Infrastructure Asset Management Specialist — Dakar, Senegal
UNOPS is recruiting an infrastructure asset management specialist to support a joint project with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The position falls under the Engineering and Infrastructure category, intermediate level (ICS 10), under ICA contract – LICA – Specialist (LICA 10), for 12 months. The taking of office is planned to Dakar, within the Multi-Country Office for West Africa (WAMCO).
Background
UNOPS Regional Office for Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the implementation of more than 250 projects in 40 countries, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. With a team of more than 1,000 people in five multi-country offices — covering North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, as well as the Horn of Africa —The Office contributes to national priorities through strategic initiatives in the following areas: climate action, health, infrastructure, peace and security, support for middle-income countries and small island developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support and oversight in key areas such as partnerships, communication, management and monitoring, infrastructure and project management, health and safety, and security. By promoting excellence in project implementation, fostering knowledge sharing and encouraging continuous improvement, the Office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.
Based on DakarIn Senegal, the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) provides high-quality project management, infrastructure and procurement services in 16 countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Togo. In line with UNOPS mission, WAMCO supports its partners in the areas of peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and sustainable development. Its portfolio covers key sectors such as health, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, environment, infrastructure, justice, peace and security. Notable projects include building preschools for early childhood development in Senegal (in partnership with KOICA and UNICEF), strengthening the capacity of national agencies in disaster risk reduction and resource management, and developing rural electrification systems using mini-grids in Sierra Leone. Through these initiatives, WAMCO contributes to inclusive growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region.
UNOPS is the operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the implementation of peace-building, humanitarian and development projects around the world. This mission directly supports the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)-UNOPS joint project entitled “Location of SDGs through more resilient, inclusive and sustainable infrastructure (Phase II)”, implemented by DESA’s Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO), in partnership with UNOPS, in six countries: Kenya, Senegal, the Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Uganda.
This project aims to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level by strengthening the capacities of local and national governments to plan, manage and sustain resilient infrastructure systems. Building on the first phase of the project, this phase focuses on institutionalizing infrastructure asset management (IAM) practices and strengthening policy frameworks that support sustainable, inclusive and risk-informed infrastructure development. Expected results include improving IAM practices, institutionalizing training programs and strengthening the resilience and sustainability of infrastructure systems.
Phase II will strengthen the Integrated Asset Management (IAM) systems in each participating country, integrate asset management action plans (AMAPs) with local development plans, expand staff training and publish a new edition of the United Nations Manual on Infrastructure Asset Management, integrating improved and new case studies and tools according to government needs. It will provide technical assistance and capacity-building tailored to the specificities of each country, while promoting peer learning at the regional level and South-South cooperation.
Purpose of the role
Under the direct supervision of the UNOPS country office and in close coordination with the UN DESA project manager and technical teams, the Infrastructure Asset Management Specialist will lead the following two main work streams: Outcome 2.1, on technical assistance for local government implementation of AMAPs, and Outcome 2.2, on strengthening the national environment conducive to integrated identity and access management (IAM).
Duties
Under outcome 2.1 (technical assistance for the implementation of county AMAPs), the expert will review the Action Plans for the Promotion of Citizenship (AMAPs) developed by participating local governments and municipalities with technical support from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). It will work with technical focal points and local government leaders to align, prioritize and agree on high-priority interventions that can be supported by technical assistance or service acquisition. It will draft the specifications and specifications required for the acquisition of services or technical assistance, provide technical guidance and implementation support to contracted service providers, and write a summary report of supported AMAP actions.
Under outcome 2.2 (Strengthening the national enabling environment for integrated asset management), UNOPS will undertake mandatory training on the UNOPS EnABLE-IAM methodology and conduct a comprehensive literature review of national development strategies, policies, sector plans and infrastructure financing mechanisms. It will design and conduct structured consultations with stakeholders from different ministries and central oversight bodies to identify challenges and validate data from the literature review. It will develop a comprehensive enabling environment report detailing priority regulatory, institutional and capacity reforms, prepare an enabling environment validation workshop including methodology and presentation materials, and lead this enabling environment workshop on infrastructure asset management. Finally, it will incorporate stakeholder feedback into the Enabling Environment Report in order to submit a final and government-approved national roadmap for the Enabling Environment of Integrated Identity and Access Management (IAM).
