Summary
Date Posted: Friday, September 09, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Flight Operations Director

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy, Financial
• Assist the COO with the development and implementation of the aviation/air ambulance strategies and plans, including manpower, training, aircraft, equipment and the budgeting (operational and capital) therefore to meet the business’ aviation and air ambulance requirements
• Establish and maintain effective systems to ensure the implementation of the aviation/air ambulance operational and infrastructure requirements, ensuring the most cost effective and operationally compliant, safe manner is followed
• Liaising with and updating the Finance Department on implementation plans and flight activity levels where necessary
• Oversight/management of the Flight Operations revenue targets and cost budgets
• Structure, review and approve the flight operations department staff allowances and claims.
• Where necessary, participate fully in the various financial, costing and budgeting processes, together with the COO and CFO.
• Establish and manage the implementation of the flight operations department’s financial and administrative SOPs, protocols and internal controls

Compliance, Safety and Quality Management
• Work together with the Chief Pilot and other Post Holders to ensure AFD’s flight operations are carried out safely at all times and they comply with all
• AOC, KCAA, Company, aircraft insurer and manufacturer policies, SOPs and protocols.
• Ensure the highest possible standards of flight safety are complied with bysetting and monitoring the training, flight planning and operations, service delivery, security, reporting standards with regular communication/feedback sessions.
• Accountable/responsibility for the aviation/aircraft assets (except when under HOM control), equipment handling and safety
• Agree minimum qualifications of flight crew to be employed with the Chief Pilot and flight ops personnel with the Operations Manager, both in liaison with COO/Acc. Man.
• Assesses and implements the development of OCC procedures together with the Operations Manager
• Participate in Safety and Quality Action Group (SAQG) strategies, implementation and compliance thereof as well as identify and assess safety hazards and identify/implement risk mitigation strategies
• Support the SAG in setting and oversighting the application of acceptable levels of aviation and corporate risk.
• Work with and support the COO/Accountable Manager on all aviation/flight commercial, safety, quality and compliance related issues.
• Attend Safety and Quality Review Board meetings to monitor the aviation safety performance and implement corrective action procedures as identified.
• Assist with the implementation and oversight of the Company policy, Safety Management System and reported safety incidents and/or concerns.
• Where necessary assist with the evaluation and audits of external aviation service providers.

Training
• Responsible for the timeous training and development of aircrew and flight operations staff to meet all company, licensing and regulatory requirements to ensure high quality, safe and efficient air ambulance services.
• Ensure a world class, cost efficient, continuous training schedule is in place and the status of all crew and operations staff training is current/up to date at all times with adequate records in place.

Flight Operations Control
• Ensure the operational management reporting and data is accurate, timeous and easily available for management understanding and decision-making.
• Supervision and approval of all airfield categorization and briefings.
• Work closely with and oversight the Operations Manager and flight operations team.
• Together with the Operations Manager, ensure an efficient, safe and cost effective Operations Department is in place 24/7 including client quoting, quote follow ups, flight dispatch, flight tracking, medical department. liaison, etc.
• Work with the Medical Director, Aero Medical Coordinator and Medical Coordinators to ensure a close working relationship and safe, excellent patient transport and care while on board an aircraft.
• Manage and oversight the operational inputs required to maximise the quote activation rate to in turn maximise the air ambulance revenue and margin lines.
• Oversight of all flight planning including the route planning, the provision of navigation and aeronautical information, aircraft performance and operational information to ensure safe, compliant, cost effective air ambulance operations.

Regulation, Quality and Compliance
• Ensure that the Company code of ethics and SOPs are complied with.
• Ensure the crew roster and scheduling complies with duty time regulations and take into account all safety considerations.
• Ensure continuous monitoring of safety and quality critical activities as well as the compliance with all regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Ensure corrective action procedures/processes identified by quality and safety audits/investigations as well as other internal reporting mechanisms are closed within the agreed period.
• Ensure that Safety, Security, Quality and Risk management policies are adequately implemented and monitored.
• Ensure open two-way communication channel with the Civil Aviation Authorities (KCA) as well as any other external agencies on all operational matters, including the renewal and any variations to the Air Operators

Certificate
• Monitor and report on any changes in applicable legislation and regulations
• Report all incidents and accidents
• Member of the Emergency Response team
• Electronic Flight Bag administrator, responsible for all EFB topics and documentation
• Ensure timeous, accurate management reporting is in place and communicated to stakeholders.

