The Head of HSSQ is responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous enforcement of the airport’s integrated Management Systems covering Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), Aviation Security (AVSEC), Operational Safety, and Quality Assurance. This role ensures that all airport operations, facilities, and third-party stakeholders strictly comply with international civil aviation standards (ICAO, IATA), national transport security laws, and environmental regulations, minimizing corporate liability and operational risk.
Job Description
Responsibilities
SMS Implementation: Maintain and continuously update the airport's mandated Safety Management System (SMS) framework to achieve an acceptable level of safety performance.
Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA): Lead systematic risk assessments across airside, terminal, and landside environments to preemptively mitigate hazards.
Incident Investigation: Serve as the chief investigator for all airside accidents, personal injuries, or near-misses. Conduct root-cause analysis (using methodologies like the fishbone diagram or 5-Whys) and submit mandatory reports to LCAA
Occupational Health: Oversee workplace hygiene, noise monitoring, ergonomic safety, and chemical hazard controls for all airport employees.
Aviation Security (AVSEC) Compliance
National Security Programs: Ensure the airport’s security measures align perfectly with the National Civil Aviation Security Program (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17.
Quality Control for Security: Independently audit passenger screening lines, access control points, perimeter fencing, and biometric systems to detect vulnerabilities before state regulators do.
Threat & Vulnerability Assessment: Continuously analyze intelligence feeds and update the airport's security risk profile to counter emerging threats (e.g., cyber-physical threats, drone intrusions).
Quality Assurance (QA) & Continuous Improvement
Compliance Auditing: Schedule and execute rigorous internal quality audits across all departments (Operations, Facilities, Ground Handling) and external partners (Airlines, Concessionaires). Prepare Performance reports to LCAA
ISO Certification: Obtain and maintain the airport's corporate certifications, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management).
SLA & Standard Validation: Validate that operational performance matches documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Education & Experience
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Aviation Management, Engineering, or a related risk-management discipline.
Experience:
7–10 years of experience in safety, security, and quality compliance management within a highly regulated heavy industry (e.g., airports, airlines, petrochemical plants, or rail networks), with at least 3 years in a senior auditing or managerial role.
Track Record:
Proven experience in highly regulated environments. Preferred previous experience on the aviation industry (minimum 3 years)
Skills & Competencies
Regulatory Experience: Knowledge of ICAO Annex 19 (Safety Management), Annex 17 (Security), and local civil aviation regulatory structures.
Analytical Auditing: Exceptional ability to review complex operations, extract data, identify systemic failures, and write legally defensible compliance reports.
Root-Cause Analysis Tools: Experience in accident investigation methodologies and predictive risk-modeling software.
Communication and team work skill: Be able to cooperate with different levels of the organization to improve performance in a positive and cooperative approach
Additional advantageous skills
Certified Lead Auditor in ISO 9001 or ISO 45001. Formally certified in ICAO/IATA Safety Management Systems (SMS) or Aviation Security (AVSEC) Professional Management (PMC) is preferred.
Reports to
Disciplinary reports to:
Airport Director
Functional reports to:
Airport Director
Direct reports
Auditor(s)
Performance indicators
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR): Minimization of workplace injuries per million hours worked.
Audit Compliance Rating: Score achieved during external Civil Aviation Authority and state security inspections (Target: Zero major non-conformances).
SMS Maturity Index: Measurable growth in the airport's proactive and predictive safety culture.
Corrective Action Closure Rate: Speed and effectiveness of closing out gaps identified during internal audits.