Chief, Climate Change Section

UN Secretariat; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ICAO’s Climate Change Section seeks a senior leader to guide policy development, research, and guidance on cleaner energies and market-based measures like CORSIA. The Chief oversees capacity-building, State Action Plans, and partnership work with international organizations, driving ICAO's net-zero by 2050 aspirational goal.

The role requires a strong background in environmental policy, aviation emissions, and program delivery, with a capacity to represent ICAO at international forums and to

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in environmental science, policy, economics, engineering, public administration, or international affairs is required.
• Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted.
• Ten years of progressive international aviation and climate change experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage work programs related to international aviation climate change framework.
• Foster partnerships with international organizations and industry.
• Represent ICAO in global climate forums and oversee outreach products.
• Oversee CORSIA implementation activities and inputs to ICAO bodies.
• Coordinate assessments of market-based measures and deployment of SAF and other cleaner energies.
• Manage ACT programs and State Action Plans; oversee staff and resources.

Skills

International policy

Climate change

Aviation regulations (ICAO Annex 16)

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)

LCAF

CORSIA

ACT programs

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Advanced university degree

First-level degree + 2 years experience

Tools

PM tools & software

Job description

Organizational context:

The Climate Change Section within ICAO's Air Transport Bureau is responsible for advancing the strategic goal of environmentally sustainable aviation. It develops policies, conducts studies, and provides guidance on measures to mitigate aviation's climate impact, including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), market-based measures (MBMs), and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The Section also supports capacity-building programs and advises ICAO's governing bodies.

Job purpose:

The Chief of the Climate Change Section leads efforts to achieve ICAO's goal of environmentally sustainable aviation. This involves managing work programs focused on reducing aviation's greenhouse gas emissions through policy development, research, and guidance on cleaner energies and market-based measures like CORSIA. The role includes overseeing the implementation of assistance and capacity-building programs for member states, representing ICAO in international forums, and ensuring civil aviation's interests are reflected in global climate discussions. The Chief is responsible for strategic planning, partnership building, and ensuring the effective delivery of the Section's objectives, contributing to ICAO's long-term aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Responsibilities:

The Chief of the Climate Change Section leads and manages work programs related to the international aviation climate change framework, including policy development, analysis, and project delivery. Responsibilities include fostering partnerships with international organizations and industry, representing ICAO in global climate forums, and overseeing outreach products. The role involves managing activities for CORSIA implementation, ensuring timely inputs to ICAO bodies, and coordinating assessments of market-based measures. Additionally, the Chief leads efforts to develop and deploy Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and other cleaner energies, coordinating reviews, guidance, and information exchange. The position also entails managing ICAO's Assistance, Capacity-building and Training (ACT) programs and State Action Plans, and overseeing the Climate Change Section's staff, resources, and operations to align with ICAO's strategic goals.

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in environmental science, policy, economics, engineering, public administration, or international affairs is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted.

Work experience:

A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in international aviation and climate change within a government, international organization, or industry is required. Essential experience includes managing environmental projects, providing support to aviation stakeholders, and addressing technical and resource management issues. Desirable experience includes work with ICAO standards, development of environmental policies, and international negotiations.

Skills:

Professionalism in international environmental policy, climate change, aviation regulations (ICAO Annex 16), SAF, LCAF, CORSIA, and ACT programs. Knowledge of aircraft emissions, environmental modeling, and analysis. Proficiency in project management tools and software. Strong communication, accountability, leadership, and performance management skills. Ability to build trust and foster collaboration.

Required languages:

English, French

Desired languages: