Background

Our client, The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a major midstream development spanning Uganda and Tanzania. It includes the construction and operation of a nearshore Marine Tanks and Terminals (MTT) facility in Tanzania. Once completed, the EACOP Company will operate a 1,443 km electrically heated crude oil export pipeline, transporting crude oil from Kabaale–Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanga Port in Tanzania for export to international markets.

The Drone Team Coordinator operates within a complex and dynamic environment encompassing critical pipeline infrastructure, operational facilities, remote field locations, and maritime export assets across Tanzania. The role requires effective coordination with security personnel, operations teams, contractors, civil aviation authorities, and other key stakeholders to ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient deployment of drone operations in support of EACOP activities. The position demands strong planning and organisational capabilities, sound technical expertise, and a high level of commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. The role is based in the assigned country (Uganda or Tanzania) and involves frequent travel to EACOP operational sites and facilities.

Principle Responsibilities

1. Drone Operations

• Plan, schedule and oversee drone missions supporting security and operational activities.
• Ensure effective surveillance coverage of EACOP operational facilities and critical infrastructure.
• Support patrol verification, route monitoring and situational awareness activities.
• Provide aerial support to incident response, investigations and emergency situations.
• Maintain a record of all drone operations and mission results.
• Ensure compliance with approved operational procedures and flight authorizations.
• Coordinate drone activities with Security, Operations, HSE and other departments as required

2. Compliance and Safety

• Ensure compliance with national civil aviation regulations and operating permits.
• Ensure all drone operations comply with Company HSE requirements and risk management processes.

3. Information Management

• Ensure proper collection, storage and dissemination of drone imagery, video footage and operational data.
• Produce reports and briefings based on drone observations and mission outcomes.
• Support the Security Team with aerial intelligence products and trend analysis.

4. Training and Development

• Participate in the development and implementation of drone training programmes.
• Ensure drone operators maintain required qualifications, certifications and competencies.
• Promote best practices and continuous improvement in drone operations

5. Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with national aviation authorities and relevant government agencies when required.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to support operational and security requirements.
• Support audits, inspections and assessments relating to drone activities.

Accountability:

To contribute to the safe and secure operation of EACOP assets through:

• Effective coordination and supervision of drone operations.
• Compliance with aviation regulations and Company standards.
• Delivery of reliable aerial surveillance and intelligence support.
• Safe management of drone systems and service providers.
• Effective support to security operations, incident response and emergency management.
• Timely reporting and dissemination of drone-generated information.
• Continuous improvement of drone operational capability and performance.
• Protection of personnel, assets and critical infrastructure through enhanced situational awareness.

Requirements

• Degree or Diploma in Aviation, Security Management, Engineering or related discipline.
• Remote Pilot Aircraft System (RPAS) Licence.
• Recognized Drone Pilot Certification
• Experience in Oil & Gas, critical infrastructure or industrial operations preferred.
• Experience coordinating drone contractors and service providers.
• Experience in aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering and emergency response support.
• Experience operating within regulated aviation environments.
• Knowledge of international Security best practices, i.e. ICoCa, ASIS International Protection of Assets, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) reference material, and ANSI/API STANDARD 780, International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code),
• Competence in using Security Risk Assessment tools in accordance with ISO 31010:2011, threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA),
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Voluntary Principles of Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) including its reference material - UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, and the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials,
• In-depth knowledge of ISO18788:2015, ISO28007-1:2015.

• Plan, schedule and oversee drone missions supporting security and operational activities.
• Ensure effective surveillance coverage of EACOP operational facilities and critical infrastructure.
• Support patrol verification, route monitoring and situational awareness activities.
• Provide aerial support to incident response, investigations and emergency situations.
• Maintain a record of all drone operations and mission results.
• Ensure compliance with approved operational procedures and flight authorizations.
• Coordinate drone activities with Security, Operations, HSE and other departments as required
• Ensure compliance with national civil aviation regulations and operating permits.
• Ensure all drone operations comply with Company HSE requirements and risk management processes.
• Ensure proper collection, storage and dissemination of drone imagery, video footage and operational data.
• Produce reports and briefings based on drone observations and mission outcomes.
• Support the Security Team with aerial intelligence products and trend analysis.
• Participate in the development and implementation of drone training programmes.
• Ensure drone operators maintain required qualifications, certifications and competencies.
• Promote best practices and continuous improvement in drone operations
• Liaise with national aviation authorities and relevant government agencies when required.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to support operational and security requirements.
• Support audits, inspections and assessments relating to drone activities.

• Remote Pilot Aircraft System (RPAS) Licence.
• Recognized Drone Pilot Certification
• Experience coordinating drone contractors and service providers.
• Experience in aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering and emergency response support.
• Experience operating within regulated aviation environments.
• Knowledge of international Security best practices, i.e. ICoCa, ASIS International Protection of Assets, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) reference material, and ANSI/API STANDARD 780, International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code),
• Competence in using Security Risk Assessment tools in accordance with ISO 31010:2011, threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA),
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Voluntary Principles of Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) including its reference material - UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, and the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials,
• In-depth knowledge of ISO18788:2015, ISO28007-1:2015.

• Degree or Diploma in Aviation, Security Management, Engineering or related discipline.
• Remote Pilot Aircraft System (RPAS) Licence.
• Recognized Drone Pilot Certification