View Vacancy - Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme Infrastructure Adviser

Main purpose of job:

To lead delivery of the UK’s infrastructure investments as part of the £25.5 million Prosperity Fund (PF) for Colombia which aims to: i) reduce poverty and gender inequality through economic development in the country’s post conflict and conflict-affect zones; and ii) create commercial opportunities for international companies including British businesses. Infrastructure is one of three components the Programme will focus on (the others are Institutional Strengthening and Agriculture) over the next 4 years. There are three specific activities that the jobholder will be responsible for delivering: i) up to 8 urban development projects in areas such as SMART Cities, water and sanitation, intelligent transport and solid waste management (worth £6.7 million); ii) up to 4 rail development projects to help rehabilitate Colombia’s narrow gauge rail network (worth £5.6 million); and iii) all 4 regional competitiveness infrastructure projects which include a new international airport, 2 large multi-modal transport hubs, and a large agri-processing centre.

In addition, the jobholder will provide technical advice to selected government ministers, agency directors, governors and mayors (Ministry of Transport, National Planning Department, National Infrastructure Agency, Ministry of Housing, governors of 8 departments and mayors of 8 cities) while maintaining strong working relationships with the Prosperity Fund’s implementing partners (CAF, Findeter and FDN), and private sector companies including those from the UK.  

The jobholder will also lead the delivery of the Prosperity Fund Global Infrastructure Programme (GIP) including: i) capacity building training for government and other stakeholders; ii) the creation of a new multi-million dollar Colombian Infrastructure Project Design Facility (IPDF); and iii) managing the first £5m GIP investment through the new IPDF.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

Programme Delivery (50%)

• Lead on successful delivery of the Colombia PF infrastructure activities including: i) TA on urban development project design, financing and contracting including watsan projects in Ibague, Valledupar and Santa Marta; intelligent transport projects in Manizales and Villavicencio; SMART City projects in Santa Marta and Cartagena; and a water and solid waste treatment plant project in Bucaramanga; ii) TA on rail rehabilitation project design, financing and contracting including the railways of Bogota to Zipaquira; La Dorada to Chiriguana; and Cali Regio Tram; and iii) TA on regional competitiveness infrastructure project design, financing and contracting including a new international airport in Caldas; multi modal transport logistics hubs in Santander and Antioquia; and an agri-processing plant in Atlantico.

• Lead on successful delivery of the PF GIP activities in Colombia including i) capacity building on the three UK infrastructure tools (5 case BC, project initiation route map and BIM) for the public and private sectors; ii) the establishment within FDN of a new multi-donor funded Infrastructure Project Design Facility (IPDF) to use the GIP’s 3 tools and build up a pipeline of well-designed, bankable infrastructure projects; and iii) identify and accompany the first GIP investment of £5m into a IPDF bankable project(s).    

Stakeholder Management (20%)

• Work directly with Colombian government ministers, agency directors, governors and mayors to prioritise, co-fund and implement PF bilateral and GIP infrastructure projects. Strengthen PF stakeholder networks (government, Colombian and UK private sector companies, PF Implementing Partners) to support effective delivery of these projects. Strengthening activities include: use and value of three GIP tools, inclusive economic development with a G&I focus; rail sector regulation and management; the full range of infrastructure financing options and the role of the City of London in this; and sustainable (i.e. green) infrastructure project design.    

Technical Advice (20%)

• Provide TA to PF government partners on: i) effective strategies and actions to boost inclusive regional competitiveness, urban development and rail rehabilitation; ii) modern models, tools and approaches to infrastructure development including the 3 GIP tools; iii) the UK’s rail regulation and management; and iv) infrastructure financing options as developed by the City of London. Be prepared to articulate technical opinions verbally, in writing and in presentations.

• Continuously develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of infrastructure issues including emerging models, approaches and best practices. Provide guidance to the Colombian government on these and integrate them into the PF infrastructure activities.

• Actively seek synergies and collaboration with potential external allies to ensure the Prosperity Fund achieves maximum impact on target beneficiaries and, very importantly, creates secondary commercial benefits including for UK companies. Strong influencing skills will be important for this.

• Support, as appropriate, delivery of the other Colombia Programme sectors (i.e. agriculture and institutional strengthening), especially to ensure full engagement from a wide range of both national and subnational government institutions in Colombia.

• Act as a gender champion in your advisory role. Ensure Gender Equality Act (2014) compliance and support implementation of gender policy and guidance so that, at the least, no harm is done and gender inequality is not worsened. Actively support PF ambitions on women’s economic opportunities, inclusive growth and poverty reduction through your department / team.

Cross-Embassy Support (10%)

• Actively support the Prosperity Fund Director as required. Be a supportive and considerate team member. Help junior colleagues achieve their learning and development objectives. Provide coaching and shadowing opportunities if required.

• Contribute to: i) Prosperity Fund and wider Embassy objectives; ii) official visits (especially from the Global Infrastructure Programme); and iii) the Embassy’s Economic Horizons Board and the Programmatic Board. Effectively coordinate with other Embassy teams (Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Economic, Climate and Science (ECS) and Political Sections).

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Graduate with a relevant university degree and at least 8 years of experience in a relevant field.
• At least 5 years experience in programme management ideally in a development context.
• A strong, demonstrable understanding of Colombia’s rail rehabilitation programme.
• Solid knowledge of Colombian infrastructure-related legislation, policies and regulations at the central, regional and local levels. Mastering of national regulations on Procurement, PPPs, Transparency, Planning, and Public budgeting/expenditure is paramount.
• In-depth understanding of: i) the preparation and approval processes and methodologies of public infrastructure projects in Colombia; and ii) public infrastructure planning, design and procurement approaches that help maximise the public sector’s impact on poverty reduction, gender equity, economic development and value for money.
• A flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish.

Must have the legal status to live and work in Colombia

Language requirements:

Language:  Written and spoken English and Spanish – a minimum TOEFL score of 100 or a minimum academic IELTS score of 7.5 or an equivalent score in another type of assessment.

Level of language required: Fluent in both