Infrastructure Technical Expert at the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), an African Union strategic framework for pan-African socio-economic development, is both a vision and a policy framework for Africa in the twenty-first century. NEPAD is a radically new intervention, spearheaded by African leaders, to address critical challenges facing the continent: poverty, development and Africa's marginalisation internationally.

NEPAD provides unique opportunities for African countries to take full control of their development agenda, to work more closely together, and to cooperate more effectively with international partners.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Infrastructure Technical Expert

Location: Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Supervisor: Commissioner for Infrastructure, ECOWAS Commission

Objective
The recruitment of the Infrastructure Technical Expert has three (3) broad objectives:

• To enhance project preparation and bankability, as well as financing of RECs PIDA PAP priority projects, agreed with NEPAD Agency as executing agency for the PAP
• To ensure regular data collection, and updating of the PIDA PAP project profiles/fiches domiciled in AID-VPIC portal located at NEPAD Agency
• To ensure regular monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the PIDA PAP projects in line with the PIDA M&E framework and templates

Key Performance Areas
The Infrastructure Technical Expert working closely with NEPAD Agency Infrastructure Strategic Business Unit (SBU) Project team, and under the day-to-day supervision of the Commissioner for Infrastructure of the ECOWAS Commission will have the following Key Performance Areas:

• Prepare 12 months Workplan and budget based on a logical framework of relevant indicators, baselines, targets, outputs and expected outcomes.
• As part of the PIDA Core Team of the ECOWAS Commission, and, in close collaboration with national project sponsors – move the PIDA PAP projects through the project cycle, from concept to technical feasibility or commercial bankability and implementation.
• Ensure and assist ECOWAS Commission and national project sponsors - prepare technically sound “Project proposals' for submission for pre-feasibility and feasibility studies - grant funding for project preparation with PPFs
• Assist the ECOWAS Commission and national project sponsors, prepare terms of references (ToRs), Expressions of Interest (EoIs), Request for Proposals (RfPs), or Project Information Memoranda (PIMs) – to undertake technical consultancies.
• Promote and facilitate for inclusion of PIDA PAP projects in National Development Plans (NDPs), or Public Investment Plans (PIPs) of AU member states.
• Investigate and facilitate preparation or financing, of PIDA PAP projects with risksharing potential with the private sector; and make recommendations for such projects to be implemented through PPP, or private investment modalities.
• Investigate and facilitate development of innovative financing instruments, and transnational operational systems (i.e., Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and Special Purpose Public Agencies (SPPAs)) respectively - to implement and effectively manage crossborder PIDA PAP projects/programmes.
• Prepare and submit quarterly progress reports (QPRs), and, annual progress report (APR) - on the PIDA PAP projects/programmes under implementation by the ECOWAS Commission, or specialized agencies (i.e., Powerpools, Corridor organizations, and River basin organizations).

Deliverable(s)

• The Technical Expert in consultation with PIDA PAP lead agencies at national and regional level (e.g. PowerPools, Corridor organizations, River basin organizations, etc.) shall have the following key deliverable:
• 7.1 Prepare on a quarterly basis - Progress Report with attached Sector Project Profiles/Fiches - analyzing and updating the 'status and movement' of PIDA PAP2020 projects through the project cycle.
• The Progress Report shall be distilled into two (2) 'status and movement' highlights relating to (1) the 'Shortlist' of projects (i.e. PAP16 to 150), and (2) the remaining 'long-list' of PAP2020 Projects.
• The Progress Reports feeds into the Consolidated half-yearly; and annual Infrastructure Outlook Reports on PIDA Implementation to be collated by NEPAD Infrastructure counterparts.

Job Requirements
Required Skills and Competencies:
The Infrastructure Technical Expert- shall be a national of an African Union member state, and shall have the following required skills and competencies:

• Demonstrate knowledge and have experience of at least, one key value-chain activity, of the project preparation cycle
• Sound knowledge and experience in project finance, and/or project management.
• Excellent knowledge and experience of Infrastructure public-private partnerships
• (PPP) modalities. .
• Knowledge and experience in data collection and application of statistical tools/.
• Knowledge and experience in developing, or actively participated in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities - in a project implementation environment.
• Experience in public sector management or working modalities in Africa, either at national or regional or international level.
• Excellent written and oral communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision with sound judgment, and tight deadline delivery.
• High level of integrity and accountability, flexible approaches to work coupled with enthusiasm, commitment and energetic.
• Ability to leverage limited resources and staff for maximum impact.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and work under pressure with a wide range of individuals and institutions.
• Creative thinking and problem solving skills.
• Good organisational, planning and time management skills.
• Sound analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-national environment.

Education and Experience:

• The Infrastructure Technical Expert shall have the following:
• Minimum qualification of a Master's Degree in Engineering, Transport Economics, Infrastructure Finance/ Economics, Business Administration, or a related field
• A minimum relevant experience of (five) 5 years working consecutively in an Infrastructure Development Environment
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Transport Economics, Infrastructure Finance/ Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum relevant experience of (Ten) 10 years working consecutively in an Infrastructure development environment.

Other Relevant Skills

• Ability to conduct independent research on global and regional economic, social and development issues.
• Strong drafting and analytical skills and proven ability to produce reports and concept papers on developmental issues.
• Demonstrate ability to initiate, develop and complete programme of work, assess implications and formulate recommendations.
• Knowledge of the African Union and NEPAD.
• Excellent working knowledge of computer applications (Microsoft office).

Language Requirement:

• Proficiency in one of the following (English, French, Portuguese and Arabic) African Union working languages is a requirement.
• Knowledge of one or more, of the other AU working languages, will be an advantage.

Tenure of Appointment
The appointment will be made on an initial contract period of one (1) year. The appointment will be renewable upon satisfactory assessment of performance.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$78,600.00 per annum or US$6,550.00 per month plus other entitlements e.g. medical aid (80% contribution by NEPAD) and 22 annual leave days.

Application Closing Date
11th May 2015

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following in Arial” font 11.5 specification:

• A motivation letter stating reasons for seeking this vacant position and employment with ECOWAS, Detailed and updated curriculum vitae (CV), not exceeding five (5) pages, and indicating your nationality and gender.
• Three (3) referees with knowledge of the candidate's work, furnishing full contact details, telephone, fax and email addresses.
• Certified copies of degrees and diplomas.

Applications should be addressed to:
Head of Human Resources,
NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency,
P O Box 218; Midrand, 1685,
Johannesburg,
South Africa.
Email: [email protected]

Note

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications for the Infrastructure Technical Expert should be submitted utilising 'Arial' font 11.5.