Interim SADC Aviation Safety Organisation (SASO)
Job Vacancy: Interim Executive Director
Background
The aim of SASO, established by SADC Member States through a Charter and organised under the Principle of Subsidiarity, is to promote the safe and efficient use and development of civil aviation within the SADC region. It will accomplish this by assisting SADC Member States in meeting their safety oversight obligations and responsibilities as outlined under the Convention on International Civil Aviation signed in Chicago on 7 December 1944 and its safety-related Annexes and Documents.
Pending the Charter establishing SASO coming into force, Member States agreed to put into place interim arrangements which led to the establishment of Interim SASO and SASO Secretariat. This was achieved through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and SADC Secretariat on behalf of Member States.
To this end Interim SASO Secretariat wishes to recruit a suitably qualified candidate within the SADC Region to fill the following position:
Position: Interim Executive Director of the Interim SASO Secretariat
Main purpose of the job: This position involves the overall management and administration of the functions of the Interim SASO (iSASO) and coordination of the development of civil aviation safety oversight in the SADC Region.
Key result areas - Duties and Responsibilities:
In the following key result areas, the Interim Executive Director shall:
Strategic Management
- Maintain a strategic relationship with the SADC Secretariat which provides overall strategic policy guidance
- Interpret overall SADC strategic objectives in line with SASO mandate
- Implement the decisions of the Ministers responsible for the Civil Aviation
- Develop and implement a robust strategic plan for SASO together with supporting budgets
Implementation of Civil Aviation Safety
Ensure SASO carries out the functions and duties placed upon it in terms of its Charter, including the following:
- Regulating members of SASO and undertaking audits at the request of Ministers or as scheduled in the approved work plan programme for the purpose of assessing compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs)
- Provision and management of technical support to Member States and non-Member States at a fee
- Training various stakeholders within and outside member states
- Ensuring maintenance of statistics pertaining to the CAA of Member States, performance of the region, accident and incident reporting systems and other relevant matters
- Ensuring industry analysis information
Regional Aviation Safety Coordination
- Coordinate the work of the Technical Committees and any Working Group that may be established
- Develop organizational policies, staff services rules and procedures
- Prepare, for consideration by the CAC, an annual work programme of activities
- Ensure exchange of information with the Member States and other relevant agencies
Stakeholders Relations
- Seek and establish strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the Aviation industry
- Act as the representative of SASO and the principal liaison officer between the SASO and its Member States or other stakeholders
- Ensure continual engagement of all stakeholders as necessary
Management of the Secretariat
- Be responsible for the administration of the functions of the SASO and be accountable to the CAC
- Manage SASO on sound business & financial principles in accordance with plans & decisions of CAC
- Serve under the organization’s quality management system as the Accountable Manager
- Control the resources of operations of all the services under the SASO
- Promote a learning organization through planning for change
- Motivate SASO employees by promoting participatory decision making
- Prepare, for consideration by the CAC, a fee structure for services provided to non-Member States
- Ensure the development and maintenance of a website for SASO
Reporting
- Submit quarterly reports to the CAC on the activities of the SASO
- Prepare, at the end of each financial year but no later than 31 March of the following year, an annual report on the performance of the functions of the SASO for submission to CAC
Any Other Duties
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the CAC
Job requirements - Qualifications & Experience
The Interim Executive Director shall possess the following qualifications and experience:
Academic Qualifications
- Relevant degree in Civil Aviation from a recognized institution
- Master’s Degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution
Professional Qualifications
- Business administration qualification
Experience
- 15 years knowledge and experience in civil administration industry or engineering of which 6 years should have been at senior/ executive management in civil aviation industry
Essential Skills OR Knowledge Required to Meet Demands of the Job
- Institution building and management
- Report writing skills
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Ability to motivate others to deliver by setting deadlines
Length of Time to Full Job Effectiveness
6 months
Tenure of Appointment
- The SADC CAC will appoint, renew or terminate employment service of the Interim Executive Director of the SASO through recommendation by the relevant structures
- Notification of extension / termination of the service agreement shall be a period of 6 months before the expiry date;
- A person appointed as the Interim Executive Director shall hold office for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible, upon application for the appointment, for another period of not more than four years (two terms of eight years in total) subject to satisfactory performance.
- The Service Agreement of a person in the position of Interim Executive Director would make provision for transition from iSASO to SASO and thus from Interim Executive Director to Executive Director within the contractual period.
Remuneration
The Interim Executive Director shall receive an all-inclusive package (USD134,436 – 174,708 per annum), grade E2 of the SASO remuneration structure. The remuneration package is negotiable.
Submission of Applications
Applications must be submitted to:
The Acting Interim Executive Director
SADC Aviation Safety Organisation
P.O. Box 7919,
Mbabane,
The Kingdom of Eswatini
ATTENTION: The Acting Interim Executive Director or apply to info@saso.sadc.int
Tel: +268 2404 0660 (office) / +268 7602 5268 (cell)
Your application should accompany the following:
- A short covering letter stating the position that you want to be considered for and describe how your qualifications, experience and competencies are relevant to the position;
- A detailed and updated curriculum vitae;
- Certified copies of your degree(s), Diploma(s) and Certificate(s);
- Candidates who applied and are successful must be ready to start working by 7 June 2021
Should you be shortlisted, you will be required to produce evidence of any educational and professional qualifications supporting your applications on the day of your interview.
Gender Mainstreaming
SASO is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourage applications from female candidates. Candidates should also bear in mind that SASO will consider national representation when implementing this recruitment exercise.
If you are result oriented, you have passion for the transformation and development of Southern Africa, and possess the competencies to meet the new challenges, submit your application now!!!
Only applicants who meet the requirements of the SASO Secretariat and are being considered for interview will be contacted. Should you not be contacted by SASO within ninety (90) days after the closing date, you should consider your application to have been unsuccessful.
