Senior Manager - Policies, Certifications and Approvals

Strategy
• Develop and align the section’s strategy with the functional strategy to coherence across GCAA.
• Ensure implementation of sectional strategies and strategic plans that reflect GCAA’s vision and mission.

Leadership
• Coordinate with the Director in achieving departmental objectives through goal setting, staff recruitment, performance management, motivation, and ongoing development.
• Monitor and evaluate section performance against pre-determined measures and standards.
• Lead and mentor team members of the business units by instilling the values of the “Corporate Path”, ensuring clarity in roles, performance monitoring, and continuous feedback.
• Oversee compliance trends and provide strategic recommendations for policy updates and improvements.

Budget and Plans

• Consolidate and recommend the section’s annual budget and monitor expenditures to ensure cost-effectiveness and financial alignment.

Performance Monitoring
• Track section performance against pre-determines measures and recommend corrective actions, including resource optimization, training, and process realignment.

Aviation Security Policy
• Oversee the development, review and update of Aviation Security policies and National Civil Aviation Security Programmes in line with ICAO Annex 17 and national standards.
• Provide technical expertise on national aviation security programmes, especially regarding airport screening equipment in the UAE.
• Approve operator security training programmes and ensure national compliance.
• Ensure dissemination of aviation security requirements to stakeholders and maintain the Aviation Security Affairs library.
• Oversee the review of stakeholder enquires on aviation security related issues and ensure that they are resolved within specified timeframes.
 

Aviation Security Planning
• Manage the development of annual and technical training plans within the section.
• Oversee certification and approval-related training efforts.
• Coordinate planning activities related to the National Civil Aviation Security and Facilitation Committee and Technical Civil Aviation Security and Facilitation Committee.
• Advise on national and international issues related to aviation security and adjust planning needs accordingly.

Aviation Security e-Services and Publication
• Manage aviation security documentation systems, libraries, e-services, and the AVSEC web platform.
• Ensure content on the GCAA portal remains current and accurate.
• Oversee timely updates to aviation security publications and documentation on the GCAA portal for knowledge sharing.

Operational Oversight
• Manage the certification and approval processes, ensuring adherence to risk-based methodologies and international standards.
• Approve submissions from team members and ensure compliance with national and international standards.
• Facilitate technical agreements, including MoUs, in coordination with internal and external stakeholders in accordance with defined standards and procedures, to optimise and secure GCAA’s business interests.

Internal & External Audits & Surveillance Programs
• Ensure timely closure of findings from internal audits and surveillance programs.
• Coordinate audits by external entities on the section such as ICAO and IMS, and ensure preparedness and cooperation.

Aviation Security Culture and Coordination
• Promote aviation security awareness and foster a safety/security culture across the UAE aviation sector.
• Coordinate with international partners (e.g., ICAO, US TSA, EU/ECAC, UK DfT, Australia OTS) on aviation security matters.
• Contribute to the preparation and delivery of speeches, presentations, for events and technical publication on aviation security.
• Oversee the GCAA contributions on aviation security matters for various meetings, progress reports etc., in coordination with relevant business units.

Work Programme for USAP-CMA
• Contribute to continuous and in-depth assessment of the Aviation Security Regulatory System in the UAE based on ICAO USAP CMA PQs and Compliance Checklist, to comply with ICAO Annex 17 – Aviation Security SARPs and the AVSEC related provisions of Annex 9 – Facilitation.
• Propose the necessary amendments of the UAE Civil Aviation Law, CAR Part VII, national aviation security programmes, policies and other related documents to ensure compliance with the aviation security ICAO SARPs.
• Participate in preparation for the ICAO USAP CMA and represent the UAE GCAA as a team member during the course of the ICAO USAP CMA audit.

Policies, Systems, Processes and Procedures
• Oversee the development and implementation of section policies, procedures and controls that ensure compliance and service quality.
• Continuously improve PCA section processes to align with evolving standards and best practices.

Organisation Structure
• Define and maintain and efficient sectional structure to optimize resources and ensure smooth communication.
Change Management
• Drive continuous improvement by proactively adapting systems and processes in response to changing international standards and the business environment.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Degree from a University/College and recognized advanced professional technical qualification and certification in aviation security (such as ICAO Security Auditor, ECAC Security Auditor, Aviation Security Instructor, AVSEC-PM etc.)
• At least 10 years’ relevant work experience in Aviation Security including oversight or regulatory roles in certifications and approvals.