Regional Director, Middle East (MID) Regional Office

Org. Setting and ReportingThe Middle East (MID) Regional Office is primarily responsible for maintaining continuous liaison with the States to which it is accredited and with appropriate organizations, regional civil aviation bodies and sub-regional bodies and UN Agencies and programmes operating in the Region. The Regional Office ensures interregional coordination and promotes the timely and harmonized implementation of ICAO Strategic Goals, policies and decisions, within the context of Global and Regional Plans. The Regional Office also provides technical guidance and assists States with implementation of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The Regional Director serves as the Representative of the Secretary General to States to which the Regional Office is accredited; develops and leads the implementation of the work programme for the Regional Office, in coordination with Bureaus/Offices at Headquarters; provides technical advice and assistance to States on the development and implementation of Regional planning framework for all the Strategic Goals of the Organization – namely, (i) Every Flight is Safe and Secure; (ii) Aviation is Environmentally Sustainable; (iii) Aviation Delivers Seamless, Accessible, and Reliable Mobility for All; (iv) No Country Left Behind; (v) The International Civil Aviation Convention and Other Treaties, Laws and Regulations Address All Challenges; (vi) The Economic Development of Air Transport Assures the Delivery of Economic Prosperity and Societal Well-Being for All – and coordinates the delivery of ICAO programme activities within the Region in collaboration with States, and regional and sub-regional groups. The Regional Director is responsible for the promotion and follow-up of implementation support activities in the Region. The Regional Director leads the programme team, inspiring it to translate the regional and country goals into locally adapted solutions and results in line with the overall global plans, strategies and objectives of the Organization. ResponsibilitiesFunction 1 (incl. Expected results) Serves as Representative of the Secretary General within the Region, achieving results such as: • Promote ICAO’s views and interests and ensure the successful implementation of the Organization’s mandate and objectives within the Region. • Actively lead regional initiatives and promote, coordinate and oversee regional implementation support projects aimed at supporting a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation system. • Act as secretary to regional group meetings; and coordinate regional programmes dealing with ICAO´s Six Strategic Goals and related initiatives • Participate in high-level meetings on civil aviation and other matters relevant to the MID Regional Office, delivering high-profile messages on behalf of ICAO and engaging with stakeholders to advance the ICAO Strategic Goals. • Coordinate and follow up on visits to States by the Secretary General and/or President of the ICAO Council, and provide advice and comprehensive briefing notes, including matters for discussion, expected outcomes, and other supporting information. Function 2 (incl. Expected results) Supports the implementation of the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP), Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP), ICAO Environmental Programme, and the “No Country Left Behind” Strategic Goal, achieving results such as: • Provide strategic advice and assistance to high level authorities in Member States in the implementation of global aviation safety, security, and air navigation capacity and efficiency plans, giving high priority to those States with Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs), Significant Security Concerns (SSeCs) or other critical deficiencies. • Support States in the implementation of Long-term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, including the development and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and other cleaner energies and the access to financing through Finvest Hub, as well as in the implementation of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). • Develop tailored State-specific ICAO Plans of Action in relation to aviation safety, aviation security and facilitation, and environment-related issues, and monitor and follow up on their implementation by States. • Communicate, collaborate and coordinate with other partners providing support to implementation in the Region, through diplomacy, technological tools and other mechanisms to enhance visibility and foster active engagement from a wide range of stakeholders. • Support States in the implementation of ICAO SARPs; coordinate required assistance for States, including related training activities, in coordination with the Global Aviation Training (GAT) Section under the Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau. • Collaborate with Bureaus at Headquarters on the execution of activities related to aviation safety, air navigation, and aviation security and facilitation, at the regional and national levels, including the identification and implementation of new products and projects in support of the “No Country Left Behind” Strategic Goal and the ICAO Policy on Implementation Support provided to States. Function 3 (incl. Expected results) Provides strategic policy advice and guidance on ICAO programmes in the Region and in support of ICAO Headquarters, achieving results such as: • Formulate and present strategic recommendations to address the technical needs of States in the Region, to progressively improve their safety, air navigation, and aviation security systems. • Coordinate oversight of continuous monitoring activities in the