Project Manager - Infrastructure Specialist

Introduction

As Afghanistan now transitions to a new government, political uncertainty and security concerns signify considerable macroeconomic challenges ahead and the potential reversal of hard-fought development gains achieved during the past two decades. Immediate support for recovery and stabilization is paramount to address the needs of the displaced, refugees, poor and vulnerable, women, and youth, to help people and communities pursue their livelihoods, have basic services and be more resilient. Within the scope of the UN’s Transitional Engagement Framework for Afghanistan (TEF, 2022) the UN has established a Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA), serving as an inter-agency mechanism to enable donors/development partners to channel resources and coordinate support for an Area-Based Programming strategy (ABADEI). 

Through its Jobs for Peace and Resilience (JPR) Flagship Programme the ILO contributes to more peaceful and resilient societies through development cooperation projects that promote employment, decent work and social dialogue in fragile situations.  Guided by the ILO’s Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205) the JPR Programme combines employment intensive investments, vocational and entrepreneurial skills training, employment services and private sector and local economic development approaches in a coherent and context specific manner.

The ILO approach “Promoting employment and decent work in Afghanistan through the humanitarian-development-peace nexus” responds to the priorities of the UN partners and the ILO will, through its Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP), provide targeted maintenance and rehabilitation of rural roads and other basic infrastructure to improve access to communities and markets, in particular those linked to strategic value chain development and at the same time generate immediate decent employment and income opportunities for the local population, initially in the Northern Region of Afghanistan.  

By applying local resource-based approaches in the infrastructure works, the ILO also seeks to (i) increase participation of local communities in the planning and implementation of works; (ii) increase the creation of jobs and income by applying employment-intensive work methods; and (iii) secure the involvement of the local construction industry. The dimensions of asset creation, increased employment and income opportunities and more private sector business opportunities are expected to contribute towards sustainable and inclusive economic development, building synergies with the ILO enterprise development R2D4All project, with which the EIIP will be co-located in Mazar.

The ILO activities will also place emphasis on strengthening the capacity of local contractors and institutions responsible for the improvement and maintenance rural roads and other basic infrastructure, noting that engagement with the de facto authorities will, initially may be difficult. The project will build on ILO’s mandate to promote decent work for all, ensuring an inclusive approach that takes into consideration the needs of the local communities in the Northern Region. All activities will be gender-responsive targeting households with the highest needs, and especially those with more vulnerable women, youth and the disabled. The project will be delivered by a team based in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, with oversight and management by the ILO Office in Kabul, and ILO specialist teams in New Delhi and Geneva. 

Description of Duties

The Project Manager will be part of an ILO technical team based in Mazar-e-Sharif tasked with delivering the ILO EIIP Component of the umbrella programme on “Promoting employment and decent work through the humanitarian-development-peace nexus”.  Within this framework, the Project Manager will take charge of all EIIP related activities. As such, the Project Manager will manage all planning and implementation activities in relation to the rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure forming part of the project in line with work plans, projects documents, ILO policies and strategies including the ILO policy on gender equality, and in accordance with country programmes and administrative and financial procedures.  

The Project Manager will manage and supervise the work of a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of international specialists, national professionals, administrative staff, as well as international and local consultants. Furthermore, she/he will lead and also participate in the work on capacity building, including formulation, development and conduct of training.  The Project Manager will ensure effective cooperation and synergies between the activities of the ILO TA team and other project components, as well as with other infrastructure initiatives in the project area. 

The Project Manager reports to the Senior Coordinator of the ILO Afghanistan Office and technically to the EIIP Specialist in ILO Decent Work Support Team (DWT) New Delhi.  The Project Manager will receive technical guidance and advice from a team of specialists in Delhi, including (but not limited to) employment-intensive infrastructure works (EIIP), contractor development and decent work in the rural economy.  

Main duties and responsibilities
In collaboration with project partners, local authorities, technical agencies, business associations and others, the Project Manager will be responsible for a number of activities, including but not limited to the following:
•    Ensure timely provision of inputs of personnel, technical support services, consultants, civil works contracts, training, equipment, supplies and other needs related to the project infrastructure component in line with work plans and procurement plans.
•    Participate in the overall planning, programming and implementation of EIIP Afghanistan, secure effective coordination, consultation and involvement of/with public and private sector stakeholders (including local contractors) and ensure complementarity with other project components.
•    Explore partnerships and co-funding arrangements with existing development schemes and budgets thereby increasing the effectiveness of project activities.
•    Assess capacities of technical agencies, Employers and Business Management Organisations (EBMOs), local contractors, training institutions and communities, and on this basis organise, manage and provide inputs in the design and implementation of capacity development activities to ensure that necessary competencies and skills are available for the planning and implementation of infrastructure works. 

