The posting
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
22 November 2026-23:59-GMT+02:00 Central Africa Time (Maputo)
WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.
At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP?
- WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
- WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
- WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
- A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
- We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
JOB TITLE: Chief, Air Transport Officer
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Int. Reg. Consultant
UNIT/DIVISION: Aviation Service (SCDA) / Supply Chain & Delivery
DUTY STATION: Pemba, Mozambique
DURATION: 11 months
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
1.1 In the performance of his/her function, the Chief Air Transport Officer (CATO):
a. Reports to the Country Director and technically to the Chief SCDA
b. Advises WFP Country Directors, Regional Directors and the Heads of “Client Agencies” on matters pertaining to aircraft operations; and c. Liaises with regional and country aviation authorities and agencies, AOC holders and
other HAS Air Transport Officers.
1.2 Administratively, the CATO reports to the CD if deployed in the same base, otherwise to the Head of Area Office of the host CO/AO who provides the logistics and management support services.
1.3 The incumbent will cover the position of Chief Air Transport Officer (CATO) according to the current structure and with the accountabilities and responsibilities.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Key tasks and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Country Director and the technical Supervision of the Chief, Aviation Service, and within delegated authority, the Chief, Air Transport Officer – UNHAS Mozambique will be responsible for the following tasks:
a. Participate in the development of standard aviation operating procedures within the field or contribute towards global aviation policies and tools for use across WFP, ensuring that aviation objectives are accomplished in compliance with WFP, UN AVSTADS, ICAO, and SARP standards.
b. Provide technical advice, guidance, and support to operations in the field or manage all activities and resources relating to specific WFP Aviation and/or UNHAS operations of moderate complexity ensuring the availability of safe, efficient, and cost-effective aviation services to the humanitarian community.
c. Hold accountability for the safety and security of aviation operations within the area of assignment ensuring that all required security measures, systems, and programs are in place.
d. Sustain strategic partnerships with key entities such as governments, NGOs, private sector organizations and UN agencies to facilitate coordinated and sustainable services e.g. uninterrupted humanitarian access to remote locations and readily available assets for emergency interventions.
e. Maintain productive relationships with regional and country directors and WFP partners within own transportation modality/region (e.g. user agencies counterparts, regional aviation safety officers) to support effective negotiation of air operations tariffs, charges and taxes and provide a
coordinated service to aviation customers within the region.
f. Lead and motivate an aviation team, providing coaching, training and guidance as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.
g. Build and strengthen the capacity of WFP staff, civil aviation authorities, user agencies and other humanitarian aviation service providers to encourage safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
h. Oversee and prepare accurate and timely accounting, data analysis and reporting, to contribute to a WFP wide view of aviation activities, enabling informed decision making and detailed reporting to donor representatives.
i. Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitoring the management of specific aviation risks to enable WFP to quickly provide passenger services, relief supplies and emergency medical and security evacuations to humanitarian actors in relief operations and at the onset of a crisis.
j. Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
k. Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance and other Common Logistics Services needs in Mozambique and neighboring countries.
l. Other as required.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
a. Have established good relationships and proactive coordination with Donors/UNHAS stakeholders’ Focal Persons and timely preparation of end reports.
b. Have established good relationships and proactive coordination with UNHAS Team to the Annual Performance Plan, SCOA quarterly/annual reports, CO meetings and supporting UNHAS field outstations.
c. Have provided good coordination mechanisms and customer care to all UNHAS passengers, and crew and keep the base as per aviation standards and requirements, with proper filed and documented performance reports.
d. Have performed his/her activities and daily flight dispatch activities in accordance with the guidance from the Chief Aviation Service, UNHAS SOAP and WFP Aviation Service ATM.
e. Have performed the following tasks at satisfactory level according to his/her supervisor through the PACE.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Advanced University degree in Aeronautics, Aviation Engineering, Aviation Maintenance Engineering, Airport Management or other relevant field; OR Aviation Military officers’ professional career (including degree) as pilot or navigator pilot; OR First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience AND in possession of one of the following Aviation licenses: Commercial Pilot License, Air Traffic Control License, Flight Operations Officer or Flight Dispatcher Officer License.
Experience:
a. In addition, the core and functional capabilities required by standard Aviation Officer job profile, the incumbent should possess good organisation and coordination skills.
b. Experience in commercial aviation with a specific focus in humanitarian air operations/food aid or experience in UN peacekeeping aviation operations.
c. Experience liaising with country authorities to facilitate air operations.
d. Experience establishing methodologies for risk analysis and problem solving.
Qualifications
a. Advanced University degree in Aeronautics, Aviation Engineering, Aviation Maintenance Engineering, Airport Management or other relevant field; OR Aviation Military officers’ professional career (including degree) as pilot or navigator pilot; OR First University degree with additional years of relevant work experience AND in possession of one of the following Aviation licenses: Commercial Pilot License, Air Traffic Control License, Flight Operations Officer or Flight Dispatcher Officer License.
b. Have had a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the aviation industry; and
c. Have held a supervisory or management position in air operations and has successfully completed an Aviation Safety Management course or equivalent.
Knowledge & Skills:
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office programmes and other related tools.
• Knowledge in humanitarian aviation activities and/or WFP field operations is desirable.
Other desirable skills
a) Experience managing the risk preparedness process including aviation risk identification and analysis.
b) Experience fostering strategic alliances for WFP.
Languages: Fluent in English Language (Level C) and a second UN language as per WFP requirements.
WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK
WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.
Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [email protected]
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.
- We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
- If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.
- At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
