Chief, Operations Section

UNDP•Montreal, QC

13h

About The Position

The Capacity Development and Implementation (CDI) Bureau supports ICAO's six strategic goals, including 'No Country Left Behind.' It provides needs-based implementation support to States through projects and innovative products and services, manages revenue-generating activities, and oversees budgeting, reporting, quality, and risk management. The Bureau also leads ICAO's aviation training through the Global Aviation Training Section and manages project implementation across ICAO Regions. The Operations Section (OS) develops and delivers products and services under the Capacity Development and Implementation Programme (CDIP) and complementary CDI solutions. It comprises four functional areas: Product Design and Development, Field Operations Services, Implementation Services, and Service Delivery. These functions support the implementation of policies, SARPs, and global and regional plans, assisting States, particularly in developing countries, in meeting their capacity development and implementation needs. As Chief of the Operations Section, the incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling operations. This role maximizes efficiency in resource utilization through a demand-driven approach and ensures that the development and delivery of capacity development and implementation support solutions meet stakeholder needs and expectations. The incumbent designs and plans the Section's activities in alignment with the CDI Operating Plan, ICAO’s Triennial Business Plan, and the ICAO Strategic Plan 2026-2050. The position reports directly to the Deputy Director, CDI. The incumbent supervises all staff of the Section, as well as consultants, and is directly responsible for their actions, decisions, and the quality of services delivered. Supervisory responsibilities include technical supervision, coaching, training, performance evaluation, task delegation, and priority setting.

Requirements

An advanced-level university degree (e.g. Masters’ degree or academic equivalent) in aviation, business administration, engineering or related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience in aviation, business administration, engineering or related field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible, in-depth managerial experience to plan, develop and manage administrative programmes and products/services in the field of civil aviation in multicultural environments.
Five (5) years of experience in aviation-related matters at the international or regional level.
Experience in participating in strategic and business planning, and in developing strategic and operational plans.
Experience in developing and implementing product and geographical diversification strategies.
Experience in dealing with international financial institutions.
Experience in dealing with State Representatives as well as governmental and non-governmental entities.
Experience in using contemporary systems related to: enterprise resource planning, programme/project management, and customer relationship management.
Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English.

Nice To Haves

Project Management Certification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP).
Work experience in the United Nations Common System and/or an International Organization.
Experience in transformational initiatives enhancing people, processes, and tools.
Experience in results-based management.
Experience in business development activities.
Experience in product/services portfolio management.
Experience working with business intelligence tools.
Experience working with Quality Management Systems.
A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

Responsibilities

Provides strategic direction, leadership, and advocacy to expand and strengthen the Bureau’s programmes and products/services.
Leads the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the Section’s annual operational plan, ensuring alignment with the CDI Operating Plan and organizational priorities.
Proposes new or revised operational policies and approaches to CDI senior management in response to evolving business needs and market trends.
Leads the design, development, enhancement, and implementation of products and services assigned to the Section.
Identifies and promotes opportunities to expand the CDIP and ICAO portfolio of products/services, including new service lines and implementation modalities.
Provides authoritative advice to Bureau management on operational strategy, programme evolution, and growth opportunities.
Represents the Bureau, under the authority of senior management, in international forums, Headquarters meetings, and Regional Office engagements to advance operational objectives.
Provides advice in the negotiation of agreements and project documents with Member States, organizations, and partners, as required.
Promotes ICAO’s portfolio of products/services and strengthens stakeholder confidence in programme delivery.
Ensures effective management, supervision, and performance of Field Operations Services and related operational units.
Supervises Heads of Operational Units and ensures appropriate distribution of workload and prioritization of activities.
Ensures implementation of geographical diversification strategies to increase the global footprint of the CDIP.
Fosters enhanced collaboration and coordination with Regional Offices to identify new opportunities across all ICAO Regions.
Monitors the business development pipeline, ensuring effective transition of new opportunities under the gated process.
Oversees operational decision-making, including resolution of escalated issues.
Monitors operational performance and ensures achievement of established objectives, targets, and service standards.
Provides oversight of the development and lifecycle management of data products, technical support products, training initiatives, and social dimension programmes.
Drives the strategic alignment of product design and associated investment with operational and stakeholder needs.
Coordinates the design and development of data products, ensuring optimal user experience and reliability, as well as meeting the highest standards of data privacy and security.
Oversees the development of technical requirements and specifications for the procurement of goods and services, as well as for the provision of quality assurance during implementation of ICAO solutions.
Guides new course development and implementation of the ICAO Training Policy within the training portfolio of products/services.
Ensures effective development and implementation of social dimension programmes, including Next Generation of Aviation Professionals, Global Ambassadors Programme, Gender Equality Programme, and Global Aviation Education Plan.
Facilitates coordination between product development, field implementation requirements, and service delivery capabilities.
Ensures effective integration of implementation planning and support and partnership activities.
Oversees planning and coordination of implementation support activities, ensuring alignment with regional priorities and State capacities in support of No Country Left Behind and ICAO Strategic Goals.
Ensures implementation support is delivered in accordance with timelines, budgets, and quality standards by fostering the usage of harmonized project management methodologies and tools.
Leads the establishment of strategic partnerships with Member States, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to expand implementation support globally and advance the achievement of ICAO Strategic Goals and ICAO Business Plan priorities.
Liaises with Member States to provide guidance and support in identifying potential funding sources for implementation support, in coordination with the resource mobilization function.
Strengthens collaboration between operational areas responsible for implementation support, planning, and partnership development.
Ensures efficient and transparent delivery of expert sourcing and post-contract procurement implementation services.
Ensures recruitment and contract administration of aviation experts supporting capacity development and implementation support engagements is conducted in a timely and effective manner by fostering the consistent use of tools and processes in alignment with Field Personnel policies, rules, and regulations.
Plans and guides the review and enhancement of Field Personnel policies and procedures.
Oversees the periodic update of the ICAO roster of experts ensuring currency, quality, and breadth of expertise.
Fosters collaboration with internal and external partners to secure technical expertise needed for successful delivery of ICAO solutions.
Oversees implementation of contracts for procurement of various goods/services signed on behalf of Member States and other stakeholders facilitating achievement of economies of scale.
Facilitates effective monitoring of contractor performance and acceptance of deliverables through the consistent use of project management methodologies and tools.
Monitors service delivery performance and promotes efficiency improvements.
Ensures adherence to governance, risk management, and quality assurance frameworks and standards.
Ensures activities under the Section’s purview are conducted in full adherence to ICAO regulations, rules, and policies.
Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) across all operational pillars and ensures performance accountability.
Coordinates timely and accurate preparation of reports, statistical analyses, and briefing material for CDI management and Governing Bodies, as required.
Oversees implementation of corrective actions related to internal and external audits (e.g., Office of Internal Oversight (OIO), Evaluation and Audit Advisory Committee (EAAC), UN Joint Inspection Unit (JIU)).
Ensures operational activities are aligned with CDI Quality Management System processes and procedures.
Leads the systematic identification and management of operational risks ensuring alignment with the CDI risk register and organizational risk management frameworks.
Leads, supervises, and manages the work and staff of the Operations Section.
Directly supervises Product Design and Development, Field Operations, Implementation Services, and Service Delivery.
Establishes clear objectives and ensures completion of performance management (PACE) processes.
Promotes a culture of accountability, client orientation, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Ensures systematic application of lessons learned and best practices within the Section.
Ensures timely preparation and approval of operational input for Working Papers, reports, briefing notes, presentations, and documentation for Governing Bodies and senior management.
Recommends staffing levels and organizational adjustments to support operational growth and efficiency.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.