View Vacancy - Infrastructure Adviser

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity

Infrastructure specialist required in support of 2 Prosperity Fund Programmes as follows:

  1. Colombia Programme: To manage the UK’s new infrastructure development investments as part of the recently announced £25.5 million Prosperity Fund for Colombia which aims to reduce poverty and gender inequality through economic development and commercial opportunities in the country’s post conflict zones. Infrastructure is one of three components the Programme will focus on (the others are institutional capacity building and agriculture) over the next 4 to 5 years. There are two specific infrastructure activities that the job holder will be responsible for overseeing: i) urban development in up to 10 second tier cities worth approximately £6.7 million; and ii) railway development around the country worth £5.6 million.
  2. Regional Manager of Global Infrastructure Programme: To be Latin American Regional Manager of the Prosperity Fund Global Infrastructure Programme (managed by a team in London). The Global Programme seeks to introduce to the Colombian public and private sectors best practice infrastructure tools for project initiation (Project Initiation Routemap), preparation, evaluation and approval (5 Case Model), as well as for construction time and cost over-runs reduction (Building Information Modelling). A pilot stage of the Programme will support implementation of the tools on at least one infrastructure project. The Latin American part of the Programme will be piloted in Colombia, but, in due course, is expected to spread to other leading Latina American economies (such as Mexico and Brazil). The Programme is led centrally out of London, with Regional Managers to help roll it out on-the-ground in-country.      

 

The job holder is expected to spend broadly equal time on each Programme and as part of this will provide technical advice to the British Embassy, Bogota on infrastructure development in Colombia’s cities and regions and maintain strong working relationships with the Prosperity Fund’s implementing partners (CAF, Findeter and FDN in Colombia, and FCO, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Infrastructure and Projects Authority in the UK), Colombian government representatives (ANI and Ministry of Transport) and private sector companies including British.  


Roles and responsibilities:

-Programme Management (50%)

  • Lead on the management of the infrastructure activities of the Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme ensuring that Findeter successfully implements the agreed strategy, objectives and activities for the urban development and rail activities.
  • Lead on the management of the Colombian and Latin American elements of the Prosperity Fund Global Infrastructure Programme ensuring that FDN and relevant partners successfully implement the agreed strategy, objectives and activities related to the introduction and adoption of the best practice infrastructure tools and approaches from the UK, working with the Programme team in London (IPA, BEIS and FCO).  
  • Contribute to the effective day to day running of the Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme and (working with the central London PMO office, the Global Infrastructure Programme) including: finances; reporting; communications; monitoring and evaluation; and robust contract management.   

 

- Stakeholder Management (20%)

  • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to support delivery of the Programme including: implementing partners; Colombian government representatives, British Embassy colleagues; British government colleagues based in the UK; private sector companies including from the UK and Colombia; Colombian, British and international infrastructure associations and organisations; and bilateral and multilateral donors operating in Colombia.   

 

- Technical Advice (20%)

  • Lead, within the Embassy, on all infrastructure development issues especially on urban and rail development and programme methodologies on effective tools and approaches for successful construction project management and control.
  • Provide technical advice on the Prosperity Fund strategy, programmes and activities in Colombia. Be prepared to regularly articulate technical opinions verbally, in writing and in presentations (internal and external).  
  • Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit the Prosperity Fund objectives and activities. Provide guidance on how to best integrate infrastructure innovation and new technology into the Programme. Help update Prosperity Fund priorities and approaches as new knowledge and evidence comes to light and infrastructure markets evolve.
  • Actively seek synergies and collaboration across the Embassy and 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.  

 

- Cross Embassy Support (10%)

  • Actively support the Prosperity Fund Programme Manager and Deputy Programme Manager for both Programmes 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; and iii) the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Board and the Programmatic Board. Effectively coordinate with other Embassy teams (Department for International Trade and the Economic Diplomacy and Political Sections).
  • Graduate with a relevant university degree and at least 7 years of experience in a relevant field.
  • At least 5 years experience in programme management ideally in a development context.
  • Solid knowledge of Colombian infrastructure-related legislation, policies and regulations at the central, regional and local levels.
  • In-depth understanding of infrastructure tools, approaches and best practices to maximise impact on poverty, 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.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills including in giving presentations to external audiences.
  • Team player driven by values.
  • Relevant post-graduate degree.
  • Experience with multilateral development banks and international donors.
  • Understanding of UK infrastructure-related legislation, policies and regulations. 
24 September 2017
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time
35
Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Colombia
Bogota
British Embassy
1
COP
8,280,815
23 October 2017
  • 35 working hours a week from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 am to 1:30 pm on Fridays. 
  • 14 public holidays per year
  • 15 days annual leave plus 4 compensatory days pro-rata on first year
  • 15 days salary in December pay and 15 days salary in June pay (pro rata in first year).
  • The British Embassy is committed to the ongoing training and development of its staff, and training will be provided as appropriate
  • The Embassy is committed to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone.

  • The jobholder will be required to travel regularly within Colombia and occasionally overseas.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.