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. The organization provides thought leadership, promotes multistakeholder dialogue, identifies policy options and best practices, and offers strategic advice and support for capacity development in key areas. The FSDO operates globally, engaging with various countries to implement sustainable development initiatives and projects.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant for Infrastructure Asset Management is crucial for the successful implementation of the UN DESA project titled 'Localizing the SDGs through more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure (Phase 2)'. This project aims to enhance the capacity of local and national governments in six countries, including The Federated States of Micronesia, to effectively plan, manage, and sustain resilient infrastructure systems. The consultant will work closely with government officials and stakeholders to institutionalize infrastructure asset management (IAM) practices and strengthen policy frameworks for sustainable infrastructure development. The role involves providing tailored technical assistance, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and contributing to the design and implementation of IAM project activities. The consultant will also be responsible for raising awareness about IAM approaches, conducting diagnostic missions, and preparing training content to support local governments in improving their infrastructure management practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will undertake several key responsibilities under the supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer in the International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch (ITDCB). These responsibilities include:

• Designing and co-implementing an online awareness-raising workshop on infrastructure asset management, focusing on resilient IAM approaches and relevant tools from the Handbook.
• Liaising with national authorities to confirm participating local governments and developing an implementation schedule and stakeholder engagement plan.
• Conducting diagnostic missions to local governments, applying the UN IAM diagnostic tool, and preparing customized Asset Management Profiles summarizing current practices and gaps.
• Providing substantive input for the preparation of training content based on the Asset Management Profiles and co-facilitating in-person workshops to contextualize IAM principles and facilitate discussions.
• Supporting the identification and selection of participating officials from local governments and ensuring that training materials are relevant and tailored to local contexts.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced degree in engineering, business, project management, public administration, urban planning, economics, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in infrastructure, infrastructure asset management (IAM), or urban development is required. The candidate must demonstrate expertise in areas such as asset inventories, lifecycle planning, service delivery, public sector investment planning, or institutional capacity development. Knowledge of The Federated States of Micronesia’s public sector and infrastructure systems is essential, while familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN IAM tools is desirable. Familiarity with global asset management standards and geographic information systems (GIS) is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field such as engineering, business, project management, public administration, urban planning, or economics. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of infrastructure asset management and the sustainable development goals.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in fields related to infrastructure, infrastructure asset management (IAM), or urban development. This experience should include demonstrated expertise in asset inventories, lifecycle planning, service delivery, public sector investment planning, or institutional capacity development, which are essential for effectively supporting the project objectives.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English is the primary language of communication within the organization and for the project activities.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of one year. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization is committed to ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process, and it does not request any financial information from applicants.