Senior Project Officer (Energy)

Reference #             ADB-HR-13-0693

Position Title:         Senior Project Officer (Energy)

Department             Central and West Asia Department

Division                     Pakistan Resident Mission

Location                     Islamabad, Pakistan

Recruitment Type National and Administrative

Date Posted             29 October 2013

Closing Date            12 November 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

Contributes to the Resident Mission (RM) by handling loan/Technical Assistance (TA) processing and administration, portfolio management, sector work, and other general sector activities, covering public sector operations, with focus on assigned sector(s). Takes the lead role in the administration of assigned loans and TAs, and a support role in processing of assigned loans and TAs. Assists in administration of non-delegated energy sector projects; assists in overall monitoring of the status and performance of the ADB’s Pakistan portfolio (delegated and non-delegated projects); and undertakes sector work, including in the areas of programming, processing and analysis.

Expected Outcomes

Contributes independently to the RM by covering all or a combination of the following functions, taking the lead role in the administration of assigned loans & TAs, depending on the situation/requirements of the local RM:

Project & TA Preparation and Due Diligence

• Provides support to fact-finding missions, including but not limited to review of technical designs and cost estimates, liaison with government officials, data and project costing, procurement packaging, project implementation arrangements and schedule, and related technical issues.

Project & TA Administration

• Process and administer specific loans and TAs, actively takes initiative and responsibility to engage with RM, HQ and field offices of ADB, Government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to facilitate the successful formulation, processing, administration and monitoring of ADB-financed loan and TA projects.
• Provides team leadership (when assigned) by facilitating work planning, delivery and reviews with the team.
• Monitors the progress of assigned projects and prepares project performance reports (including compliance with loan covenants). Where necessary and required, undertakes field reviews and prepares Aide Memoire/Back-to-Office Reports.
• Monitors and coordinates with the EAs, the timely submission of monthly/quarterly progress reports, audited project accounts and financial statements, and withdrawal applications. Participates in Tripartite Portfolio Review Meetings (TPRM) and prepares background and issue papers for TPRMs.
• Prepares and updates forecasts of contract awards & disbursements, identifying factors responsible for shortfalls and expediting achievement of target levels where possible.
• Identifies issues and takes actions to address them through interactions with executing and implementing agencies (EAs, IAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; prepares measures to address the issues and implementing the measures.
• Administers the implementation of assigned TAs by undertaking consultant recruitment and monitoring implementation progress, providing guidance to TA consultants, providing written comments on TA consultants’ deliverable reports, and liaising with the EAs and participate in tripartite discussions with the government.
• Prepares internal procurement papers, review of procurement documents including draft technical designs and cost estimates, and papers for extension of loan closing dates, reallocation of loan proceeds, changes in scope and implementation arrangements, and other project administration tasks.
• Provides advice to government ministries, executing agencies (EAs) and sector entities on ADB guidelines on procurement, recruitment of consultants, and preparation of tender documents, etc. to ensure effective implementation.
• Assists EAs in the areas listed above for project administered by Energy sector division in the HQ.
• Assists in the preparation of Project Completion Reports and TA completion Reports as assigned.
• Supports or participates in Project Review or Country Portfolio Review missions as a mission member as required.
• Provides technical support for policy dialogue with government on policy matters and institutional issues.
• Maintains close cooperation with other international donors, including undertaking consultations with them, especially in areas relating to donor coordination and harmonization in sector work, primarily through the local consultative group.

Country Programming
- Supports country programming assistance by participating in discussions with line ministries and EAs on proposed assistance on the sector, and follows up on outstanding issues with concerned ministries and EAs.

Sector Work

• Conducts independent research, updates information on the assigned sector, provides analysis on financial, institutional or economics uses, and prepares reports.
• Provides full support to the Country Director and HQ staff in handling energy sector portfolio and coordinates all activities between the RM and the energy division in the HQ.
• Assists in the preparation of sector assessments within the context of development aid effectiveness and national sector strategy to be utilized for programming purposes.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge base of future Government investment plans and approval processes, organizational structures and policies relevant to the assigned sectors.
• Prepares inputs for sector database for portfolio management.
• Where required, acts as the focal point for the assigned sector(s) and maintains close relationships with the relevant Government agencies and HQ staff. Provide full support to the HQ missions in terms of coordination with the Government and arranging meetings for the missions. Participate in the missions as member and provide relevant inputs as required.

Other Operational Support

• Helps to organize, contributes to, supports, and participates in meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Organizes and conducts training workshops for EAs and IAs in areas relating to procurement and project administration/management.
• Produces reports, as required, on the tasks undertaken in relation to the above.
• Performs other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent’s work plan.

Educational Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in related disciplines; preferably with Master's Degree or equivalent. Women are encouraged to apply.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

Work experience
- At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in the energy sector (preferably power sector), and at least 4 years of supervisory experience.

Technical knowledge
- Demonstrated expertise and experience within the assigned sector
- Experience & knowledge of various stages of the project cycle (project planning / feasibility analysis / detailed design / project implementation / construction supervision / contract management) is desirable
- Sound knowledge of government administrative systems and procedures
- Familiarity with accepted best practices of procurement and disbursement processes
- Effective report-writing and communication skills in English
- Strong oral and written communications skills

People and leadership skills
- Able to mentor junior National Staff (NS) and Administrative Staff (AS) to facilitate work planning, delivery and quality review
- Able to liaise and work effectively with government officials within own work location
- Able to work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member.

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Applies updated advancements in own knowledge area to relevant tasks
• Applies knowledge and practical skills to independently perform some complex tasks
• Conveys the need to use updated project approaches

Client Orientation

• Delivers Divisional contributions across a variety of products and services to meet the needs of different clients
• Proposes options to clients that may better meet their needs than current approaches
• Defines and delivers to agreed standards with clients

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Conducts detailed research and analysis to determine appropriate methods for addressing the causes of issues
• Self-monitors achievement of results according to work plans
• Identifies different stakeholder needs and desired outcomes when planning for outcomes
• Independently solves problems and makes recommendations

Working Together

• Maintains collaborative relationships within the RM and within the Department
• Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and other Divisions and Departments
• Flexibly alters positions and adjusts previously stated points of view to support the group consensus
• Follows through on team priorities in the absence of a team leader

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Checks with audience’s level of understanding and awareness of required follow up actions
• Consistently seeks and addresses feedback on own performance
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents

Innovation and Change

• Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
• Develops and adopts change plans to support Division initiatives on which one works
• Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
• Vocalizes early support for change

• Recommends inputs to new policies, systems and processes in immediate work area

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Country Director and/or designated International Staff
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
• Administrative Staff

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