[Hiring] Civil Aviation Law Expert @ICAO

Role Description

The Organizational Setting

• Under the ICAO Capacity Development and Implementation Directorate (CDI), the Operations Section (FOS) is responsible for the strategic planning, development, execution, and evaluation of projects.
• FOS supports the identification of priority development needs in the civil aviation sector and offers technical cooperation to recipient States.
• FOS executes projects in accordance with ICAO/CDI policies and contractual modalities.
• ICAO/CDI is supporting the Government of the Republic of Armenia in the institutional reform of the Civil Aviation Committee (CAC), as established in Project Document ARM24802.
• This project aims to transform the current CAC into an autonomous, technically competent, and financially sustainable authority.
• The project supports necessary institutional reforms to increase effectiveness, sustainability, and independence of the AASIID.

TECHNICAL CONTEXT

• Armenia's civil aviation sector is regulated by the CAC, which faces structural challenges that constrain its effectiveness.
• These challenges include limitations in attracting qualified specialists, dependency on the state budget, and outdated legislation.
• ICAO's USOAP findings identified gaps in Armenia's safety oversight capabilities that require fundamental institutional reform.
• The project supports transformation through three integrated reform pillars:
• Institutional and Legislative Reform
• Organizational, Administrative and Functional Review
• Sustainable Financing and Human Resources Framework

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Diagnostic Phase: Assessment of the current CAC's and AASIID’s frameworks; review of USOAP findings.
• Reform Design Phase: Development of reform recommendations, legislative drafts, and HR policies aligned with ICAO SARPs.
• Implementation Support Phase: Technical assistance to CAC and AASIID in implementing approved reforms.

Function 1 (incl. Expected results)

• Conduct a comprehensive review and gap analysis of Armenia's aviation legislation for alignment with ICAO obligations.
• Develop recommendations and draft legislative amendments for an autonomous CAC.
• Draft or revise the primary civil aviation law of Armenia for the transition to an autonomous CAC.
• Develop a legislative and regulatory implementation roadmap.
• Align Armenia's legislative framework with ICAO Annex requirements.
• Advise on the regulatory framework for core safety oversight functions.
• Coordinate with other experts on legal aspects of HR and financial reform.

Function 2 (incl. Expected results)

• Perform duties under the coordination of the Project Coordinator.
• Contribute to the review and harmonization of sections developed by other team members.
• Compile necessary documentation for the work.
• Prepare meetings and field visits appropriately.
• Participate in coordination meetings organized by ICAO CDI.
• Ensure ICAO's safety, security, and sustainability considerations are incorporated into all deliverables.
• Contribute to the preparation of monthly project monitoring reports.
• Prepare presentations for project progress briefings.

Function 3 (incl. Expected results)

• Review and map existing Armenian aviation legislation against ICAO obligations.
• Draft or revise the primary civil aviation law and key secondary regulations.
• Develop a legal and regulatory implementation roadmap.
• Advise on ICAO compliance from a legal perspective.
• Coordinate with government legal advisors on legislative drafting processes.
• Provide legal opinions on the institutional status of the reformed CAC and AASIID.

Function 4 (incl. Expected results)

• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Impact of The Outcome of the Position

• Contribute to the institutional transformation of the CAC into an autonomous authority.
• Strengthen the effectiveness, sustainability, and independence of the AASIID.

Work Relations and Contacts

• The Civil Aviation Law Expert reports to the CAC Authorities in coordination with the ICAO Program Manager.
• Coordinates with ICAO experts on administrative matters.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Shows pride in work; demonstrates professional competence; is efficient in meeting commitments.
• Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies key issues; gathers relevant information before making decisions.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly; listens to others; tailors language to match the audience.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively; values others’ ideas; supports group decisions.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments; seeks feedback to improve.

Qualifications

• University degree in Law, with a focus on public law, administrative law, or international law.
• Specialized education in aviation law or air law is desirable.

Requirements

• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in aviation law, with at least 5 years in civil aviation legislation.
• Demonstrated experience drafting aviation legislation.
• Solid knowledge of the ICAO Convention and its Annexes.
• Experience with ICAO Doc 9734 and governance frameworks for CACs.
• Proven experience in governmental legislative reform processes.
• Familiarity with the CIS/Eastern European aviation regulatory context is desirable.

Languages

• Strong command of written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Russian or Armenian is a significant asset.

Benefits

• Special Service Agreement: 500 USD per day worked plus DSA and airfare when on mission.
• No other allowances are provided.

NO FEE

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.