SUPPORT TO AIR TRANSPORT SECTOR DEVELOPMENT (SATSD) IN THE EASTERN AFRICA, SOUTHERN AFRICA AND INDIAN OCEAN REGION CALL FOR APPLICATIONS TEAM LEADER/ AIR TRANSPORT, AVIATION EXPERT PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat and the European Union (EU) have signed a Grant Contribution Agreement amounting to

€8million for the Support to Air Transport Sector Development (SATSD) in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region. The SATSD is a four (4) year programme that aims at supporting the operationalization of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM); strengthening the regulatory and institutional capacity of civil aviation institutions; and improving air navigation efficiency in the EA-SA-IO region.

The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to the development of the air transport sector in the EA-SA-IO region. The specific objectives are to achieve the following:

• Single African Air Transport Market operationalised;
• Strengthened regulatory and institutional capacity of civil aviation institutions in EA- SA-IO region; and
• Improved air navigation efficiency in the EA-SA-IO

The program integrates three key result areas which will be implemented with sub result areas as follows:

Result 1: Single African Air Transport Market operationalised

Sub result 1.1: Supported signing of Solemn Commitment by Member States in the EA- SA- IO region

Sub result 1.2: Enabled operationalisation of joint competition rules and regulations

Sub result 1.3: Enhanced capacity for a regional model for sustainable air transport market development.

Result 2: Strengthened regulatory and institutional capacity of civil aviation institutions in the EA-SA-IO region

Sub result 2.1: Separation of Civil Aviation Authority regulatory functions from operational functions supported in number of fast-moving countries

Sub result 2.2: Enhanced managerial and technical skills for aviation oversight

Sub result 2.3: Improved gender sensitivity and environment mainstreaming in the aviation sector.

Result 3: Improved air navigation efficiency in the EA-SA-IO region

Sub result 3.1: Enhanced airspace coordination for Regional Seamless Upper air space

Sub result 3.2: Enabled data sharing through centralised regional aeronautical information databases.

The primary beneficiaries of the Support to Air Transport Sector Development (SATSD) programme will be Member/Partner States of the EA-SA-IO region, through improved quality of air transport services that will stimulate demand for air transport services. Increased demand for air transport services will contribute to increased employment, direct and indirect through the positive impact on downstream aviation sector industries which are sources of inputs like fuel, spare parts, consumables, equipment and other service providers. Other sectors of the economy that will benefit are the tourism sector, industrial and trade sectors which rely heavily on-air transport. Growth of these sectors will positively contribute to GDP growth. Citizens will have increased disposable incomes as a result of growth in GDP and GDP per capita hence can afford air travel especially given the potential reduction in air fares. The huge size of the continent and its many physical barriers coupled with limitations in land-based transport infrastructure will make air travel the preferred mode. Institutional reforms to be supported by the programme will result in efficient and accountable institutions that will be able to support sustained growth of the sector.

PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

To implement the programme, the COMESA Secretariat will set up a Programme Implementation Unit to be based in the Infrastructure and Logistics Division.

The Programme Implementation Unit will be composed of staff as described in the job descriptions below and will also be supported by short-term experts where needed:

JOB TITLE: Team Leader/ Air Transport, Aviation Expert

GRADE: Professional Level (P4)

SALARY EURO 94,236 p.a

PROGRAMME: Support to Air Transport Sector Development (SATSD) in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region

DUTY STATION: Infrastructure and Logistics Division, COMESA Secretariat, Lusaka, Zambia

CONTRACT DURATION: From date of signature of the contract up to the end of the programme duration, which is expected to end in December 2024. The initial contract period shall include a six (6) months probationary period.

REPORTING TO: Director Infrastructure and Logistics Division through the Senior Transport Economist

SCOPE OF WORK

The Team Leader will provide leadership, technical expertise and programme management support on the implementation of the programme. The Team Leader will be responsible for planning and execution of the programme in terms of daily practical management and coordination of the activities. The Team Leader will work closely with the Senior Transport Economist.

