Passenger data expert

The Air Transport Bureau (ATB) supports Security and Facilitation; Economic Development of Air Transport; and Environmental Protection. ATB also contributes towards Safety, develops and coordinates global policy and a legal framework, manages the Aviation Security Audit Programme, and assists States in implementing security Standards and resolving deficiencies. ATB manages the Statistics Programme, generating aviation data, as well as forecasting activities and economic studies, enabling the provision of authoritative information on present and future air transport development.

The Aviation Security, Cybersecurity and Facilitation Branch (ATB/ASF) contributes to the development and coordination of a global policy and legal framework for international civil aviation with respect to aviation security, cybersecurity and facilitation, conducts audits that identify aviation security deficiencies and assists States in implementing security standards. ASF is responsible for the development, maintenance of, and advice relating to, Annex 17 — Security and Annex 9 — Facilitation.

The Facilitation (FAL) Section in the Air Transport Bureau is one of the four Sections of the Aviation Security, Cybersecurity and Facilitation Branch, charged with delivering results with respect to the ICAO Strategic Goal Aviation Delivers Seamless, Accessible and Reliable Mobility for All. It is responsible for the development and update of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) related to the facilitation of the international air transport system, found in Annex 9 — Facilitation, and for supporting Member States with their implementation of SARPs. The Section manages and oversees the work programme of the Facilitation Panel (FALP) and its working groups and directs the work of the Facilitation Division. The Section is equally responsible for activities related to the ICAO Traveller Identification Programme (ICAO TRIP) Strategy, which includes the development of specifications for Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs), published as Document 9303, the work programme of the Technical Advisory Group on the Traveller Identification Programme (TRIP) Strategy (TAG/TRIP) and its working groups, and the operation of the Public Key Directory (PKD). It provides support to the Assembly, Council, Air Transport Committee (ATC) and the PKD Board.

The incumbent reports to the Chief, Facilitation Section, seeking guidance on complex technical and managerial matters, and may be assigned to work with other colleagues within ASF. 

Provides and coordinates country-specific technical assistance under the Africa API and PNR Implementation Support Programme to strengthen participating States’ readiness for implementation of API and PNR systems, achieving results such as:

• Conduct and coordinate readiness assessments and gap analyses against applicable ICAO API and PNR requirements, covering legal, administrative, operational, technical, data-protection and implementation-capacity areas.
• Prepare State assessment reports identifying existing capabilities, priority gaps, implementation dependencies, recommended actions and capacity-building requirements.
• Support States in reviewing and strengthening legislation, regulations and administrative procedures governing the collection, transmission, use, retention, protection and sharing of API and PNR data, including relevant data-protection and cross-border data-transfer considerations.
• Develop, jointly with national implementation teams, customized National API/PNR Implementation Roadmaps setting out priorities, responsibilities, sequencing, milestones, resource requirements and capacity-building needs.
• Provide country-specific technical assistance through missions, virtual consultations, document reviews, implementation clinics and targeted mentoring to support implementation of assessment recommendations and agreed roadmap actions.
• Coordinate with national focal points, relevant public authorities, ICAO Regional Offices and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to support national ownership, effective implementation and complementarity of assistance.

Develops and maintains practical tools, methodologies and guidance materials to support consistent delivery of technical assistance under the Africa API and PNR Implementation Support Programme, achieving results such as:

• Develop and maintain an API/PNR Legal and Administrative Framework Toolkit containing model legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions, inter-agency templates, data-protection considerations and implementation checklists.
• Develop practical, step-by-step implementation guidance covering applicable API and PNR-related provisions of Annex 9 — Facilitation and associated ICAO guidance material.
• Develop standardized methodologies, assessment tools and templates for readiness assessments, gap analyses, National API/PNR Implementation Roadmaps and programme implementation activities.
• Prepare practical guidance and supporting materials on national governance structures, institutional responsibilities, inter-agency coordination and administrative arrangements required for API and PNR implementation.
• Develop supporting materials on operational and technical planning, including data acquisition and exchange requirements, interoperability, implementation sequencing and procurement readiness.
• Review and update programme tools, templates and guidance materials based on implementation experience, recurring State needs and lessons identified through programme activities.

Provides specialized technical assistance to Member States in establishing sustainable Passenger Data Single Window arrangements and strengthening operational and targeting capabilities for API and PNR implementation, achieving results such as:

• Provide technical guidance to States on the establishment of Passenger Data Single Window arrangements, including appropriate administrative structures, operating models, institutional responsibilities and inter-agency information-sharing arrangements.
• Support States in developing national targeting capabilities, including organizational structures, staffing models, watchlist management, risk assessment methodologies, analytical workflows and associated standard operating procedures.
• Assist States in defining operational and technical requirements for API and PNR systems, including data acquisition and exchange, interoperability, access controls, information flows, security requirements and operational dependencies.
• Provide technology- and procurement-neutral technical advice to support States in preparing functional and technical requirements and evaluating proposed passenger data solutions against national operational requirements and applicable ICAO provisions.
• Support the development and review of standard operating procedures, inter-agency workflows and implementation documentation required for effective operation and sustainable implementation of national API and PNR programmes.
• Promote integrated border management, inter-agency cooperation and knowledge transfer among relevant national authorities, aircraft operators and other stakeholders, including through targeted mentoring of national API/PNR implementation teams.

