Safety & Quality Officer : Aviation | Transnet Careers

Transnet Vacancies – Safety & Quality Officer : Aviation

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is inviting suitably qualified and experienced aviation professionals to apply for the position of Safety & Quality Officer: Aviation. The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing, evaluating and maintaining an effective Safety and Quality Management System within the Aviation Business Unit.

The role involves ensuring compliance with internal policies, procedures and external aviation regulatory requirements while promoting continuous improvement in aviation safety, quality assurance, risk management and operational performance.

Position Purpose

The Safety & Quality Officer: Aviation will oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of the Safety and Quality Management System within TNPA’s Aviation Business Unit.

The successful candidate will ensure that aviation operations comply with applicable legislation, regulatory standards and organisational requirements. The position also involves coordinating safety and quality activities, conducting audits, managing incident investigations, facilitating risk assessments and providing management with relevant safety and quality performance information.

Key Responsibilities

1. Safety and Quality Management System

• Implement, evaluate and maintain an effective Safety and Quality Management System in accordance with internal procedures and external regulatory requirements.
• Develop, document, implement and continuously review safety and quality procedures on the Safety and Quality Management platform.
• Ensure that all procedures comply with applicable legislation, organisational policies and regulatory standards.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement within the Safety and Quality Management System.
• Ensure effective implementation and maintenance of regulatory requirements when TNPA Aviation extends its scope of approval in response to business needs.

2. Incident and Accident Management

• Establish and maintain an effective incident management process within aviation operations.
• Implement and continuously review the Incident and Accident Reporting and Investigation Programme.
• Ensure that aviation incidents are reported to the Safety and Quality Manager, Accountable Manager, relevant regulatory authorities and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
• Participate in incident and accident investigations and respond to related inquiries when required.
• Monitor investigation outcomes and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
• Conduct and review safety risk assessments to strengthen aviation safety.

3. Safety and Quality Audits

• Conduct internal and ad hoc audits in accordance with the established Safety and Quality Management System.
• Evaluate compliance with aviation safety procedures, quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Identify non-conformances and recommend appropriate corrective and preventive measures.
• Monitor the implementation of corrective actions to ensure continuous compliance and improvement.

4. Risk Assessment and Safety Management

• Plan, coordinate and conduct Safety and Quality Risk Assessments.
• Compile comprehensive risk assessment reports and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders.
• Identify operational hazards and assess potential risks affecting aviation activities.
• Recommend appropriate risk mitigation measures to improve safety and operational performance.
• Ensure that safety and quality risks are effectively managed across aviation operations and projects.

5. Safety and Quality Training

• Identify and coordinate Safety and Quality training requirements.
• Advise management on training needs relating to Air Operator Certificate (AOC), Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) and Approved Training Organisation (ATO) requirements.
• Support the development of personnel competencies in aviation safety and quality management.
• Promote awareness and understanding of safety and quality policies, procedures and regulatory obligations.

6. Safety and Quality Meetings and Reporting

• Plan, facilitate and coordinate TNPA Aviation Safety and Quality meetings.
• Provide relevant safety and quality performance data to management committees during meetings.
• Prepare and present reports on aviation safety and quality matters.
• Report to TNPA Aviation on safety performance indicators, including Disabling Injury Frequency Rate (DIFR) and Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR).
• Communicate safety concerns, audit findings, risk assessments and incident investigation outcomes to relevant management and stakeholders.

7. Project and Regulatory Compliance

• Coordinate Safety and Quality requirements for projects undertaken within the Aviation Business Unit.
• Ensure that project safety and quality activities align with business requirements and broader organisational strategic objectives.
• Monitor compliance with applicable aviation regulations and internal operational standards.
• Ensure adherence to legal and other requirements relating to safety, health and environmental management.

8. Sustainability and Environmental Management

• Participate in sustainability management initiatives within aviation operations.
• Support energy-saving initiatives and activities aimed at reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint.
• Promote environmentally responsible practices as part of the broader quality management effort.

9. Performance Management and Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in the organisational performance management process.
• Attend staff meetings when required to discuss operational performance, stakeholder concerns, customer service and business matters.
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate behaviour that reflects TNPA’s values, organisational culture, ethics and strategic objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Matric / Senior Certificate.
• Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter (CPL-H), Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Helicopter (ATPL-H), or Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licence with helicopter ratings.
• Valid driver’s licence.
• Successful completion of a South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)-approved or IATA Safety Management System (SMS) course.

Required Experience

• Minimum of three years’ experience in the aviation industry.

Advantageous Qualifications and Certifications

• An approved IATA Quality Management Course.
• ISO 9001:2008, ISO 9001:2015 or AS 9100C Lead Auditor Certification.

Required Competencies and Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs in aviation safety and quality management.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a changing operational environment.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Good communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to coordinate safety and quality activities across different operational teams.
• Strong understanding of aviation safety and regulatory compliance requirements.

Employment Equity Statement

Preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants from designated groups in accordance with TNPA’s Employment Equity Plan and the employment equity targets of the organisation and relevant operating division.