National Consultant for Infrastructure Asset Management

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Financing for sustainable-development-office" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The FSDO is dedicated to advancing policy and action on financing for sustainable development, supporting Member States and stakeholders in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. The organization provides thought leadership, promotes multistakeholder dialogue, identifies policy options and best practices, and offers advice and support for capacity development in key areas. The FSDO is involved in various projects globally, focusing on sustainable development and infrastructure management, and aims to strengthen the capacity of local governments and public asset managers.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant for Infrastructure Asset Management is crucial for the successful implementation of project activities in Belize. The consultant will work closely with relevant government officials, international consultants, and UN DESA staff to support the project titled 'Boosting the resilience of infrastructure assets and planned large-scale infrastructure investments in SIDS through risk-informed infrastructure asset management policies and practices.' This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of local government officials and future public asset managers in Belize by providing comprehensive training and equipping them with the necessary skills to design, implement, monitor, and refine data-driven Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM) strategies and policies. The consultant will play a key role in local contextualization, stakeholder engagement, and the overall design and implementation of IAM project activities, ensuring that they are tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of Belize.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer. Key duties include designing and implementing diagnostic activities in six local governments, applying the UN IAM Diagnostic Tool, analyzing and preparing Asset Management Profiles, providing input for training content, delivering and co-facilitating workshops, supporting the implementation of Action Management Plans (AMAPs), and collaborating on workshops focused on the national enabling environment. The consultant will engage with local stakeholders, conduct assessments, and ensure that the training and workshops are relevant to the local context. Responsibilities also include drafting mission notes, facilitating discussions, and providing technical advice on operationalizing IAM strategies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in engineering, business, project management, public administration, urban planning, economics, or a related field. Alternatively, a bachelor's degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in infrastructure, infrastructure asset management, or urban development is required, with demonstrated expertise in asset inventories, lifecycle planning, service delivery, public sector investment planning, or institutional capacity development. Familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN IAM tools is desirable, as is knowledge of global asset management standards and geographic information systems (GIS). Knowledge of Belizean public sector and infrastructure systems is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in a relevant field such as engineering, business, project management, public administration, urban planning, or economics. In cases where candidates hold a bachelor's degree, they must have two additional years of experience in a related area to qualify. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of infrastructure asset management and the associated policies and practices.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in fields related to infrastructure, infrastructure asset management, or urban development. Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in areas such as asset inventories, lifecycle planning, service delivery, public sector investment planning, or institutional capacity development. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively contribute to the project and provide valuable insights and recommendations.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. The ability to communicate effectively is crucial for engaging with stakeholders, facilitating workshops, and delivering training content. While English is the primary language required, familiarity with other languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
This is a locally recruited position, specifically open to Belize nationals and individuals who hold valid residence status permitting employment in Belize. The consultant is expected to be engaged as soon as possible and will work until 30 April 202

• The position is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. Importantly, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not subjected to any financial burdens during their application.