Aviation Safety and Environment Quality Expert

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is seeking a senior expert to govern quality, integrity, and effectiveness of aviation‑safety and environmental management systems across the Sector. The role leads QA frameworks, audits, and strategic advisory support to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities include overseeing internal audits, validating SMS effectiveness, and ensuring compliance with ICAO Annex 19 and local regulations. Strong data‑driven decision making and resilience are essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Aviation Safety or Quality Management (advantage)
• Postgraduate specialization in SMS, Organizational Excellence, or governance (advantage)
• ICAO SMS Advanced Certification and ISO 9001 Lead Auditor (advantage)
• ISO 14001 Environmental Mgmt Certification (advantage)

Responsibilities

• Lead design and continuous improvement of quality‑assurance frameworks across the Sector.
• Ensure alignment with ICAO, ISO and Dubai Government quality standards.
• Provide strategic advisory support to the Executive Director on quality and safety.
• Coordinate internal and external communications and executive engagements.
• Identify obstacles and recommend high‑quality solutions across Sector units.
• Oversee the Sector’s SMS/framework and audit program for hazards and risk.
• Lead internal audits and ensure timely closure of audit findings.
• Prepare the annual integrated safety and environmental‑quality report.

Skills

Quality Assurance

SMS (Safety Mgmt Systems)

Aviation Regulation

Education

Masters in Aviation Safety

Postgrad in SMS/Governance

Job description

Role Purpose:

To serve as the Authority’s senior expert responsible for governing the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of all aviation‑safety and environmental‑management systems across the Sector. The role ensures that administrative, operational, and technical processes meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance, safety performance, environmental stewardship, and institutional excellence.

The position leads quality‑assurance frameworks, oversees internal audits, validates safety‑management effectiveness, and provides strategic advisory support to the Executive Director. It plays a pivotal role in strengthening Dubai’s aviation‑safety ecosystem through data‑driven decision‑making, continuous improvement, and institutional resilience.

Key Responsibilities/Duties:

1. 1. Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of quality‑assurance frameworks for all administrative, operational, and technical functions within the Sector.
2. 2. Ensure alignment with ICAO, ISO, and Dubai Government quality‑management standards.
3. 3. Provide strategic advisory support to the Executive Director on quality, safety, and environmental performance.
4. 4. Coordinate all internal and external communications, committee meetings, and executive‑level engagements.
5. 5. Identify administrative and technical obstacles across Sector units and recommend innovative, high‑quality solutions.
6. 6. Promote institutional excellence and operational efficiency.
7. 7. Review the Sector’s SMS framework and validate the effectiveness of safety reports, risk‑management processes, and hazard‑identification systems.
8. 8. Ensure alignment with ICAO Annex 19 and Dubai’s aviation‑safety legislation.
9. 9. Lead internal audit programs, ensuring compliance with sectoral policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
10. 10. Oversee closure of audit findings within defined timelines.
11. 11. Monitor change‑management initiatives and assess their impact on safety‑system performance and organizational resilience.
12. 12. Lead the preparation of the Sector’s annual integrated safety and environmental‑quality report, including risk levels, compliance status, and performance indicators.
13. 13. Oversee performance indicators, analyse sector‑wide data, and issue periodic reports to leadership.
14. 14. Ensure the accuracy and integrity of the Sector’s quality‑assurance database.
15. 15. Coordinate with regulatory bodies, external partners, and internal units to strengthen safety culture and continuous improvement.
16. 16. Develop and update quality‑assurance manuals, procedures, and templates.
17. 17. Recommend improvement initiatives and strategic programs for the Office.
18. 18. Prepare and implement the Office’s operational plan in alignment with the Authority’s strategic plan.
19. 19. Perform any additional mapping‑related tasks assigned by the Director or Executive Director

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher qualification in Aviation Safety, Quality Management, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related discipline is an additional advantage.
• Postgraduate specialization in Quality Assurance, Safety Management Systems (SMS), Organizational Excellence, or a related governance discipline is considered an advantage.

Certifications:

• ICAO Safety Management Systems (SMS) Advanced Certification.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor or Quality Management Certification.
• Internal Audit Certification (ISO 19011).
• Environmental Management Certification (ISO 14001) (advantage).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) (advantage).

Professional Experience:

• Minimum 14+ years of progressive experience in aviation Quality Assurance, Safety Management Systems (SMS), regulatory oversight.
• Proven experience leading internal audits, quality assurance reviews, regulatory inspections, and safety system evaluations in accordance with applicable aviation standards and oversight frameworks>
• Demonstrated capability in preparing executive-level reports, briefing materials, and strategic advisory notes for senior leadership and oversight committees.
• Extensive experience coordinating with national and international regulatory authorities, oversight entities, and external auditors, ensuring compliance and timely closure of findings.
• Practical experience in designing and enhancing quality frameworks, governance procedures, continuous improvement programs, and corrective action monitoring mechanisms.