In terms of project coordination and knowledge management, it will develop an initial work plan and a detailed mission-wide schedule, participate in regular coordination meetings with the UNOPS project manager and country office, provide quality narrative technical inputs for internal meetings and formal progress reports, participate in discussions on lessons learned at the project level, and contribute to the re-contextualization of the global AM tools.
Deliverable
Deliverable 1 consists of a work plan and schedule, with an in-depth review of the project documentation and tools; 4-day allocated effort, 25% payment. Deliverable 2 addresses AMAP review and action prioritization: AMAP summary report detailing priority actions and formal agreements between municipal stakeholders identifying priority actions; 8-day allocated effort, payment not applicable or combined with deliverable 1. Deliverable 3 relates to AMAP implementation assistance: technical specifications and procurement specifications for the implementation of AMAP actions, and consolidated report on the implementation of AMAP actions; 13-day allocated effort, payment of 20%.
Deliverable 4 covers the national workshop on assessment and monitoring of progress in environmental education: launch and literature review of the EnABLE evaluation, stakeholder mapping, consultation and coordination plan, stakeholder consultation, successful environmental assessment project (80% of the draft IAM EE roadmap), presentation and methodology materials for the EE workshop, logistical and operational support for the EE workshop. Deliverable 5 concerns the recontextualization of the final roadmap, i.e. the IAM EE final roadmap; 15 days allocated effort, 20% payment. The total effort level allocated is 70 days, for a total payment of 100%.
Candidate profile
A graduate degree in engineering, architecture, project management, public administration, urban development, economics or a related field is required. The candidate must have a master’s degree and 5 years of experience with increasing responsibilities in the fields of architecture, infrastructure or infrastructure asset management. Proven expertise in asset inventories, life cycle planning or institutional capacity development is required, as well as in-depth knowledge of the national public sector and Senegal’s own infrastructure development challenges. Strong mastery of standard desktop computing tools and Google Workspace environments (including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet) for technical collaboration is also required.
Knowledge of United Nations integrated asset management tools and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is desirable, as is mastery of geographic information systems (GIS) and global asset management standards.
The skills expected include analysis, asset management, infrastructure, public sector, reporting, stakeholder engagement, sustainable development and workshop facilitation. The position also requires an ability to develop and implement sustainable business strategies, adopt a long-term and external vision in order to positively influence the organization, and anticipate and perceive the impact and consequences of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. The candidate treats each person with respect, is sensitive to differences and encourages others to do the same, upholds organizational and ethical standards, embodies reliability and serves as a model for diversity and inclusion.
He contributes positively to team spirit by embodying an inspiring role model, collaborating and supporting the development of others; for team leaders only, he embodies positive leadership, motivates, orients and inspires others to succeed using appropriate leadership styles. It demonstrates an understanding of the impact of its role on all partners and always puts the final recipient first, builds and maintains strong external relationships and proves to be a competent partner for others where appropriate. It effectively defines an appropriate plan of action for itself and others in order to achieve a goal, its actions allowing a complete achievement of the task through a constant concern for quality; it identifies opportunities and takes the initiative to seize them, and understands that responsible use of resources maximizes the impact on beneficiaries.
The candidate is open to change and flexible in a dynamic environment; he/she effectively adapts his/her approach to changing circumstances and requirements, learns from his/her experiences and changes his/her behaviour. His performance is constant, even under pressure, and he’s constantly looking for improvement. It analyzes data and options to make logical and pragmatic decisions, takes an objective and rational approach by taking calculated risks, and demonstrates innovation and creativity in problem solving. He expresses his ideas and facts in a clear, concise and open manner, with his communication paying particular attention to the feelings and needs of others; he practices active listening and sharing knowledge proactively, and manages conflicts effectively by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Languages
Fluency in French is required, as is fluency in English.
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