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 office provides thought leadership, promotes multistakeholder dialogue, identifies policy options and best practices, and offers advice and support for capacity development in key areas. More information about their initiatives and projects can be found on their website at https://financing.desa.un.org/.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant for Infrastructure Asset Management is crucial for the successful implementation of project activities in Jamaica, particularly in the context of the project aimed at boosting the resilience of infrastructure assets and large-scale infrastructure investments in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The consultant will work closely with government officials, international consultants, and UN DESA staff to ensure that the project objectives are met. The role involves providing substantive support in the design, adaptation, implementation, and follow-up of all Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM) project activities. The consultant will be responsible for local contextualization, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that the training and capacity-building efforts are tailored to the needs of local government officials and future public asset managers. The consultant is expected to engage as soon as possible and will work until April 30, 2027, providing comprehensive training and support to enhance the skills of public officials in Jamaica.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will have a range of responsibilities, including:

• Designing and implementing diagnostic activities in six local governments, confirming participating entities, developing an implementation schedule, and reviewing existing frameworks relevant to IAM in Jamaica.
• Applying the UN IAM Diagnostic Tool to support self-assessments by local governments, conducting interviews, and guiding staff in identifying current practices and gaps.
• Analyzing diagnostic data to prepare Asset Management Profiles for each local government, summarizing practices, strengths, gaps, and recommendations.
• Providing input to training content preparation, reviewing materials, and customizing training to ensure relevance for local entities.
• Delivering and co-facilitating two in-country workshops, contextualizing IAM principles, and facilitating discussions and practical exercises.
• Supporting the implementation of Action Management Plans (AMAPs) by reviewing and refining them with local entities, providing technical advice, and drafting mission notes summarizing findings.
• Collaborating on workshops regarding the national enabling environment, adapting training materials, and engaging stakeholders.
• Facilitating workshops on IAM policies, identifying gaps, and supporting post-workshop follow-up.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in engineering, business, project management, public administration, urban planning, economics, or related fields. 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 Jamaican public sector and infrastructure systems is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in relevant fields such as engineering, business, project management, public administration, urban planning, or economics. A bachelor's degree may be acceptable if accompanied by additional relevant experience, highlighting the importance of both formal education and practical experience in this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in areas related to infrastructure, infrastructure asset management, or urban development. This experience should demonstrate expertise in critical areas such as asset inventories, lifecycle planning, service delivery, public sector investment planning, or institutional capacity development, indicating a strong background in managing and developing infrastructure projects.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. This proficiency is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, preparation of training materials, and facilitation of workshops. While English is the primary language required, familiarity with additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of engaging with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a locally recruited position, specifically open to Jamaican nationals and individuals with valid residence status permitting employment in Jamaica. The position is expected to be full-time and will last until April 30, 202

• It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that the recruitment is conducted fairly and transparently.