fire risk assessments of aviation facilities, fuel storage installations, and operational sites.
• Assist with development of technical specifications for ECR goods and services and provide inputs to bids and technical evaluations to ensure vendor proposals meet technical requirements.
• Monitor that appropriate ECR reference documents are current, readily available and accessible to all aircrew members and aviation personnel.
• Provide inputs in the development of standard operating procedures for related aviation processes.
• Provide inputs in the development of budget proposals for the mission's ECR requirements.
• Provide inputs for preparation of operational plans, performance reports, and responses to internal and external audit observations.
• Assist with coordination of routine, special, and military operational flights in accordance with SOPs, UN directives, DFS Aviation Manual, UN AVSTADS, UN Aviation Safety Manual, ICAO standards, and host country Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs).
• Assist with coordination of integrated search and rescue operations for UN air assets and other aircraft upon request.
• Assist with coordination of diplomatic over flight/landing clearances, ground handling support, and hotel accommodation/meal/transportation arrangements for aircrews.
• Assist in conducting internal audits per approved Internal Audit Program and Plan.
• Assist in conducting random checks and inspections of civilian air operators.
• Maintain records of inspections, equipment maintenance, emergency drills, and operational readiness.
• Advise Chief Aviation Officer or Chief Technical Compliance on improvements to aviation emergency response capability and fire safety programmes.
• Perform any other operational or administrative delegated duties as required.

Requirements

• High school diploma is required.
• A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in air transport Emergency Crash and Rescue (ECR) operations, including active participation in aviation rescue operations or related aviation safety experience, and Fighting Authority is required.
• Experience in firefighting techniques, firefighting vehicles, conducting aviation emergency exercises and managing firefighting equipment and resources is required.
• Experience in Aviation firefighting (rotary-wing and fixed-wing) aircraft operations is required.
• Experience in at least two of the following fields directly related to: air transport operations or airfields management or Quality Assurance or Resources management or contract management for air transport services is highly desirable.
• Experience in the use of ICAO standards and recommended practices is desirable.
• Previous experience in United Nations peacekeeping operations or other international organizations and working in remote, austere, desert, or conflict affected environments is desirable.
• A vocational training certificate in Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, or crash Fire rescue, or Aviation Emergency Crash and Rescue from a Fire Brigade or Training Centre or National Fire is required.
• Training in Aviation safety and quality management is desirable.
• Training as an aviation internal auditor is desirable.
• Training as a Fire Fighter vehicle operator in fire and rescue, dangerous goods and basic first aid is desirable.
• Training and certification as a Commercial Pilot, or a Flight Operations Officer/Flight Dispatcher, or an Aircraft Maintenance Technician, or a Ground Operations Officer, or an equivalent military qualification is desirable.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of French language is desirable.

Skills

• Emergency Crash and Rescue operations
• Aviation firefighting
• Firefighting techniques
• Firefighting vehicles operation
• Aviation emergency exercises
• Firefighting equipment management
• Air Transport Operations
• Airfields management
• Quality Assurance
• Resource Management
• Contract management for air transport services
• ICAO Standards Compliance
• Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting certification
• Aviation Safety Management
• Aviation Internal Auditing
• Firefighter vehicle operation
• Dangerous Goods Transportation
• First aid basics
• Commercial Pilot Certification
• Flight Operations Officer skills
• Aircraft Maintenance Technician skills
• Ground Operations Officer skills

Languages

English, French