AusAID - Regional Infrastructure Adviser

Australian Embassy

Vietnam

Embassy address: 8 Dao Tan Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi - Telephone: 3774 0100 - Fax: 3774 0111

Regional Infrastructure Adviser

Job Description and Selection Documentation

Salary package of AUD 147,768 – 170,000 (+ allowances)
Initial term of 2 years

We are looking for a Regional Infrastructure Adviser to join our Agency, based in Hanoi, Vietnam. We aim to get the right person into the right role.

About AusAID

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid program. Consistent with the MDGs, AusAID is guided by five core strategic goals. The goals are:
• saving lives
• promoting opportunities for all
• sustainable economic development
• effective governance, and
• humanitarian and disaster response.
In the field of health, the Australian aid program focuses on achieving the health related Millennium Development Goals.
With a head office in Canberra, and strongly complemented by its country offices around the world, AusAID works in close partnership with Australian and foreign government officials, international and multilateral organisations (including the United Nations, World Bank and Asian Development Bank), the private sector, non-government and community organisations, and civil society. AusAID has working relationships with many more companies and organisations, which help us design and deliver important programs of assistance
For more information on AusAID, please visit our website www.ausaid.gov.au.
AusAID Infrastructure Programs in the Mekong
AusAID partners with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to co-finance a portfolio of ten transport and energy infrastructure projects across the Mekong subregion (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia). AusAID financing of these projects totals approximately $317 million. These projects have a dual objective: increasing regional connectivity and integration, as well as delivering benefits within each individual project area. AusAID country offices in Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane lead the day-to-day engagement with implementing partners and other stakeholders on these projects, supported by the AusAID Mekong Hub in Hanoi and AusAID headquarters in Canberra.

Job Description

The objective of the Regional Infrastructure Adviser is to advise AusAID regional management and country programs on the implementation of Australia’s current infrastructure portfolio in the Mekong, as well as take a leading role in the development of possible future large-scale investments in infrastructure.
The Regional Infrastructure Adviser will report to the Minister Counsellor (Mekong and Regional), based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Within his/her area of responsibility, the Adviser will take a leading role in AusAID analysis, program development, and strategic planning for the region.

This is a non-Australian Public Service position. An attractive remuneration package will be negotiated commensurate with the demonstrated experience and skills of the successful applicant. It is anticipated that the successful candidate be located at the AusAID Mekong Regional Office in Hanoi. This may be negotiable given residency of successful candidate and AusAID available resources and operational priorities. Applicants not resident in Vietnam should also note that if they are offered the position they will be responsible for their travel and removal of personal effects to Hanoi, along with accommodation. Applicants will also be responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate permission to work in Vietnam. Australian residents should note they may have Australian taxation obligations.

The responsibilities of the Regional Infrastructure Adviser are as follows:
Project implementation and development

• Provide strategic advice to AusAID Mekong country program offices (Hanoi, Vientiane, Phnom Penh) on implementation of existing portfolio of co-financed infrastructure projects, predominantly in the transport infrastructure sector. The key objective would be to increase the intensity of AusAID oversight of this portfolio.

• Support technical engagement with partner governments and Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) on infrastructure project implementation, including by participating in review missions and through ongoing engagement with project teams. The infrastructure adviser would be an integral member of the joint, multi-disciplinary MDB/AusAID project teams.

• Support AusAID in planning of potential future infrastructure projects across the Mekong. This will involve participating in identification and project preparation missions, providing technical advice to partner government and other implementing partners and contributing to the preparation of project documents.

Results/Monitoring and Evaluation

• Assist AusAID to identify and describe the results and impact of infrastructure projects in the Mekong, both in terms of their immediate impact, longer-term benefits, and regional integration impact. This will require support to AusAID country offices on project quality reporting for at least ten projects, as well as the production of documents describing high-level results in non-technical language.

Infrastructure policy and analysis

• Provide expert advice and analysis to AusAID, partner governments, and other stakeholders on infrastructure matters (with a focus on transport infrastructure), including but not limited to, advice on infrastructure policy, including public-private partnerships and other innovative financing mechanisms for infrastructure projects.

Representation

• Represent AusAID formally at events in the Mekong subregion or elsewhere within the area of responsibility.

Eligibility/Other Requirements
Educational:
A relevant civil engineering qualification preferred but consideration will be given to candidates with qualifications in other disciplines relevant to infrastructure program design and management.

Occupational Experience:

At least 10 years relevant experience of which at least 5 years should have been on developing countries and at least 2 years resident overseas. Practical experience in infrastructure program design and management is required.
The primary requirement is for expertise in transport infrastructure (including transport infrastructure policy), although it would be advantageous if candidates had experience in other infrastructure sub-sectors, including energy, and water and sanitation.

Other Requirements:

The applicant must be available for frequent short travel within the Mekong subregion (particularly Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos) and occasional international meetings outside the Mekong subregion,
The position is full time and anticipated to be based in Hanoi, Vietnam. (This may be negotiable given residency of incumbent and AusAID available resources and operational priorities.)
Experience of working with or for major international development agencies would be an asset.

Selection Criteria

Important: The Selection Criteria are used to assess an applicant’s suitability for a position. Applicants must provide a statement of claims addressing the selection criteria below. Statements should detail suitability to perform the duties of the position including personal qualities, experience, skills and knowledge relative to the selection criteria.

1. Sound knowledge of the infrastructure sector in international development, and appreciation of the main infrastructure challenges in developing countries;
2. Good understanding of multilateral and/or bilateral donors program and project management procedures relating to project identification, preparation, appraisal and implementation, including aid effectiveness principles and evaluating the impact of infrastructure projects
3. High level oral and written communication skills, including representation and liaison skills;
4. Strong analytical skills, sound judgement and the capacity to think strategically, including the ability to produce high quality policy materials and advice for development implementation;
5. The ability to work effectively as part of a team within an Australian Government Agency that is accountable to the Australian people through their Parliament;

NB: All AusAID employees demonstrate a commitment to the APS Code of Conduct and Values, as well as to workplace diversity, occupational health and safety and employee participation principles and have appropriate cross-cultural sensitivities.

How to apply

Those interested in this position should lodge the following:
• A covering letter.
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than 3 pages.
• A statement (no more than half a page per criterion) in support of your application, using the selection criteria as headings, to describe how you consider yourself suitable against each of the selection criteria by providing relevant examples from work, study or community roles.
Applicants should ensure that they address all of the prescribed selection criteria
• Details of two referees who may be contacted if required.

All lodgement of applications and enquiries and should be addressed to: AusAID Recruitment by email mekong.jobs@ausaid.gov.au or facsimile +84 4 3831 7706, by 5:00pm (Hanoi Time) on Friday 23 December 2011. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interview.