MANAGER – AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS INVESTIGATION
POSITION DESCRIPTION
1.
Identification
Department
PNG Accident Investigation Commission
Position No.
AOI 001
Division
Aircraft Accident Investigation (AIO)
Designation/Classification: Grade 10
Manager - Aircraft Operations Investigation
Branch
Head Office
Local Designation
Manager - Aircraft Operations Investigation
Section
Accident Investigation
Reporting to
Chief Executive Officer
Location
Port Moresby
Incumbent
Position currently vacant
Position No.
EXM 001
Position history
DPM FILE
NUMBER
DATE OF VARIATION
SCMC: AIC-4-4-11
2.
DETAILS
Organization and remuneration structure
Purpose
As a signatory to the International Convention on Civil Aviation, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is
required to investigate and report on aircraft accidents and serious incidents in accordance with
Annex 13 to the Convention. The PNG statutory body responsible for this is the Accident
Investigation Commission (AIC) whose mandate and powers are described in the Civil
Aviation Act (as amended 2010). The Manager - Aircraft Operations Investigation (the
Manager) will have overall responsibility for the AIC’s safety investigations and reports, the
drafting of safety recommendations, on-the-job training of AIC investigators, and, as required
by the Chief Executive Officer, liaison with other government agencies and industry, and the
provision of advice to the Commission. The Manager is expected to train a PNG national to
take over the position at the end of the contract term.
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MANAGER INVESTIGATION OPERATIONS – POSITION DESCRIPTION
3.
4.
Dimensions
Staff
AIC investigation staff Levels 1 to 4 (currently six investigators).
Accountability
To the Chief Executive Officer.
Nature and scope
4.1
Reporting relationships
This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer on matters relating to the AIC’s
investigations and reports. Reporting on budget and personnel matters will be to the Chief
Executive Officer in consultation with the Manager, Finance and Administration.
4.2
Work environment
Aircraft safety investigation is the principal function of the AIC. Day-to-day running of the
agency is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer and administrative support is
provided by Finance and Administration. The AIC has a current staff ceiling of 33 positions
approved by the Department of Personnel Management.
4.3
Constraints framework and boundaries
Rules/Procedures
The Manager will work within a framework provided by the following legislation, policies and
procedures: ICAO Annex 13, the Civil Aviation Act (as amended 2010), Public Service
General Orders, the Public Services (Management) Act and Regulations, and provisions of
relevant Parliamentary Acts concerning the approval of the Annual Budget.
Decisions
Determine the direction and scope of aircraft investigations, the content of investigation
reports and their readiness for publication, and the content of AIC safety recommendations.
Assess the work of individual investigators within the AIC’s annual performance assessment
framework. Advise the Chief Executive Officer on all other aspects of AIC safety
investigation, as required.
Recommendations
Make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer for improvement in all areas of AIC
safety investigation, reporting, training, and investigator retention and career development.
4.4
Challenges
Ensuring that AIC investigations and reports are timely and of international standard, always
meeting or exceeding the requirements of ICAO Annex 13. Maintaining a program of
continuous improvement within the AIC investigations area through the training and
development of the AIC’s investigators in all aspects of aviation safety investigation.
4.5
Working relationships
Within the AIC
The Manager reports to the Chief Executive Officer and works in close consultation with the
Manager, Finance and Administration on budget and administrative issues. On a day-to-day
basis, the Manager will work closely with the AIC investigators.
Outside the AIC
The Manager will liaise with PNG government agencies and the aviation industry, and with
international organisations as required by the Chief Executive Officer.
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MANAGER INVESTIGATION OPERATIONS – POSITION DESCRIPTION
5.
Qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience
5.1
Qualifications
A professional qualification in aviation safety investigation (preferably at Diploma level) plus
an airline transport pilot license (ATPL) or a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME)
license or an air traffic controller license.
5.2
Knowledge
Demonstrated sound knowledge of
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all aspects of aviation safety investigation in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 and
supporting documentation including evidence gathering and preservation, accident site
management, data management, investigation analysis, and stakeholder liaison and
management;
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all aspects of aviation investigation report writing in accordance with ICAO Annex 13
and supporting documentation;
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operational aspects of the aviation industry.
5.3
Skills

Highly developed verbal and written communications skills.

An ability to foster teamwork and work successfully with people from a range of
backgrounds.
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Excellent planning and project management skills.
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Good computer skills and use of Microsoft WORD and EXCEL, etc.
5.4
Work experience
Significant aviation safety investigation experience as the investigator-in-charge with
demonstrated ability to manage teams on complex safety investigations. Experience in
reviewing and improving investigation reports, and in developing safety
recommendations. Significant operational experience in the industry as a pilot, aircraft
engineer, or air traffic controller.
6.
Principal duties and responsibilities
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Manage the AIC’s overall investigation workload through oversight of the AIC’s
investigators.
Work closely with AIC investigators to provide on-the-job training in all aspects of
safety investigation and report writing in accordance with international standards and
the AIC Policy and Procedures Manual.
Ensure that AIC investigations and reports meet required timelines.
Ensure all notification is undertaken in accordance with international requirements.
Ensure that AIC investigations and reports meet or exceed the requirements of ICAO
Annex 13.
Develop and draft aviation safety recommendations with AIC investigators for the
Chief Executive Officer.
Monitor responses to AIC safety recommendations.
MANAGER INVESTIGATION OPERATIONS – POSITION DESCRIPTION
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4
Ensure AIC investigators have a sound understanding of the Civil Aviation Act (as
amended 2010) as it relates to the AIC’s mandate and powers, and maintain an
awareness of any changes to the Civil Aviation Orders and Civil Aviation Regulations.
Liaise with other PNG government aviation agencies and the aviation industry as
required by the Chief Executive Officer.
Provide regular updates on the status of investigations and reports to the Chief
Executive Officer as required.
Assist in drafting annual plans for individual AIC investigators and undertake annual
investigator performance assessments in accordance with AIC procedures.
Ensure that investigation and report records in the AIC’s investigation document filing
system are complete and up-to-date.
Maintain investigator training records.
MANAGER INVESTIGATION OPERATIONS – POSITION DESCRIPTION