1.1 SAFETY MANAGER (SM)

This position reports directly to the Accountable Manager.

1.1.1 Overall, Purpose:

(a) The Safety Manager is responsible for providing guidance and direction for the planning, implementation and operation of the organization’s safety management system (SMS).

(b) The Safety Manager accepts full responsibility for the satisfactory implementation and management of the safety management system.

1.1.2 Key Roles:

(a) Safety advocate - demonstrates an excellent safety behaviour and attitude, follows regulatory practices and rules, recognizes and reports hazards and promotes effective safety reporting.

(b) As a Leader, models and promotes an organizational culture that fosters safety practices through effective leadership.

(c) Communicator - acts as an information conduit to bring safety issues to the attention of management and to deliver safety information to the organization’s staff, contractors and stakeholders. Provides and articulates information regarding safety issues within the organization.

(d) Developer - assists in the continuous improvement of the hazard identification and safety risk assessment schemes and the organization’s SMS.

(e) Builds and maintains an excellent working relationship between the organization’s Senior Management the safety office.

(f) Analyses technical data for trends related to hazards, events and occurrences.

(g) Effectively utilizes applicable processes and procedures to fulfil roles and responsibilities. Investigates opportunities to increase the efficiency of processes. Measures the effectiveness and seeks to continually improve the quality of processes.

1.1.3 Responsibilities:

(a) Ensure that the air service operates in a safe, reliable and secure manner. Taking responsibility for safety risks and security threats to operations within the WGC.

(b) Ensure that WESTAIR complies with the provisions of the Namibian Civil Aviation Offences Act, as amended and the Namibian Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.

(c) Ensure that all personnel have the appropriate knowledge, qualifications, skills, experience and training to perform or supervise their assigned duties in respect of Civil Aviation Safety.

(d) Review, in conjunction with the relevant responsible person, this Manual as and when required.

(e) Ensure that all or any accidents and/or incidents, which might be related to flight safety, are reported and that the appropriate form is filled out correctly and that all the required information has been furnished in the said form.

(f) Implementation and maintenance of an Aviation Safety Programme.

(g) Conduct regular audits on the flight safety in organisation.

(h) The position requires the ability to cope with changing circumstances and situations with little supervision.

(i) The Flight Safety Manager acts independently of other managers within the organization.

(j) The Safety Manager is the Chairman of the WESTAIR FOQA Committee as described in the SMS manual.

(k) The Safety Manager is responsible for providing information and advice to senior management and to the Accountable Executive on matters relating to safe operations. Tact, diplomacy and a high degree of integrity are prerequisites.

(l) The job requires flexibility because assignments may be undertaken with little or no notice and outside normal work hours.

(m) Monitor implementation of safety actions as recommended

(n) Have responsibility and authority to make decisions regarding risk tolerability with respect to the safety of aircraft operations.

1.1.4 Nature and Scope:

(a) The Safety Manager must interact with operational personnel, senior managers and departmental heads throughout the organization. The Safety Manager should also foster positive relationships with regulatory authorities, agencies and service providers outside the organization. Other contacts will be established at a working level as appropriate.

1.1.5 General Functions:

(a) The Safety Manager is responsible for the development and maintenance of an effective SMS.

(b) The Safety Manager also advises the Accountable Manager and line managers on matters regarding safety management and is responsible for coordinating and communicating safety issues within the organization, as well as with external agencies, contractors and stakeholders as appropriate.

(i) Managing the SMS implementation plan on behalf of the Accountable Manager.

(ii) Performing/facilitating hazard identification and safety risk analysis.

(iii) Monitoring corrective actions and evaluating their results.

(iv) Providing periodic reports on the organization’s safety performance.

(v) Maintaining records and safety documentation.

(vi) Planning and organizing staff safety training.

(vii) Providing independent advice on safety matters.

(viii) Monitoring safety concerns in the aviation industry and their perceived impact on the organization’s operations aimed at service delivery.

(ix) Coordinating and communicating (on behalf of the Accountable Manager) with the State’s oversight authority and other State agencies as necessary on issues relating to safety; and

(x) Coordinating and communicating (on behalf of the Accountable Manager) with international agencies on issues relating to safety.