optional section (if needed)

•    Establish technical design standards, work methods and organisation (based on the use of employment-intensive approaches and appropriate technologies), standard bills of quantities, work norms, unit rates for civil works activities and works contracts, and collate these in manuals and guidelines, including measures to ensure gender equality and social inclusion, climate and natural disaster resilience and compliance with fundamental principles and rights at work, other human rights and international labour standards, other international instruments and documents and the ILO’s decent work conditions (including adequate inclusive measures that secure the full involvement of women, youth, disabled and other groups requiring particular attention).
•    Monitor the payments of work, forecast project expenditure and update budgets and initiate payment requests.
•    Represent the ILO technical assistance team and its work in various fora under the guidance of the ILO Country Office and EIIP specialists in Bangkok and Geneva. 
•    Develop and maintain strong links with ILO DWT specialists in New Delhi and other colleagues in the field and HQ on specific technical areas requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions.
•    Periodically report, monitor and facilitate the evaluation of the infrastructure works according to project documents and work plans. Contribute to required progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation. Ensure the preparation of financial records and oversee the maintenance of an up-to-date financial status of the project infrastructure works.
•    Ensure high-level communications to increase the project’s visibility at the national and international levels. This includes the responsibility to liaise with the UN country team, and other key stakeholders, to ensure effective coordination with relevant national strategies and related programmes. Under the guidance of the project management and the ILO Office maintain relations with mass media in order to increase the impact of the project in society as a whole.

Description of Duties (continued)

Specific
•    Initiate and oversee the project identification process and provide updates on new developments, condition of infrastructure assets and access constraints.
•    Initiate and oversee the appraisal and planning of rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure where other development activities are envisaged and present findings to project partners and beneficiaries in a clear and concise manner.
•    Oversee and provide inputs to quantity surveys, preparation of designs, cost estimates of infrastructure works, preparation of bidding documents and civil works contracts and conduct tenders through national competitive bidding, local market surveys and community contracting.
•    Oversee and provide inputs to the design of structural works such as bridges, culverts, drifts, and other structures. 
•    Review results of material testing and provide necessary design recommendations.
•    Provide overall oversight and instructions for civil works contracts including:
•    Approval of contractors’ work programmes, methods statements, material sources, etc. and any proposed modifications or variations. 
•    Take remedial action during events or circumstances that significantly impact on works contracts in terms of quality and time.
•    Secure and monitor quality assurance measures for compliance with designs and work specifications.
•    Organise regular inspection and measurement of works, foundations, quality of materials and as-built drawings. 
•    Secure the timely certification and payment of works.
•    Assess maintenance and repair work to be carried out during defects liability periods.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in engineering, preferably civil engineering.

Experience

• At least 7 years of hands-on experience in managing and implementing rural transport infrastructure works, including rural road works, of which at least 3 years at the international level.
• Proven experience in working and engaging with government agencies, private sector contractors, donors and UN agencies, and heterogeneous teams composed of consultants, specialists, and local collaborators of different educational and cultural background - in remote and difficult settings.
• Extensive experience in managing and supervising local contractors engaged through public works contracts.
• Solid understanding of skills development and institutional strengthening within the construction industry.
• Good knowledge of community and project stakeholder consultations and mobilisation in the context of rural infrastructure works.

Languages

Excellent command of English (oral and written). 

Competencies

•    Ability to independently initiate and lead the preparation and management of project activities with a clear focus on reaching defined outputs in a timely manner as agreed in project documents and work plans; 
•    Proven effective managerial skills; ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyse challenges as a basis for finding appropriate solutions; ability to provide technical guidance and support to staff and beneficiaries;
•    Proven interpersonal and organisation skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
•    Proven ability to establish priorities and to plan, organise, coordinate and monitor project activities; 
•    Ability to build and maintain interrelationships and networks with public and private sector entities and international agencies working in related fields;
•    Good understanding of gender and minority issues, gender mainstreaming and equal opportunity principles and approaches;
•    Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
•    Well-developed and effective communication skills (verbal and written), including ability to present plans, results, reports, technical manuals and guidelines, conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, making and defending recommendations, ability to convey difficult issues and positions to project partners and public and private sector officials;
•    Computer literacy.

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Initial one-year contract, subject to renewal based on performance and funds availability. The position is at present planned for the period 2022 to 2023.