Leadership and Management
• Providing overall staff supervision, performance management and capacity building for the flight operations staff
• Collaborate with the Chief Pilot to ensure the right pilot headcount in each band is maintained at all times for AFD’s operations
• Fly agreed minimum flight hours per month (40 hours) to keep licence and ratings current
• Work with the Chief Pilot to resolve any pilot or pilot related complaints, issues that could affect AFD’s service levels or reputation
• Share relevant professional aviation literature and journals
• Ensure proper succession planning and development of direct reports in order to improve efficiency and ensure business continuity of direct reports in order to improve efficiency and ensure business continuity

Human Resources Management
Together with the HR Manager ensure the timeous recruitment and retention of qualified flight operations personnel by participating in the recruitment process through:
• Regular staff planning and gap analyses
• Reviewing job descriptions to ensure they are appropriate
• Participating in the interview process and selecting the preferred candidate/s.
• Overseeing orientation of new staff
• Participate in flight operations department staff performance and evaluation exercises
• Provide input where necessary with staff contract terminations
• Ensure continuous, professional training of AFD aircrew and flight operations staff
• Advise on roles and responsibilities of other flight operations staff appointed by the company and supervise/ assess their performance
• Advise on crew fit to fly policy and procedures

Networking and Relationship Management
• Network with other international Air Ambulance providers to ensure AFD stays up to date with any flight operations developments and trends
• Attend flight operations conferences and workshops where necessary.
• Present and discuss flight operations department developments, capabilities, results, etc. at appropriate internal and external forums
• Maintain open communications channels with relevant aviation authorities, aircraft suppliers, etc.

Management of the Company Operations Equipment
• Responsible for the safe, proper operation and care of all aircraft and aircraft assets
• Responsible for aircraft safety equipment and the training thereon
• Ensure staff training on equipment
• Responsible for cost-effective sourcing and supply of flight operations department equipment and supplies/ suppliers

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualifications
• Holds appropriate ATPL license and current rating/s for one or more of the jet/turbine engine aircraft operated by AFD
• University graduate, preferably with an aviation or business-related degree

Additional Qualifications
• In depth understanding and appreciation of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority regulations and safe, compliant operating practices as documented in the company’s aviation manual(s) and SOPs to ensure compliance with her/his responsibilities

Minimum Years of Experience
• Minimum of 6,000 flight hours with 4,000 as PIC
• Previous experience operating in bush/hostile environments is an advantage
• Minimum of four years’ experience within the last five (5) years in a Director Flight Operations and/or Chief Pilot role/s, in an air ambulance, general aviation charter or contract company, operating three or more aircraft.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• Excellent communication skills and command of the English language (spoken and written)
• Outstanding leadership and management skills
• Ability to focus, work under pressure and make aviation decisions to ensure the best and safest patient outcome
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Great leadership and interpersonal skills
• High level of integrity and loyalty
• Good understanding of the AFD business and the dynamics of patient care
• Mature, reliable, confident and committed
• Strong IT skills
• Strong problem-solving skills, flexible and creative thinker
• Ability to manage and motivate teams for quality service delivery
• Experienced aviation professional with strong operational, compliance and safety ethos
• Good understanding of aircraft maintenance principles and cycles, as well as being able to
• work closely with and understand the Maintenance Director and various aircraft engineers

WORKING CONDITIONS
• The role is carried out in an office environment and is flexible according to work requirement
• Meets with authorities
• Travels regionally and internationally as required
• AFD has a 24-hour environment due to nature of operations. 24 hour/7-day availability on phone with physical availability as where and when required.


Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 48

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure

If you have the passion to contribute to the leading Aero-medical and Health solutions provider, submit application by 14 September 2022. Attach cover letter specifying how you meet the criteria, what you expect to bring to AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD) with an updated CV in PDF


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