Aerodrome Civil Engineering Expert (OPAS)

Role Overview

Aerodrome Civil Engineering Expert (OPAS) with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency. This position supports the King Salman International Airport development project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, scheduled for execution between 2024 and 2030.

Company Overview

The Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau (CDI) directs this role through the Field Operations Section (FOS), which develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and closes Technical Assistance and Technical Cooperation projects across civil aviation. The Field Personnel Section recruits international experts and manages the ICAO Roster of Experts.

The King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) is executing a mega project to develop Riyadh International Airport. GACA, the state civil aviation authority, requires timely evaluations, approvals, and acceptance of project packages in accordance with GACAR Part 139 and applicable regulations.

Role Purpose

To ensure the successful design, construction, and commissioning of King Salman International Airport infrastructure by providing expert civil engineering oversight, regulatory compliance assurance, quality control, and capacity building to GACA and project stakeholders, while aligning all work with GACAR regulations and ICAO standards.

Key Responsibilities

Design Review & Regulatory Compliance

• Assist GACA in evaluating and approving design reviews prepared by consultants, cross-checking against operational requirements.
• Review contractor and consultant work to ensure compliance with contract requirements.
• Advise and assist GACA in ensuring proper quality, time, and cost control.
• Guarantee regulatory compliance with GACAR throughout project delivery.

Construction Supervision & Monitoring

• Supervise execution of foundation works for runway and terminal building structures.
• Monitor construction work execution against planned schedules to ensure timely delivery and adherence to timelines.
• Follow up on effective implementation of contract agreements.
• Secure timely execution of runway and terminal structures.

Facility Assessment & Condition Evaluation

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

Capacity Development & Training

• Develop and train national counterparts in project activities, design review work, supervision, and contractor administration.
• Enhance national capacity by training GACA personnel.
• Deliver technical advice and training to GACA leadership and inspectors.

Reporting & Quality Control

• Develop formats for regular reporting on all project activities and effective control of laboratory results.
• Prepare reports serving as the basis for proposals on airport rehabilitation and future development.
• Monitor costs and quality control throughout project execution.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Manage technical correspondence with consultants and contractors.
• Evaluate KSIADC master plan timelines with technical and project managers.
• Deliver technical advice to GACA for facility approvals.

Additional Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• University degree in civil engineering from a recognized university, or equivalent qualification.
• Master's degree in a relevant field (desirable).

Essential Professional Experience

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

Desirable Professional Experience

• Familiarity with capacity analysis, compatibility studies, value engineering, and economic feasibility studies for airports.
• Familiarity with relevant provisions of applicable annexes and ICAO documentation.
• Some experience in inspections, audits, and certification processes.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Expert knowledge of aerodrome design, construction management, and supervision.
• Proficiency in FIDIC contract procedures.
• Competency in pavement condition assessment (PCI, SII, RCI evaluation).
• Expertise in contract administration and work progress monitoring.

Soft Skills & Professional Competencies

• Professionalism: Takes pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and deadlines; motivated by professional concerns; persistent with difficult problems; remains calm under stress.
• Judgement and Decision-Making: Identifies key issues quickly in complex situations; gathers relevant information before deciding; considers positive and negative impacts; makes decisions with awareness of impact on others and the Organization; proposes evidence-based courses of action; checks assumptions against facts; makes tough decisions when necessary.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens and correctly interprets messages; asks clarifying questions; tailors language, tone, and style to audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively to achieve organizational goals; values others' ideas and expertise; willing to learn from others; prioritizes team agenda; supports group decisions; shares credit for achievements and accepts joint responsibility for shortcomings.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of developments in own profession; actively pursues professional and personal development; contributes to colleagues' learning; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback for improvement.

Languages

• Essential: Good command of oral and written English.
• Desirable: Working knowledge of French or another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish).

Additional Information

• Position Level: P5 Step 1.
• The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or training). The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.