Aerodrome Civil Engineering Expert (OPAS)

International Civil Aviation Organization; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 230,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Riyadh seeks a senior professional to lead field operations for major airport development projects, including design reviews, foundation supervision, and contract administration.

You will coordinate with GACA and KSIA developers, monitor master plan timelines, and help build national capacity through training and expert guidance. The role demands extensive civil engineering experience and strong English communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in civil engineering is required.
• Ten years of experience in planning, designing, construction management, and supervision of aerodromes and related facilities.
• Strong contract administration and monitoring experience with familiarity of FIDIC.
• Good command of English; knowledge of additional languages is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist GACA in evaluating design reviews against operational requirements.
• Review contractor/consultant work for contract compliance and coordinate project execution.
• Oversee foundation works for runway and terminal structures and monitor schedule adherence.
• Assess capacity and condition of airport facilities and systems; evaluate PCI, SII, RCI indices.
• Develop national counterparts through training and supervision of design reviews and contractor administration.
• Prepare reports to support rehabilitation and future airport development proposals.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Master's degree in a relevant field

Tools

FIDIC procedures

Contract administration

Technical correspondence

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Organizational Setting

Under the direction of Director of the Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau (CDI), the Field Operations Section (FOS) is responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and closure of Technical Assistance (TA) and Technical Cooperation (TC) projects. It drafts agreements and aids in creating country-specific and regional projects and programs by identifying priority areas, developing objectives, activities, and deliverables, setting timelines, and specifying budgetary requirements.

Additionally, under the direction of the CDI Director, the Field Personnel Section (FPS/FRU) recruits international experts to implement Capacity Development and Implementation projects across various Civil Aviation fields and manages the ICAO Roster of Experts.

KSIADC (King Salman International Airport Development Company) is spearheading a mega project to develop Riyadh International Airport, soon to be named King Salman International Airport. The project is scheduled for execution between 2024 and 2030. Recently, KSIADC presented the KSIA Master Plan and project execution timelines to GACA, highlighting the critical need for timely evaluations, approvals, and acceptance of project packages by GACA in accordance with the requirements and provisions of GACAR Part 139 and other applicable regulations.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

• Assist the state civil aviation authority (GACA) in the evaluation and approval of the design reviews prepared by consultants, cross-checking against operational requirements.
• Review the work of contractors/consultants to ensure compliance with the contract requirements and assist in the coordinated execution of the works.

Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

• Supervise the execution of foundation works for the runway and terminal building structures.
• Follow up and monitor the execution of the construction work against the planned schedule to cover timely execution and adherence to the schedule, and effective implementation of contract agreements.

Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

Assess the current capacity and service-level conditions of the main airport facilities and equipment: airside, passenger and cargo buildings, landside and access, complementary systems. Evaluation of pavements conditions index (PCI), surface integrity index (SII), riding comfort index (RCI).

Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

Develop and train the national counterpart in the project activities, the design of review work, the supervision and the contractors administration works.

Function 5 (incl. Expected results)

• Advise and assist state CAA in ensuring proper quality time and cost control in respect to the above work elements and assist in the contract administration.
• Develop formats for regular reporting on all activities of the project work, and the effective control of laboratory results.
• Prepare reports which will serve as basis for a proposal for rehabilitation and future development of the airports.

Function 6 (incl. Expected results)

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Impact of The Outcome of the Position

• Guarantees regulatory compliance with GACAR.
• Minimizes infrastructure risks through rigorous design reviews.
• Secures timely execution of runway and terminal structures.
• Enhances national capacity by training GACA personnel

Work Relations and Contacts

• GACA Leadership & Inspectors: For facility approvals and to deliver technical advice as well as training.
• KSIADC Technical/Project Managers: To evaluate master plan timelines

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Qualifications And Experience

Education

• University degree in civil engineering from a recognized university, or equivalent qualification.

Professional experience

Essential

• Ten years’ experience in planning, designing, construction management, supervision, planning and or modifications of aerodromes and its elements (runway, ATC tower, passenger buildings, etc.).
• Extensive experience in contract administration and monitoring work progress, with a strong proficiency in FIDIC procedures.
• Proven experience in managing technical correspondence with consultants and contractors.
• Knowledge of aircraft operational characteristics, including the application of traffic forecasts, landing and take-off criteria, procedures, runway, taxiway, and apron strengths and dimensions, as well as drainage systems, access routes, and roads.
• Proven ability in monitoring costs and quality control.

Desirable

• A master's degree in a relevant field.
• Familiarity with capacity analysis, compatibility studies, value engineering, and economic feasibility studies for airports.
• Familiarity with the relevant provisions of applicable annexes and ICAO documentation.
• Some experience in inspections, audits, and certification processes.

Languages

Essential

• A good command of oral and written English.

Desirable

• A working knowledge of French or another official language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish).

R emuneration

P5 Step 1

NO FEE:

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.