(d) The Accountable Manager undertakes that he will take any actions as may be required to exercise his responsibilities and to give effect to his commitment to safety and reliability of the operator's air service operations. The Responsibilities and Authority of the Safety Manager shall be delegated to the Flight Safety Officer in his absence. During this period the Flight Safety Officer shall assume all the aforementioned responsibilities and authority, which normally vests with the absent Accountable manager. This delegation shall, whenever possible, be done in writing, but in the event that it cannot be accomplished the delegation shall be automatic.

1.1.6 The Safety Manager shall furthermore have the authority to:

(a) Stop or prohibit any action or operation, which could jeopardise civil aviation safety. The Safety Officer has the authority to contact the AM directly if a situation, in his opinion, warrants it.

(b) Stop or prohibit any action that is unsafe or unreliable.

(c) To manage the following areas related to Company FLIGHT SAFETY regarding the establishment, administration and maintenance of high operational standards:

(d) To strive towards safety and commercial efficiency in every endeavour.

(e) To function as an Advisor, without executive powers, to the AM, providing information and advice regarding all aspects of corporate safety.

(f) To manage any form of confidential reporting addressed to the MS with the utmost confidentiality, maintain trustworthiness and ensure an unhindered flow of safety information to the MS.

(g) To conduct a programme of continuous monitoring of ALL company operations to ensure compliance with all relevant rules, regulations and instructions as required by:

(h) The State of Registry.

(i) Any other state wherein a company aircraft or flight is operating.

(ii) The Company.

(i) Administration of Flight Safety records.

(j) To advise the AM on all aspects regarding the Company SMS.

(k) Plan, design and develop, and implement FLIGHT SAFETY Policies, Procedures and Programmes relating to all areas of responsibility of SAFETY OFFICE.

(l) To arrange special training for flight crew members, including emergencies and survival training, hazardous materials trainings, cockpit resource management, occupational health and first aid.

(m) Establish and maintain a Safety Committee which includes the AO as Chairman and appoint highly motivated, qualified persons and trained Safety Officers who are working in the following sections:

(n) Flight Safety Officer (representing the Offices of the Chief Pilot, Chief Flying Instructor and Flight Operations Manager), and.

1.1.7 Maintenance Safety Officer (representing the Maintenance office).

1.1.7.1 Administration Safety Officer (representing the Administration office):

(a) Hold quarterly meetings with the flight safety committee.

(b) Participate in any other committee as agreed with the AM.

(d) Feedback and Company Internal Communications Service (Briefing Notices & Operating Instructions):

(e) Provide regular feedback at meetings to all the different interest groups in the company regarding FLIGHT SAFETY.

(f) Draw up on behalf of the AM written communications regarding FLIGHT SAFETY, to be authorized and then issued via company’s internal communications service.

1.1.8 Liaison Functions:

(a) Liaise with other functional offices within the company.

(b) Liaise with the NCAA on all FLIGHT SAFETY related matters.

(d) Participate in industry associations, conferences and meetings, especially in the field of FLIGHT SAFETY.

(e) To establish and maintain rapport with Corporate Executives, Customers and Industry Associates.

1.1.9 Financial Responsibility:

(a) Maintain budget responsibility for SM.

(b) Perform any other financial functions as agreed with the AM.

1.1.10 Flying Duties:

(a) To be present on company flights on a limited basis, preferably as an operating pilot.

1.1.11 Additional Duties:

(a) Conduct any special project or accept additional responsibilities as agreed with the AM.

1.1.12 Experience

(a) The Safety Manager ideally will have at least 3 years aviation experience, in either one or more of the following areas:

(i) Aircraft Flight Operations,

(ii) Aircraft and/or Component Airworthiness and Aircraft Maintenance,

(iii) Aircraft Manufacturing

1.1.13 Qualifications

(a) The SM has successfully completed the following courses:

(i) A CAA recognised Safety Management course recognised by ,

(ii) Aviation Auditor course,

(iii) Occurrence/Incident/Accident Investigation course, (Recommended)

(b) And holds or have held one of the following:

1.1.14 Commercial Pilot License or Air Transport Pilot License for at least 3 years, or

(i) Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s Qualification or

(ii) Cabin Crew License

(iii) Have 3 years’ experience in a flight safety department

Applications close on 30 April 2025. Westair is an equal opportunity employer.