Consultant Infrastructure Asset Management in Peru and Costa Rica
Support sustainable infrastructure asset management practices.
Overview
Support sustainable infrastructure asset management practices.
You have:
- Advanced university degree in economics, international development, urban development, or a related field is required.
- A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the regional/national level, involving both analytical and policy development work in the field of asset management and urban development is required.
- Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
- Familiarity with the work of Financing for Sustainable Development, SDGs/the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is desirable.
Result of Service Successful implementation of online and on-site training workshops in introducing more sustainable infrastructure asset management practices in Costa Rica and Peru.
Work Location Home-based
Expected duration The consultant will be engaged during the period from 01 October 2022 to 31 December 2023.
Duties and Responsibilities The current terms of reference support the implementation of the UN capacity development initiative on “enhancing the resilience, accessibility, and sustainability of infrastructure assets in developing countries in support of the 2030 Agenda” in Peru and Costa Rica to increase the resilience, accessibility, and sustainability of their infrastructure assets. The projects are implemented by UN DESA, in collaboration with UNCDF and UNOPS, and aim to address the lack of a sustained and systematic strategies, policies and actions at the national and local government levels to ensure that infrastructure assets support inclusive, affordable and sustainable essential public services over their entire lifespan. The project covers training of local and central government officials in beneficiary countries in designing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing forward-looking, risk-informed, and data-driven infrastructure asset management strategies, policies, and action plans in support of essential public services that leave no one behind.
In this context, FSDO of UN DESA will engage the services of an international expert consultant to support local governments in selected developing countries in introducing more sustainable infrastructure asset management practices.
Under the supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer, International Tax and Development Cooperation Branch, Financing for Sustainable Development Office, the consultant is expected to: (1) Prepare training materials for online and on-site training on infrastructure asset management based on UN Handbook on infrastructure asset management and feedback from national consultants in beneficiary countries and project supervisor. Materials will be prepared and delivered in Spanish and focus on climate resilience and data management issues related to infrastructure asset management. (2) Conduct online trainings for national consultants on the implementation of the UN diagnostic tool on infrastructure asset management for Peru and Costa Rica with a particular focus on climate resilience and data management issues related to infrastructure asset management. (3) Design and conduct two two-day online trainings for local government officials in Peru and Costa Rica to sensitize them to capture and utilize the right data and information, to improve climate resilience, and acquaint them with toolkits contained in the Handbook. Materials will be prepared and delivered in Spanish: Topics should cover the following aspects of capturing and utilizing the right data and information and improving climate resilience:
Capturing and utilizing the right data and information: o The benefits of good asset data - Data for prioritizing critical assets
o Building the foundation of an efficient asset information system - Assemble an asset management information team - The champion - Team members - Establish the asset register hierarchy - Information roll-up and information roll-down - Hierarchical structure - Identification - Plan data collection - Location data - Asset condition data - Asset performance data - Maintenance data - Financial data - Where to collect - Collect data - Validate collected data - Create asset register database - Review, maintain and update data
o Beyond the basic database - Key performance indicators - Information technology tools for asset management
Improving climate resilience:
o Benefits and challenges of climate-resilient asset management o Understanding climate change o Climate and infrastructure - Climate change hazards - The impacts of climate change on infrastructure - Natural infrastructure o Prioritizing the most critical services and assets o Climate risk assessments - Hazard identification - Climate impact statements - Vulnerability assessment - Risk assessment - Strategic evaluation o Responding to climate risks - Non-capital interventions - New or retrofitted assets - Low-carbon resilience - Building back better o Putting climate-resilient asset management into practice - Creating a climate-resilient asset management action plan - Making the economic case for climate resilience How climate-resilient asset management enables disaster risk reduction
(4) Design and review segments customized in-country Training of Trainers (ToTs) workshops that focus on climate resilience and data management issues related to infrastructure asset management based on diagnostic assessments for officials from local and central governments, national and municipal development banks as well as national training institutions for Peru and Costa Rica. The ToTs curricula must follow the chapters and toolkits of the aforementioned UN Handbook on infrastructure asset management, and should include modules on (materials will be prepared and delivered in Spanish):
- Capturing and utilizing the right data and information
- Improving climate resilience
(5) Conduct customized segments of on-site in-country Training of Trainers (ToTs) workshops that focus on climate resilience and data management issues related to infrastructure asset management based on diagnostic assessments for officials from local and central governments, national and municipal development banks as well as national training institutions in Peru and Costa Rica.
o Implement individual/partner/group exercises that focus on climate resilience and data management issues related to infrastructure asset management for maximum interactivity and engagement among participants, including exercises utilizing the UN Asset Management Diagnostic Tool and AMAP o Interact with other instructors and panel speakers o Present regional examples on asset management o Evaluate workshop assignments and provide substantive support to participants o Assess workshops assignments o Provide post workshop substantive guidance to participants for limited time period as needed
Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree in economics, international development, urban development, or a related field is required. Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the regional/national level, involving both analytical and policy development work in the field of asset management and urban development is required. Familiarity with the work of Financing for Sustainable Development, SDGs/the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is desirable. Language: Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
Additional Information Professionalism- Knowledge of the work of the UN and its specialized agencies. Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development issues and infrastructure asset management. Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, programming and budget. Ability to communicate effectively both verbal and in writing in English and Spanish. Familiarity with UN editorial guidelines. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating fender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. United Nations
No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you developed effective training materials? | This question assesses your ability to create valuable resources for training. | Share an example where you designed materials that had a positive impact on training outcomes. |
| How have you incorporated climate resilience into asset management in your past roles? | The interviewer wants to understand your experience with climate-related challenges in asset management. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to engage stakeholders during training sessions? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time you faced a challenge while conducting a training workshop and how you overcame it. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure that your training programs meet their objectives? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |