View Vacancy - Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme Governance Adviser

Main purpose of job

To lead delivery of the UK’s institutional strengthening 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.  Institutional strengthening is one of three components the Programme will focus on (the others are infrastructure and agriculture) over the next 4 years.  There are three specific activities that the jobholder will be responsible for delivering: i) improved competitiveness in up to 8 Colombian departments (worth £4.2 million); ii) reform of the corporate governance structure of the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) (worth £0.23 million); and iii) modernisation of the public procurement processes and systems in up to 8 Colombian departments (worth £0.7 million).

In addition, the jobholder will provide technical advice to selected government bodies and agencies (the President’s Office, the National Planning Department, the National Procurement Agency, ANI and 8 departmental governments) while maintaining strong working relationships with the Prosperity Fund’s implementing partners (CAF, Findeter and the Open Contracting Partnership (OCP)) and some private sector companies including those from the UK. 

The jobholder will also provide technical assistance (TA) to support delivery in Colombia of the Prosperity Fund Global Trade and Global Anticorruption Programmes.

What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

Programme Delivery (50%)

• Lead on successful delivery of the Colombia PF institutional strengthening activities including: i) capacity building on economic competitiveness for 8 departmental Competitiveness Commissions (CRCs); ii) TA on competiveness project design and contracting for the same 8 CRCs; iii) capacity building on open public procurement for 8 departments; and iv) capacity building on corporate governance reform for ANI.   

Stakeholder Management (20%)

• Strengthen PF stakeholder networks to support effective delivery of the Colombia Programme and the Global Trade and Anticorruption Programmes.  These networks include Colombian government representatives, Colombian and UK private sector companies, and PF implementing agencies.   

Technical Advice (20%)

• Provide TA to PF government partners on: i) effective strategies and actions to boost economic competitiveness, transparent procurement and effective corporate governance; and ii) modern models, tools and approaches to improve institutional capacity and to successfully implement governance reforms. Be prepared to articulate technical opinions verbally, in writing and in presentations.
• Continuously develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of governance issues including emerging models, approaches and best practices.  Provide guidance to the Colombian government on these and integrate them into the PF institutional strengthening 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 infrastructure), 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 Programme Manager and Deputy Programme Manager 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 Programmes in Trade and Anticorruption); 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).

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Staff: none

Resources: oversight of up to £5.13 million for the Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme institutional strengthening activities.

Essential on arrival

• Graduate with a relevant university degree and at least 5 years of experience in a relevant field.
• At least 5 years experience in programme management ideally in a development context.
• Solid knowledge of Colombian institutional-related legislation, policies and regulations at the central, regional and local levels.  Mastering of national regulations on Procurement, Transparency, Planning, and Public budgeting/expenditure is paramount.
• In-depth understanding of: i) the elements that make a transparent, accountable and effective government institution able to deliver against targets and objectives; and ii) what governance models, approaches and best practices 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.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills including in giving presentations to external audiences.
• Team player driven by values.
• Microsoft Office literate