Specialist Human Factors at ATNS

Job description

Human factors investigation -

• Investigate and analyse human factor problems and aspects within the operations environment as well as during incident investigations:  
• Participate in incident investigations; Analyse incident review reports to determine possible human behavioural causes and contributing factors; Research and propose recommendations to address identified shortcomings; Maintain a database of causal factors; Identify aspects to be included in training and awareness programmes;
• Support and monitor implementation of corrective actions related to human factors.  Translate findings into reference information and recommendations to guide Air Traffic Management and safety policies, processes, programmes and decisions.

Maintain the ATNS Safety Management System -

• Provide inputs into the development, maintenance and promotion of the safety management system; Participate in incident investigations; Analyse incident review reports to determine human factors causes and contributing factors; Research and propose recommendations to address the identified shortcomings; Maintain a database of causal factors; Conduct a periodic review of the safety policies against relevant regulations to ensure ongoing compliance; Continuously monitor safety trends and provide recommendations as required;
• Ensure that all relevant infrastructure projects meet human factors and ergonomics requirements; Identify aspects to be included in training and awareness programmes informing the spectrum of human performance knowledge and skill as well as corporate human factors interventions;
• Support and monitor implementation of corrective actions related to human factors. When necessary, translate findings into reference information and recommendations to guide policies, programmes and decisions of Air Traffic Management.

Conduct human factors awareness programmes -  

• Introduce a human performance focus within safety practices and assist in the development and implementation of human factors awareness programmes and training for all ATNS personnel involved in safety management; Maintain regular interaction with ATA regarding the contents of the TRM course and other human factors training initiatives;
• Develop training interventions that will assist with human effectiveness in the system’s safety and efficiency performance; Conduct the relevant training identified from research and incident investigations at the ATA and at unit level as well as where the opportunity for external skill transfer has been identified by the ATA; Establish and maintain an awareness and understanding of the impact of human behaviours on work performance and safety management throughout the organization;
• Conduct awareness talks and programmes as requested by unit management; Evaluate effectiveness of training and interventions; Support the design, implementation and facilitation of safety programmes (CISM, TRM, FRM, safety leadership coaching programmes).

Human factors research and improvement recommendations -

• Conduct international best practice and benchmarking activities into human factors within aviation operations; Conduct research regarding human factors and produce recommendations for improvement within the operational environment; Research material from organisations such as ICAO, CANSO, Flight Safety Foundation, FAA, NATS, EUROCONTROL etc.;
• Incorporate relevant concepts and ideas into the ATNS SMS and TRM course; Recommend improvements to the ATM system; actions and procedures to the Operational management team; Implement approved human performance interventions to improve the ATNS SMS; Maintain and analyse relevant statistics of human factors incidents and corrective actions; Measure and document improvements of system efficiency and safety as well as human productivity, performance and well-being as a result of human factor interventions;
• Provide human factors input when new systems / equipment is implemented within the ATM system;  Evaluate the current safety culture to determine the gap between current and that of a “just” organizational culture, produce report and present to management); Facilitate the development of solutions to areas not characteristic of a mature safety culture within operations. Produce recommendations and improvements to the organizational culture that is within the sphere of influence of the Safety, Standards and Regulations section.

Human factors and safety surveys/reviews -

• Conduct unit surveys/reviews to identify specific safety & human factors concerns; Compile safety survey reports containing observations identifying systemic failures within the system; Incorporate ICAO Human Factors requirements into surveys; Identify and implement appropriate corrective action in close collaboration with  Operations departments;
• Monitor these activities periodically and during follow-up surveys; Conduct data analysis to identify trends arising from safety surveys; Conduct re-assessments to confirm that implemented recommendations were successful/effective.

Produce quarterly lessons learnt reports and periodic articles -

• Liaise with ISS and TSS to identify the lessons to be learned through safety event investigations; Compile articles for the safety-net publication and other relevant safety-learning publications; Compile other material to publish for sharing lessons learnt through other platforms (yammer etc.); Assist Manager Human performance to co-ordinate process for publication of the safety-net publication.

Stakeholder relations management -

• Represent ATNS at relevant human factors fora in South Africa and internationally; Attend national, regional and global aviation industry meetings, forums and work groups on human performance-related issues; Attend meetings with the ATM community;  Liaise with HC regarding human factors issues;
• Continuously provide feedback on the organizational climate, safety culture and promotion of a ‘Just Culture’ within ATNS; Provide inputs into and deliver Safety Management System training as required to ensure the required competence of relevant staff; Develop and maintain sound relationships with all internal and external stakeholders such the SACAA and Airport authorities and others as required; Provide feedback to external clients and the SACAA on all related enquiries.

Minimum requirements

Minimum Formal Qualifications: 

• Bachelors degree in psychology/industrial psychology / sociology or any relevant human factors degree
• Any safety or human factors-related short courses/training
• Full comprehension of ICAO/Civil Aviation Legislation and Standards and Recommended Practices will be an added advantage. 
• Honours degree with psychology/industrial psychology or human factors as subjects will be an advantage.

 Minimum Years of Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of research experience plus approximately 2 years’ experience in training and facilitation of which at least a minimum of 3 years of experience in an operational environment.
• Experience in basic counselling techniques within individual and group dynamics context