Consultant Infrastructure asset management on capturing and utilizing the right data and information and improving climate resilience in Costa Rica and Peru (Cancelled)

Implement training workshops for local governments on asset management.

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UN DESA - Department of Economic and Social Affairs

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Application deadline 3 years ago: Sunday 4 Sep 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Overview

Implement training workshops for local governments on asset management.

You have:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, economics, public administration, urban planning or related field is required.
  • A minimum of 3-year work experience in infrastructure asset management is required.
  • Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
  • Knowledge of the work of the UN and its specialized agencies.
  • Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development issues and infrastructure asset management.

Result of Service Successful implementation of online and on-site training workshop on infrastructure asset management in local governments in Costa Rica and Peru on capturing and utilizing the right data and information and improving climate resilience.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration The consultant will be engaged during the period from 1 October 2022 to 28 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. (2) Conduct online trainings for national consultants on the implementation of the UN diagnostic tool on infrastructure asset management for Peru and Costa Rica. (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 customized in-country Training of Trainers (ToTs) workshops 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 on-site in-country Training of Trainers (ToTs) workshops 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 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 (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, economics, public administration, urban planning or related field is required. Experience: A minimum of 3-year work experience in infrastructure asset management is required. 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. 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.

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 your experience in developing training materials for infrastructure asset management? The interviewer wants to know about your direct experience in creating educational content. Highlight specific projects where you developed training materials, emphasizing outcomes.
How have you engaged with local governments to improve asset management practices? This question seeks to understand your interpersonal skills and collaborative efforts. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use to ensure effective communication during training sessions? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of a time you handled a challenging training situation? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What metrics do you use to evaluate the success of your training programs? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org