Region and implementation support planning and evaluation missions. • Deliver expert contributions to enhance governance of the civil aviation regulators, policy development and evaluation of programme activities. • Provide timely inputs on the Regional Office perspective about ICAO´s policies, plans, guidance, administrative instructions and other provisions, as required. Function 4 (incl. Expected results) Fosters partnerships and resource mobilization within the Region, achieving results such as: • Establish and maintain productive interaction with representatives of States, donors, other international organizations and interested parties. • Design and implement partnership and resource mobilization plans. • Support capacity building initiatives and cooperate closely with regional civil aviation bodies to ensure sustainable development of the air transport system. • Assess the need and develop proposals for regional meetings in consultation with States and Headquarters, as appropriate. • Identify prospects and lead initiatives for strategic networking with other donors, lenders, research institutions, regional bodies, international organizations and policy makers. Function 5 (incl. Expected results) Plans and develops the Regional Office’s work programme and directs its implementation, achieving results such as: • Ensure that the functions and work programme of the Regional Office are performed efficiently and in line with the Strategic Goals and the Business Plans of the Organization. • Lead Regional Office engagement with all relevant ICAO Organizational Efficiency projects, and ensure the effective and timely implementation of each project within the Regional Office environment as required. • Support the ongoing initiatives and High Priority Enablers in areas such as Organizational Efficiency, Gender Equality and Talent Development, Innovation, Partnerships and Financial Sustainability in the regional context. • Ensure regular review and update of regional plans and programmes. • Adjust/adapt programmes and approaches to accommodate evolving regional circumstances of critical importance. • Provide direction and guidance to a team of professional, technical and support staff. • Manage staff performance and well-being, and ensure that activities and programme delivery are efficiently and effectively delivered and consistent with ICAO policy, quality and relevance. • Promote a harmonious and ethical workplace based on mutual respect, leading by example, and ensure that staff are familiar with, trained on, and comply with the ICAO’s principles and values and standard of conduct. Function 6 (incl. Expected results) Performs other related duties, as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of ICAO’s work aimed at enhancing global civil aviation safety, increasing capacity and improving efficiency of the global civil aviation system. Understanding of ICAO’s Strategic Objectives, and its global and regional aviation plans. Familiarity with the Convention on International Civil Aviation and its Annexes, ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and their application. Good knowledge of civil aviation activities in the areas of accreditation of the Regional Office, and of the work of other related international organizations, regional and sub-regional bodies and groupings of States. Demonstrated ability to deal with complex issues with diplomacy and tact; ability to lead in a fast-changing environment, and setting an example. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the 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. Accountability: Takes ownership for 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. 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. Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately. Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them. 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. EducationEssential: • An advanced level university degree (Master’s Degree or academic equivalent) in an aviation-related field, including scientific or technical discipline, management, administration, economics, law or a related area. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceEssential: • A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in aviation safety, air navigation, air transport or related area, is required. • Managerial experience at the senior executive level in a public, private or international civil aviation organization, is required. • Experience at the international level or dealing with aviation matters crossing national boundaries, including high-level negotiation with government authorities, is required. • Experience in dealing with civil aviation activities in the Region, is required. • Experience with corporate performance management in the public or private sector, is required. • Proven experience in leading and guiding a multidisciplinary team, with a diverse range of aviation specialities, to achieve organizational goals, is required. Desirable: • Experience in managing aviation safety or air navigation programmes/projects within an international or regional organization, national government, or major service provider (airport, airline or air navigation services provider), is desirable. • Experience in managing or coordinating technical assistance, capacity development and implementation of activities related to aviation safety, air navigation or aviation security, is desirable. • Experience in management of international/multinational projects, and experience in conducting negotiations at the international level and in organizing and leading international meetings, is desirable. • Experience in public speaking and media engagement, is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).