SPECIFIC TASKS/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The specific responsibilities are to:-

1. Provide technical leadership to the programme implementation and contribute to the development /adjustments of the programme implementation strategy as and when necessary;
2. In collaboration with the EDF Programme Manager, develop/update the programme annual work plans and annual reports in line with the Contribution Agreement
3. In collaboration with the EDF Programme Manager, ensure monitoring and reporting on the programme implementation and performance following the programme’s logical framework and advise on adaptation or adjustments where and when necessary; reports should highlight clearly the achievements (as per indicators) and any challenges faced and what mitigation measures were
4. Working in collaboration with other Divisions at COMESA in the implementation of the programmes
5. Develop Terms of Reference (TORs) for short term experts and supervise their performance;
6. Design and setup the coordination mechanism with partner RECs and other stakeholders;
7. Coordinate development of aviation policies and regulations in line with the Contribution Agreement to promote liberalization and integration of the regional air transport market, and seamless operations
8. Coordinate activities that support operationalization of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)
9. Initiate and coordinate reforms of Civil Aviation Authorities to ensure separation of regulatory and operational functions to promote efficiency and accountability
10. Facilitate capacity building in the aviation sector at both technical and managerial levels
11. Initiate and coordinate activities to improve air navigation efficiency in the EA-SA-IO region
12. Liaise with Transport/Aviation Officers from the other RECs to ensure smooth implementation and monitoring of programme activities
13. Implement decisions/recommendations of the Project Steering Committee
14. Organize Multi Stakeholder workshops at regional level to validate the studies and developed frameworks
15. Ensure documentation and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned from the programme implementation;
16. Ensure coordination of activities with cooperating partners both at regional and national to avoid duplication and ensure complementarity of activities and
17. Supervise experts and consultants
18. Carry out any other duties which may be allocated by the Supervisor.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

1. Master’s degree in Air Transport, Aviation Law Engineering, Economics, Business Administration or a relevant, directly related discipline

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. At least 10 years of progressively relevant experience in sustainable air transport development, air transport policy, planning, strategy and regulation as well as programme/project management with a minimum of 5 years in managerial position;
2. Good knowledge of the functioning of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the EA-SA-IO region and the African Union
3. Experience in civil aviation regulations related to aviation safety, security and environmental protection to assist African States in the practical interpretation and implementation of the African Civil Aviation Policy in order to enable them to meet the requirements under the Convention on International Civil Aviation;
4. Good knowledge of the aviation sector reform debate;
5. Experience in working with global and regional organizations and donor/financial institutions for resource mobilization;
6. Experience in air navigation and airport infrastructure project preparation, implementation and monitoring in the Region;
7. Experience in dealing with air transport liberalization frameworks
8. Experience in establishing and maintaining databases on subjects relating to forecasting and economic regulation of air transport;
9. Experience in negotiations of air service agreements and drafting of multilateral or horizontal air service agreements tailored to African context respecting ICAO requirements;
10. Experience in multimodal transport and interaction between air transport .and
11. Knowledge of operations of national/regional organizations dealing with Aviation sector policy regulation
12. Experience in facilitating seminars and
13. Strong management and Leadership skills , ability to run a technical team and capacity to develop proactive policies and strategies to accomplish objectives and drives for change
14. Strong management, organizational and people skills
15. Strong writing and presentation
16. Financial management and fiscal responsibility
17. Relevant experience working in similar donor funded regional programmes, preferably (but not limited to) EU-funded programmes, in developing countries in general and in Sub-Saharan Africa in particular would be an additional

WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL THE POSITIONS

Must be fluent in English and/or French and/or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two or all these languages will be an added advantage.

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

Applicants must be nationals of EU, ACP and COMESA Member States and not more than 55 years of age at the time of submitting the application.

FINAL DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS

Applications MUST be submitted electronically through email on the prescribed COMESA APPLICATION FORM which can be accessed at the following COMESA website: http://www.comesa.int/, Opportunities, COMESA Job Application Format.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Application should reach the address below not later than 24th March 2021 .at 18:00 hours Lusaka, Zambia time