ATSU Manager (Air Traffic Services Unit) - Upington Airport at ATNS

Major Activities

• Align daily operations with Regional Operations goals and objectives, ensuring multidisciplinary coordination across the entire Air Traffic Services Unit. Facilitate the execution of the Air Traffic Service Unit's business plan in order to support achievement of Regional Operations business targets and objectives. 
• Collaborate with the Head of Operations in strategic and operational planning, providing insights from the ATSU Manager's perspective. Manage the ongoing provision of Air Traffic Services ensuring compliance with aviation regulations and legislation to support the achievement of Regional Operations targets and objectives. 
• Manage and oversee the utilisation and control of the aeronautical communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) system and infrastructure to ensure safe and orderly air traffic flow in the designated airspace. Monitor the CNS system and infrastructure on a continuous basis to ensure that it is in good working order and effectively maintained. 
• Ensure that the Air Traffic Services Unit (ATSU) provides safe, orderly, and efficient Air Traffic Services (ATS) in accordance with ICAO standards and Recommended Practices, which will meet and satisfy all reasonable requirements of the aviation community in accordance with relevant ATS policies and processes. Lead the development, implementation and management of the Air Traffic Services Unit business plan and ensure that governance and service management requirements, as well as the service catalogue and service level agreements are met. Manage the implementation of the aviation safety management strategy and processes. 
• Support the delivery of the required projects/initiatives within the Air Traffic Service Unit to be on time, within budget and to the required standard. Continuously monitor the performance of all operational activities within the Air Traffic Services Unit, using real-time data and feedback to assess and ensure consistent adherence to required standards and regulations. Identify potential areas of synergy between different units, encouraging cross-unit collaboration and knowledge sharing to enhance overall Centre performance.
•  Regularly review operational protocols and procedures, updating them as necessary to reflect best practice and the latest regulatory guidelines. To lead the ongoing provision of Air Traffic Services to achieve Regional Operations targets and objectives in compliance with aviation regulations and relevant legislation. To manage and oversee the utilisation and control of the aeronautical communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) system and infrastructure to ensure safe and orderly air traffic flow in the designated airspace. 
• To ensure that the Air Traffic Services Unit (ATSU) provides safe, orderly, and efficient Air Traffic Services (ATS) in accordance with ICAO standards and Recommended Practices, which will meet and satisfy all reasonable requirements of the aviation community in accordance with relevant ATS policies and processes. Ensure the effective integration and utilisation of all resources to meet the service delivery capabilities required, aligning with customer expectations and operational demands. Enforce strict adherence to South African Civil Aviation Regulations, Technical Standards, and the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Standards and Recommended Practices.
• Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance: Investigate reports of non-compliance with regulations and procedures, providing detailed feedback and recommendations for corrective actions to relevant parties. Participate in rating and validation examinations, highlighting any discrepancies, and ensuring the adherence to standard procedures. Continuously monitor and identify any trends or indicators of potential deterioration in safety or service levels, implementing proactive plans to maintain high standards.
• Operations Management and Training: Supervise air traffic services continually, assisting with oversight in various areas of the ATSU. Lead and oversee operational training within the ATSU, recommending staff for Designated Examiner certification and ensuring high standards of proficiency and knowledge. Develop, maintain, and review the air traffic service’s Station Standing Instructions, policies, procedures, service level agreements, and procedural documents, ensuring they are up-to-date and in compliance with current regulations.
• Multidisciplinary Briefings: Conduct regular, detailed briefings with representatives from all operational units, ensuring everyone is informed about current operational statuses, imminent changes, or notable events. Use these briefings to reinforce a culture of transparency and open communication, where challenges, successes, and strategies are shared and discussed collaboratively. Ensure that critical information, such as changes in regulations, technological updates, or lessons learned from incident reviews, is disseminated promptly and clearly to all relevant parties.
• Coordination with CAMU and Aeronautical Information Management: Where applicable, establish a strong, collaborative relationship with the CAMU’s Air Traffic Flow Specialist, working together to develop and implement strategies for efficient air traffic flow. Provide the CAMU with accurate, timely data and feedback, enabling them to make well-informed decisions that contribute to smooth, efficient air traffic flow management. Stay informed of broader airspace management trends and developments, ensuring the unit's practices are aligned with national and international standards. Manage and implement Aeronautical Information Management systems, enhancing the support level and efficiency of Air Traffic Service delivery. Actively engage in the review of legislation impacting Air Traffic Services, providing informed inputs and advocating for operational needs and safety considerations.
• Client Experience and Continuous Improvement: Ensure communications with all parties maintain the highest standards of clarity, empathy, and timeliness, fostering positive experiences and trust. Identify and recommend improvements in processes and procedures, focusing on innovation, research, and the commercial viability of new initiatives.
• Emergency Response and Incident Management: Develop, maintain, and regularly test comprehensive emergency response plans, ensuring all staff are trained and prepared to execute their roles effectively under crisis conditions. Lead the response to emergencies or major operational disruptions, coordinating efforts across all relevant units and maintaining clear, authoritative communication throughout the incident. Conduct thorough post-incident reviews to identify causes, assess the effectiveness of the response, and develop strategies for improvement. Support and oversee investigations into air traffic incidents, recommending and implementing appropriate actions, and ensuring lessons are learned and integrated into future operations. Appropriate feedback to be liaised with the Head Operations. Ensure that aviation safety recommendations, measures and value-added initiatives are consistently delivered, monitored, and enhanced.

