Belgium: Air Operations Cell (AOC) Coordinator

Since 1998 the MSF Air Operations Cell (AOC) provides a series of aviation related services to all MSF Operational Centers. These services include but are not limited to training, operational support, safety advice and administrative and legal support.

Over the last years the total volume of air operations and specifically that of MSF-exclusive air crafts has grown considerably and has become more complex. Recently an evaluation of the capacity, structure and service catalogue of the AOC took place. The evaluation also looked into the interaction between the AOC and the Operational Centers as well as the field. The evaluation next to other things clearly showed the need for improvement of services, alignment of procedures and tooling and embedding of safety culture within the organization. To be able to achieve this dedicated coordination capacity for the AOC is needed.

Main activities & responsabilities

The general objective is to support Operations in MSF with regards to the availability and quality (effectiveness, safety and efficiency) of air movements and air operations in MSF programs. The AOC Coordinator will have to guide the AOC and counterparts within the movement towards the realization of the recommendations of the evaluation.

The Coordinator monitors the impact, quality and availability of services provided and continuously strives to improve this. The Coordinator is expected to take a leading role with issues related to Air Operations, especially regarding safety.

The above includes several aspects:

• To manage a team of specialists and administrative staff who carry out the service catalogue of the AOC,

• To draft Multi-Year and Annual Plans; initially these plans should aim to implement the recommendations of the recent evaluation. In the longer term continuous adjustment to changes in context and services required should be reflected in the plans,

• To define and manage improvement projects,

• To pro-actively engage with the AOC Steering Committee,

• To pro-actively engage with the rest of the movement and external actors to ensure all involved in the deployment, coordination and execution of aviation related activities cooperate in an effective, safe and efficient manner;

• where appropriate or necessary proposals for changes in cross departmental and/or cross OC work flows and Standard Operating Procedures are drafted and negotiated,

• where necessary operations is approached to highlight (immediate) risks related to aviation issues,

• Develop, enforce and maintain a safety culture within MSF,

• Establish relationships and partnerships with organizations inside and outside the humanitarian sector on aviation related topics.

Profile

We are looking for a candidate with the following characteristics:

• A result-driven, pragmatic, dynamic and supportive manager with a ‘can-do’ attitude and excellent problem-solving skills;

• Capable of conceptual and analytical thinking and translating concepts into practice;

• Able to coordinate a team and to negotiate on higher levels throughout the organization;

• Committed to make a demonstrable positive impact to our field operations.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, in addition to people management training courses;

• At least 5 years’ experience in a (middle) management position;

• Knowledge of and experience with service design principles;

• Experience with project and change management;

• Experience in operating in a dynamic, international and political work environment and/or a matrix organization;

• Experience in the Aviation sector required, especially regarding safety culture related topics;

• Experience in the NGO-sector is considered an advantage;

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;

• Excellent command of the English language with active knowledge of French being an asset.

The successful candidate is passionate about the work we do.

Conditions

Starting date: late summer 2016

Contract: one year contract as a start; position expected permanent as per the end of 2017

Work time: Full time

Location: Bordeaux preferred; Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona or Geneva possible

Travel: willingness to travel up to 50% of the time

Salary: annual gross salary and benefits will be based on the salary grid of the hosting entity, with a Head of Service level salary.

Please send your application (motivation letter and CV) with quoting reference « 2016-19 AOC Coordinator » until 22th August 2016 at

MSF Logistique – Service recrutement

E-mail : recrutement@bordeaux.msf.org