TERMS OF REFERENCE
Senior Non-Key Expert: Technical assistance – Aviation Safety Audit Specialist
Project
EU – Somalia Technical Assistance and Partnership Facility (TAPF) [NDICI Africa/2023/451-029]
Start date & duration
The role is expected to start on approximately 15.04.2025, (subject to contracting and administrative approvals) and involve up to 10 working days over a maximum period of 5 months from the date of deployment. This is extendable subject to project requirements and resourcing.
Position
These Terms of Reference refer to a Non-Key Expert (NKE, or Expert) role for an aviation safety audit specialist.
Inputs
The NKE will be contracted for up to 10 working days over a maximum period of 5 months, extendable subject to project requirements and resourcing.
Location & travel
Remote. Travel to Somalia and Kenya may be required and will be subject to the outcome of the safety audit.
Supervision
The Team Leader will supervise the role in close collaboration with the EU Delegation (EUD). Timesheets shall be approved by the Team Leader and EUD.
1. BACKGROUND
The European Union – Somalia Technical Assistance and Partnership Facility (TAPF, or the Facility) is a three-year initiative to support the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Somalia’s engagement and cooperation with Somalia and make progress towards the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. The Facility commenced in January 2024. It is being implemented through a service contract held between the EUD and DAI Global Belgium (DAI) and operates from its offices in Mogadishu and Nairobi.
The TAPF has three main result areas, including: i) to strengthen capacity of the Government of Somalia at State and Federal levels, in particular (but not limited to) Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development (MoPIED), to plan and deliver FGS priorities, plans and aspirations;
ii) provide specialist and demand-driven expertise to EUD on programming /project management cycle of its cooperation activities with Somalia; and,
iii) Enhance partnerships and policy dialogue on key topics for EU – Somalia cooperation.
The Facility is tasked with delivery of a range of activities structured around these three result areas to FGS and FMS institutions, select non-state actors and the EUD, including technical studies and analysis, policy and planning advice, and programming advice on cross-cutting themes, project/programme design, monitoring and evaluation, and multi-stakeholder engagement activities.
2. EU FLIGHT TO SOMALIA
The EUD has contracted AirTraffic Ltd to provide scheduled air transport services for both passengers and light cargo between Nairobi and Somalia, as well as ad-hoc flight services within Somalia as needed. The objective of this contract is to provide air transport services to and within Somalia to support the continued cooperation and engagement of EU, EU Member States and other stakeholders in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. The specific objectives of the contract is facilitate the smooth and efficient implementation of EU cooperation, engagement, and public diplomacy in Somalia.
The contractor’s responsibilities include providing a fully compliant service with an EASA-certified aircraft and meeting all operational requirements, such as:
- Aircraft maintenance, flight operations, aviation safety management and related programs (AMO, AOC)
- Security measures at departure/arrival points
- Full insurance coverage (hull, war risk, third-party liability, passenger/cargo insurance)
- Staff, facilities, and equipment to operate bases in Nairobi and Mogadishu
- Passenger and cargo handling services, including check-in procedures
Scope of the work is more detailed in the EU Flight to Somalia Terms of Reference as presented in Annexe 1.
3. ASSIGNMENT SCOPE
The purpose of this assignment is to engage an Aviation Safety Audit Specialist to assist the EUD in ensuring the safety and compliance of the EU flight operations to and from Somalia. The Specialist will work under the supervision of the Team Leader and closely with the EUD to achieve the following objectives:
- Prepare the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the safety audit of the EU flight operations.
- Review the quality and comprehensiveness of the safety audit report once it is completed.
- Support follow-up actions on corrective measures and track their implementation based on audit findings.
The scope of the TOR will encompass all elements that directly or indirectly impact the safe operation of the flight services, including but not limited to:
- ep4r1c1 BoYWjK
- Maintenance and related Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) and related programs.
- Air Operator Certificate (AOC) related programmes such as flight and ground operations including in-flight observations, safety management system, training and related programmes.
- Cabin safety, including emergency procedures and equipment.
- Transportation of dangerous goods, ensuring compliance with international aviation safety standards.
- Aviation occupational health and safety, addressing the wellbeing of crew and passengers.
3.1 Specific Activities
The Expert will be required to carry out the following key activities under the supervision of the Team Leader:
- Develop the Terms of Reference for a comprehensive safety audit of the EU flight operations, ensuring that the document is output-focused. The TOR should clearly define specific, measurable, and achievable outputs that align with the audit objectives. These outputs should address all critical safety areas, such as flight operations, maintenance, cabin safety, security, and compliance with international standards. The expert must use the attached standard template to structure the TOR (Annex 2).
- Review the safety audit report to assess the adequacy, quality, and depth of the findings.
- Assist in follow-up and monitoring of corrective actions, ensuring timely and effective implementation of corrective measures in response to identified audit findings.
3.2 Target Groups
The main stakeholders for this specific deliverable and process are the Flight Operator AirTraffic Ltd, EU Delegation and users of the EU flight.
4. DELIVERABLES AND REPORTING
- Draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for the safety audit, outlining objectives, scope, and methodology.
- Quality Review Report on the safety audit, providing an assessment of the audit’s thoroughness, clarity, and compliance with the ToR and industry standards.
- A report on the corrective actions resulting from the safety audit.
The working language will be English.
5. LOGISTICS
The role will be remote based. Travel to Somalia and Kenya may be required and will be subject to the outcome of the safety audit.
6. EXPERT SELECTION CRITERIA
6.1 Standard TAPF criteria for all Senior category NKE
§ Education of at least Masters’ degree, or a Bachelors’ degree with an additional two years of general professional experience.
§ At least 12 years’ general experience with expertise in one or more areas such as gender analyses, conflict analysis, human rights, political economy, sustainable environment, climate change adaptation and natural resources management, migration, displacement and/or social protection other sectors targeted by the EU-Somalia Multi-Annual Indicative Programme.
§ At least three years professional experience in a country listed under appendices 4 and 5 of EU PRAG Annex A2a1 Eligibility programmes 2021-2027 [2] (i.e. least developed and low income countries).
§ Experience with EU sectorial policies and external cooperation.
§ Proficiency in English language (reading, speaking and writing).
§ Preferred experience working in other fragile and conflict affected countries.
6.2 Assignment specific criteria
§ Strong industry knowledge and strategic insight, demonstrated through extensive experience working in the aviation sector;
§ Certification or training in aviation safety auditing such as IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) or the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). In addition, a degree or diploma in aviation, engineering, management, or a related field would be an asset.
7. ANNEXES
Annex 1: EU Flight to Somalia Terms of Reference
Annex 2: Standard template for Terms of Reference
