UN jobs

[46Phrog]

Does anyone have any insight or know where to begin looking for a job flying with the UN? Rotorcraft CPL/CFII

[bellboy]

Dear 46Phrog, during my time working with the UN, they did not employ pilots directly. They signed contracts with operating companies and the pilots worked for these. They do have staff who have some responsibility for aviation but, not piloting. The majority of the helicopter support is provided by Eastern European or Russian operators for cost reasons.

[Sir Niall Dementia]

46Phrog;

My experience is the same as that of bellboy. I worked on several UN contracts during the 90's, each time we flew for our regular employer on a UN contract. PM me if you want, I do (did) have a contact within the aviation contracting side of the UN. But as bellboy says, it is mostly eastern european operators and equipment these days due to cost.

SND

[krypton_john]

Um... does that cost saving mean a statistically significant safety penalty?

[Sir Niall Dementia]

kypton john;

Surely you couldn't be suggesting that cheap equals lower standards? After the oil companies always want cheap and shout safety from the rooftops.................................:E

SND

[hueyracer]

You cannot be a pilot for the UN-they don´t have aircraft.

They are contracting companies that provide aircrafts and pilots....

You can however apply for UN-jobs that might require you being (or have been) a pilot....you´d then work in an office in an admin position.......

[46Phrog]

Thanks bellboy & hueyracer- much appreciated.

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

46Phrog,

If you plan on applying for a non flying position that has a previous flying experience requirement don't hold your breath and definitely look for a stopgap if you need the money. The UN Job portal (called Inspira) is a minefield; you have to register on it, set up an online CV which is extremely comprehensive, then apply to be placed on the Consultant register (the majority of aviation related positions are classified as Consultant roles).

That process takes weeks. Then you can apply for positions after which you have to wait months. You don't get any reply if the position you applied for is filled from the register (ie internally), only if you have progressed to the next level.

Normally that would be an online examination of your generic aviation knowledge (types of cloud, explanation of relative humidity etc), and then you again wait weeks or months to see if you have passed. If not then no reply ! :rolleyes:

And so it goes on. I would advise anyone considering this to have more than one string to their bow.

NEO

[Tango123]

Phrog - you would have to look at some of the operators and send them an application.

http://www.heli-aviation.de/en.html

Heliaviation is one of them, flying mostly for UN, not sure of terms and conditions, though.

But normally, and especially now, they are not looking for pilots without TR, and experience, since the offshore sector have dismissed so many....

[46Phrog]

Well, the process sounds like a lot of fun, NEO:) I have patience, so I think I'll give it a go and see what happens. I'm pretty happy with my EMS gig, but looking for that sort of adventure. I watched a handful of UN birds operate around us in East Timor while we were there flying rice into the mountains (Navy). Always wondered since then.
Thanks Tango, I'll check 'em out.

[hueyracer]

Again-those UN-jobs on Inspira are NOT flying jobs.

They are "admin jobs"-you might be the guy ending up tasking the contracted air crews...

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Thank you huey, I was wondering if someone had missed the point. It was early in my first sentence......... :rolleyes:

NEO

[mini]

I'm ex UN logistics. Been free for 10 years now.

My experience, for what its worth today:

Two distinct sections to the UN, DPKO (Peacekeeping - military) and Humanitarian operations. I suspect the latter is where the OP's interest lies. The UN has a multitude of Humanitarian Agencies, they operate more or less autonomously day to day, examples would be UNHCR, UNWFP, UNICEF, etc.

Air Ops tend to be Emergency Response situations, famine, natural disaster etc.

The UNWFP would be the lead agency in terms of air logistics, they shift serious amounts of stuff to the most remote locations and are experts at it.

All Humanitarian Air Ops and contracted operators were (maybe still are) monitored/approved/verified/ etc by the UNWFP air support unit in Rome. In my time all agencies had to go through these guys, even if we contracted and paid locally, the ASU was our FAA so to speak.

It worked well in my experience, they were staffed by ex real world guys, and were invaluable in sourcing and supplying switched on ATC/Dispatcher staff to a barren airfield.

It was comforting to be able to send the locally offered documentation to these guys for verification prior to spending six figure sums on a local helo contract.

Big stuff was always dealt with by them, HQ to HQ so to speak, so I'd guess they're the guys contracting anything more than the occasional local trip charter - which would still have to have their approval...

There was the beginning of a backlash against dodgy ex Soviet stuff while I was there, Mi8/17's were cargo only for example. As I've said I've been gone a decade now so not sure what goes today.

I hope its improved, in 2003 we ran a Kenyan B1900 out of BGD daily to Markka, hostile airspace inexperienced crews, no SAR plan etc...

[berlioz]

Hello

Just to correct the information....

Heli-Aviation is not working with the UN they have actually a contract with the ICRC (Red Cross).

And if someone is looking for a new opportunity now should be a good time to contact this operator.

BTW Heli-Aviation is now part of Babcock International