Operational Proficiency and Examination Preparations: 

• Prepare and issue unit orders and local knowledge questionnaires for rating and validation examinations, ensuring comprehensive knowledge assessments. Maintain operational proficiency of personnel by standing watch in various operating positions, setting a standard of continuous personnel development. 
• Support the Head of Operations with the implementation of the approved governance framework for the ATS Unit. Ensure real-time compliance by continuously monitoring and measuring compliance of air traffic services at the ATS Unit in order to meet all ATNS policies, processes and relevant legislation and regulation. Identify and assess operational risks and implement mitigation plans and actions to ensure effective risk and issue management. 
• Consolidate input from all relevant parties to prepare management reports for the Head of Operations and other relevant stakeholders. Prepare ad hoc reports as required. Develop, manage and maintain sound relationships with all relevant stakeholders through ongoing communication and engagement. 
• Participate in industry and regulatory forums and workgroups on a local, regional, and national level as required. Build and maintain sound working relationships with all relevant business functions and teams within ATNS to enable collaboration and alignment required for optimal Air Traffic Management, including CAMU, ARCC, AMC (where applicable), relevant Airport Authority, FRS, and others. 
• Manage delegated expenditure in line with business priorities and objectives, and within approved financial parameters. Participate in the development, utilisation, and management of the Air Traffic Service Unit’s budget. Provide inputs into the budget and ensure effective management of operational costs to enable optimal utilisation of financial resources. Report all costs incurred against the approved budget as well as any possible deviations thereto. 
• Ensure compliance to the relevant Finance policies and processes of ATNS. In conjunction with ATS Capacity Planning, ensure the availability of skilled and competent staff the Air Traffic Services Unit to meet current and future business needs. Develop and implement staffing strategies that are responsive to fluctuating traffic patterns and other variable operational demands, ensuring optimal workforce allocation at all times. 
• Manage employees in accordance with HC policies and processes. Ensure that new employees have been properly on-boarded prior to commencing work. Monitor the time and attendance of subordinates, take appropriate action in the case of absenteeism, and report absenteeism issues to management and Human Capital. Ensure high levels of discipline and performance to achieve service delivery objectives. 
• Coordinate and ensure resourcing deliverables in line with the Service Level Agreements. Manage performance outputs of the team by using the performance management system and taking corrective action promptly and effectively. Train, mentor and coach staff as required to ensure continuous development and availability of the required skills and talent. Ensure the transfer of knowledge and skills to enable sustainability within team/pool from a succession management perspective. Conduct talent reviews in line with the HC Talent Management process. Drive employee engagement and retention within the Air Traffic Services Unit.

Minimum requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Air traffic control qualification (aerodrome control)
• Management Development Program, which can be completed within 12 months of appointment.
• OJTI

Added Advantage:

• Air traffic control qualification (Approach control)
• Tertiary qualification in Business Management, Aviation Management, Operations, or any relevant field
• Train-the-Trainer qualification

Minimum Experience

• Minimum 5 years ATS experience of which two years must be as an ATCO, and two years on-the-job instructional training (OJTI qualified)