Coordinates and monitors ICAO API and PNR implementation support activities, promoting measurable progress, regional cooperation and sustainable implementation of passenger data programmes, achieving results such as:

• Monitor State implementation progress against agreed National API/PNR Implementation Roadmaps, milestones and performance indicators, identifying implementation constraints, emerging needs and appropriate follow-up actions.
• Conduct implementation reviews with national API/PNR teams and relevant authorities, assessing progress across legislative, administrative, operational and technical areas and providing recommendations for continued implementation.
• Coordinate regional API/PNR implementation clinics, workshops and peer-to-peer exchanges to address recurring challenges, review progress, share implementation experience and strengthen harmonized approaches among participating States.
• Identify, document and disseminate lessons learned, good practices and successful implementation approaches through the ICAO API/PNR Community of Practice and other relevant capacity-building mechanisms.
• Coordinate with ICAO Regional Offices and relevant regional and international organizations to align technical assistance with State priorities, promote complementarity, mobilize appropriate expertise and avoid duplication of implementation support.
• Prepare technical reports, management briefings and recommendations on programme progress and implementation challenges, and identify future capacity-building priorities to support national ownership, knowledge transfer and sustainability of API and PNR programmes.

Provides specialized technical expertise on ICAO Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) requirements and contributes implementation-based input to relevant ICAO passenger data activities arising from the Africa API and PNR Implementation Support Programme, achieving results such as:

• Provide technical advice on the application and implementation of API and PNR requirements contained in Annex 9 — Facilitation, ICAO Doc 9944, the WCO/IATA/ICAO API Guidelines and other relevant ICAO guidance material.
• Analyse recurring legal, administrative, operational and technical implementation issues identified through programme activities and provide practical guidance to support their resolution by participating States.
• Prepare technical analyses, implementation briefs, reports, presentations and, as required, inputs to relevant ICAO papers and documentation based on findings and experience arising from programme implementation.
• Contribute implementation-based input, as required, to relevant ICAO work concerning API and PNR guidance and supporting material, reflecting practical challenges and lessons identified through State assistance activities.
• Maintain liaison with relevant ICAO Sections and Regional Offices, and with international and regional organizations as appropriate, on API/PNR implementation matters directly related to programme activities.
• Participate in relevant ICAO, international and regional API/PNR meetings, workshops and other activities, providing technical expertise and presenting programme implementation experience, as required.

Performs other related duties, as assigned

The performance of the incumbent contributes to the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre’s (UNCCT) Project 2018-02-82 whereby selected Member States have an enhanced capacity to detect, prevent, investigate and prosecute terrorist offences and other serious crimes, and related travel, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2396 (2017), ICAO Annex 9 — Facilitation SARPs, as well as other international law obligations. The incumbent will also contribute to the effectiveness of the Facilitation Section in terms of timely accomplishment of guidance material, report and events related to API and PNR. The impact of the functions on the Organization as a whole are significant as the Member States should be enabled to fully benefit from the incumbent’s subject matter expertise in assisting in providing technical assistance on Passenger Information Unit (PIU) implementation and on the ICAO TRIP Strategy.

The incumbent is responsible, under the direction of the Chief of Facilitation Section, for her/his actions and decisions as well as for the quality of services delivered to Member States.

Essential

First level university degree, preferably in international affairs, business administration, computer science, engineering, or in a related field.

Desirable Advanced level university degree

Essential

• Considerable experience (preferably 10 years or more) of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) related issues.
• Experience in automated data processing systems and electronic data exchange capabilities.
• Technical expertise related to the UN/EDIFACT PAXLST Message and related matters.
• Technical expertise related to the PNRGOV Guidelines.
• Experience in the evaluation, assessment and/or audit of State implementation of provisions following international guidelines, regulations or best practices, preferably in the area of air transport facilitation.
• Experience in the delivery of training, provision of direct assistance to governmental authorities and/or other related capacity building work.
• Experience in inspection of State models in the areas of facilitation.
• Experience in training and capacity building work in aviation.

Desirable 

• Experience working in an airline or with airline operators, preferably in the area of air transport facilitation.

Essential

•     Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English and French.

Desirable

•     A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish)

It should be noted that this consultancy is to be filled for a period of eleven (11) months, with the possibility of extension, subject to ICAO consultancy rules, satisfactory performance, operational requirements, and availability of funding.

Please note that the daily rate is fixed at CAD 500.

The consultant may be allowed to work remotely if not based in Montréal. Frequent travel is necessary for this consultancy post.