Specialist - Foreign Operators Affairs

The General Civil Aviation Authority; Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aviation regulatory body in Dubai seeks a professional for oversight of foreign operators, ensuring compliance with safety standards within the UAE. Key responsibilities include conducting and planning SAFA Ramp Checks, implementing safety policies, and overseeing audits. Ideal candidates should possess a degree in Aviation Management and have strong experience in aviation safety management and regulatory compliance. This role offers opportunities to influence aviation safety practices and support investigations to prevent future incidents.

Qualifications

• Experience managing aviation safety and compliance programs.
• Understanding of international aviation regulations.
• Ability to conduct audits and assessments.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct SAFA Ramp Checks.
• Implement corrective actions for safety standards.
• Support aviation safety-related investigations.
• Maintain comprehensive records for compliance.

Skills

Aviation Safety Management

Regulatory Compliance

Incident Investigation

Risk Assessment

Education

Degree in Aviation Management or related field

Job description

Oversight of Foreign Operators

• Plan SAFA Ramp Check activities related to operator’s frequency and define guidelines for frequency of inspection and associated follow up activities to optimise GCAA resources and manpower.
• Prepare SAFA Ramp Checks to ensure that inspections are conducted effectively.
• Conduct SAFA Ramp Checks to ascertain compliance with standards.
• Moderate SAFA Ramp Checks to guarantee standardisation, unified categorisation of findings and correctness and clarity of findings.
• Identify, categorise, report, and ensure that the deficiencies recorded in the SAFA Ramp Check Report or during surveillance are acted upon by the operator to ensure compliance with an acceptable level of safety, bringing any overdue or sensitive items (like violation) to the attention of the appropriate line manager.
• Recommend or apply the law enforcement provisions, if necessary.
• Support in Aviation Safety-related investigations, coordinating where operational issues are relevant in order to determine the cause of accidents and prevent future incidents.
• Investigate and coordinate with other disciplines (where applicable) to determine the cause of incidents and prevent future occurrence.

Internal Surveillance Program & Audits

• Implement corrective actions raised against the Department during internal surveillance program to ascertain alignment of Safety Affairs standards in line with international standards and continuous improvement.
• Support the administration of all auditing activities by external entities of Safety Affairs including ICAO, and IMS to ensure smooth and productive audit.

Safety Policy / Safety Promotion and Culture

• Assist in the definition of the Safety Policy applicable to Foreign Operators landing at UAE airports to ensure that safety standards are identified and met.
• Improve and implement safety promotion activities to disseminate and nurture a safety awareness culture in the UAE civil aviation industry and to keep industry players abreast of changes to relevant rules, regulations, and other aviation safety developments.
• Provide advice and guidance to the Sector, sharing best practice, trends and the findings of reviews, studies, and investigations to prevent future occurrences/incidents/accidents.

Change Management

• Implement the management of change through continuous improvement of functional systems, processes and practices taking into account ‘international best practice’, changes in international standards and changes in the business environment which demand proactive action plans.

Document Management

• Maintain a comprehensive record of relevant certification, reports, recommendations, and general documents to ensure an accurate record and evidence base.

Policies, Systems, Processes and Procedures

• Assist the management in maintaining ongoing liaison with foreign and international aviation regulatory bodies on new requirements and changes to existing safety regulations to foster the safe and orderly growth of UAE civil aviation.
• Implement Safety Affairs policies, systems, processes, and procedures so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering high quality safety services to the UAE civil aviation industry in accordance with customer service standards.

Reporting

• Ensure that all functional reports are prepared timely and accurately and meet GCAA requirements and quality standards.

Health, Safety and Environment within GCAA

• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, quality and environmental management procedures and controls to guarantee employee safety, legislative compliance, delivery of high-quality products/services and a responsible environmental attitude as per IMS available standards.

Other Tasks/ Accountability

• Perform additional tasks relevant to the role / area of expertise as requested by the management to be able to achieve the objectives/commitments.