Senior Infrastructure Specialist

Reference #	ADB-HR-13-0361
Position Title:	Senior Infrastructure Specialist
Department	South Asia Department
Division	Sri Lanka Resident Mission
Location	Colombo 7, Sri Lanka
Recruitment Type	International
Date Posted	26 June 2013
Closing Date	10 July 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

To assist the Country Director and Unit Head, Portfolio Management in portfolio management, project administration and project processing activities. Provide technical support on loan and Technical Assistance implementation and project processing and advice on infrastructure development in the transport, water supply and sanitation, power and education sectors. Recommend best practices and corrective actions to provide support for addressing implementation issues to enable the improvement of portfolio performance in general. Assist the Country Director and Unit Head, Portfolio Management in the development and continuous improvement of policy, guidelines and practices for portfolio management. Administer projects and TAs in own area of technical expertise. Work within general policies, principles and goals, working directly with clients.

Expected Outcomes

a. Portfolio Management
- Contribute to the achievement of Sri Lanka Resident Mission’s (SLRM) operational key result areas (KRAs) in portfolio management by assisting the Unit Head, Portfolio Management. The key tasks include:
- Provide technical backstopping support to project officers to resolve implementation issues in infrastructure sector projects; in particular in the transport sector;
- Provide technical support and expertise in contract management, focusing on Fédération Internationale Des Ingénieurs-Conseils (FIDIC contract rules and conditions);
- Monitor and update the sector results framework and monitoring matrices in accordance with ADB guidelines for the relevant sectors in consultation with government;
- Review and contribute to back to office reports, aide memoires and other reports describing the status and performance of ongoing loan/TA projects;
- Monitor and analyze project outputs/goals, SLRM's projections and performance on contract awards/disbursements;
- Assist PMU Head in preparation and conduct of Country Portfolio Review and quarterly portfolio reviews;
- Assist in review and preparation of Project Completion reports (PCRs)/technical assistance completion reports (TCRs);
- Monitor, in consultation with the relevant project officer, projects classified as "At Risk" in the portfolio;
- Coordinate with HQ sector specialists, in particular transport sector experts, for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of infrastructure sector policy commitments to the management of projects;
- Monitor change of project scope and implementation arrangements, reallocation of loan proceeds and change of financing percentages;
- Lead/participate in project inception, review, mid-term review, special loan administration missions and project completion review missions, as required;
- Review and prepare annual mission plans for loan/TA project administration activities;
- Supervise and review the accuracy and consistency of data to ensure quality of individual Project Performance Report (PPR) and monitor compliance with loan covenants; and
- Assist Unit Head, Portfolio Management in the supervision and training of the project analysts where required.

b. Project Processing
- Coordinate with development partners on development of TA and investment projects;
- Collaborate with other development partners in the transport, water supply and sanitation, power and education sectors for consistency and harmonization of approach, exchange of experience, partnership and cofinancing where appropriate;
- Assist in the preparation of project administration memoranda (PAM); and
- Participate in the processing of loans and TAs.

c. Knowledge Sharing

- Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.

d. Staff Supervision

- Take the role of team leader and supervise the work of team members.
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in engineering, project management, or other related fields. University degree in engineering, project management, or other related fields combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level.
• At least 10 years of experience in one or more of the following: portfolio management, project implementation, overall project or program administration/coordination.
• Strong analytical skills and proven supervisory skills.
• Ability to liaise and deal effectively with colleagues, counterparts in executing agencies and other development agencies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• International experience working in development in several countries.

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
• Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Country Director, Sri Lanka Resident Mission
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
• Administrative Staff
• National Staff

Women are encouraged to apply.

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