Aviation Specialist

NTU International A/S; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,761,000 - 2,721,000; Full time

Job summary

NTU International A/S seeks a Senior Non-Key Expert – Aviation Specialist to support technical, policy, institutional and investment assignments in the aviation sector across regions. The role requires extensive experience in aviation infrastructure, master planning and international standards, with emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa, LAC and Asia-Pacific contexts.

The candidate will collaborate with civil authorities, airport operators and IFIs, contributing to capacity building and reform in

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in aeronautical/airport/civil transport engineering or related field.
• Excellent knowledge of aviation sector, airports, safety and sustainability.
• Experience with development aid delivery methods.
• Strong written and oral communication and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prepare and implement aviation infrastructure and air transport projects.
• Conduct feasibility studies, technical assessments and investment analyses.
• Support airport master planning and air connectivity planning.
• Advise on airport systems, services and operational efficiency.
• Promote sustainable, low-carbon aviation and energy efficiency.
• Ensure climate resilience and environmental/social considerations are integrated.

Skills

Aviation sector knowledge

Communication skills

Computer skills

Development aid delivery

Education

Master’s in aviation engineering

Job description

Senior Non-Key Expert – Aviation Specialist

About NTU International A/S

NTU International A/S is a leading international consulting company providing project management and technical advisory services worldwide. NTU works extensively with European Union institutions, international financial institutions, development agencies, and public sector clients across transport, infrastructure, urban development, climate resilience, governance, and sustainable investment.

NTU International is preparing a proposal for the project “Global Gateway Transport and Urban Facility 2 – EC-INTPA/2026/EA-RP/0006.”

The overall objective of the project is to support the global transition towards inclusive, smart, clean, safe, secure, resilient and sustainable transport and cities in partner countries, in line with the Global Gateway strategy and the European Green Deal's geopolitical offer.

The contract will require the mobilisation of experts for technical assistance missions worldwide, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia and the Pacific. The intended start date is January 2027, with an implementation period of 48 months.

In this context, NTU International is seeking a highly qualified Senior Non-Key Expert – Aviation Specialist to support technical, policy, institutional and investment-related assignments in the aviation sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the identification, preparation and implementation of aviation infrastructure and air transport projects.
• Conducting feasibility studies, technical assessments, project design reviews and investment-related analyses.
• Supporting airport master planning, infrastructure development and air connectivity planning.
• Advising on airport infrastructure, airport systems, air transport services and operational efficiency.
• Supporting aviation safety, security and compliance with relevant international and European standards and good practices.
• Supporting procurement, tendering, implementation supervision, and operation and maintenance planning for aviation infrastructure.
• Promoting sustainable and low-carbon aviation, including measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of airport operations.
• Integrating climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and environmental and social considerations into aviation infrastructure planning and investment.
• Supporting policy, regulatory and institutional reforms in the aviation sector.
• Contributing to the assessment and improvement of investment climates and regulatory frameworks for aviation infrastructure and services.
• Providing capacity building and technical assistance to civil aviation authorities, airport operators, public institutions and other sector stakeholders.
• Coordinating with public authorities, civil aviation authorities, airport operators, airlines, contractors, supervising engineers, IFIs and development partners.
• Supporting the promotion and adoption of European standards and good practices in partner countries.

Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree or equivalent diploma in aeronautical engineering, airport engineering, civil engineering, transport engineering, aviation management, or another directly related discipline.
• Excellent knowledge of the aviation sector, including airports, air transport, aviation safety, air connectivity and sustainability aspects, as well as related policies and international good practices.
• Knowledge of development aid delivery methods.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills.

General Professional Experience

• At least 15 years of general professional experience in the aviation sector.
• Proven experience managing complex assignments involving multiple stakeholders, including public authorities, civil aviation authorities, airport operators, airlines, contractors, supervising engineers and development partners.
• Proven professional experience across the project cycle of aviation infrastructure and services investments, including feasibility studies, detailed design, tendering/procurement support, implementation, operation and maintenance planning.
• Experience applying international and European standards and good practices related to aviation infrastructure and services delivery, including technical quality, safety, environmental and social compliance, climate resilience and sustainability considerations.

Specific Professional Experience

• At least 7 years of professional experience in the planning, design, supervision or management of aviation infrastructure, airport systems and/or air transport services.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in aviation projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America or Asia.
• Professional experience related to the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment in the aviation sector, in particular on the technical side, such as feasibility studies, project design, airport planning, aviation safety, social and environmental issues, maintenance, procurement, connectivity, operational efficiency and resilience, etc.

Assets

• Professional experience in the Sub-Saharan Africa region (in situ).
• Professional experience in providing support to governance / capacity building in the aviation sector.
• Professional experience with the EU rules and procedures.

Language Requirements

• English proficiency at C1 level is mandatory.
• French at minimum B2 level will be considered an asset.
• Spanish at minimum B2 level will be considered an asset.

Please note that inclusion in the expert pool does not guarantee immediate assignment. Experts will be contacted based on specific project requirements, availability and matching qualifications. Selected experts may be mobilised for short-term technical assistance missions in partner countries globally. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.