Head of the Infrastructure Unit at NEPAD, Midrand, South Africa

Closing date: Monday, 2 March 2015

As a federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.For our location in South Africa/Midrand we are looking for aJOB-ID: 21361

Field of activity

PIDA stands for the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa. The PIDA Priority Action Plan (PIDA-PAP) will be realized until 2020. It comprises 51 cross-border infrastructure programmes decomposed into more than 400 actionable projects in the four sectors energy, transport, trans-boundary water and computerized technology. Since strong coordination is needed among the various institutions dealing with infrastructure, an Institutional Architecture for Infrastructure Development in Africa (IAIDA) was approved. According to IAIDA, the NEPAD (The New Partnership for Africa`s Development) Agency is the executing agency for PIDA Implementation. Since PIDA is a central flagship programme, the NEPAD Agency has set up a Strategic Business Unit for infrastructure, uniquely focusing on PIDA implementation.

Your tasks

As Head of the Infrastructure Unit you will directly report to NEPAD´s CEO on all unit activities. Moreover, you will be the one to fulfil NEPAD´s mandate with respect to the PIDA process. Your tasks include:

• Coordinate and manage the development, implementation and evaluation of NEPAD Agency`s support to PIDA-PAP implementation for quality results within defined timeframes
• Operationalize, plan and lead the implementation of the PIDA-PAP Roadmap as adopted and reviewed by the PIDA Steering Committee
• Identify gaps, conceptualize improved PIDA-PAP implementation measures and manage execution of measures
• Provide senior technical advisory support to the CEO on infrastructure issues and analysis relating to program/project implementation, policy and regulatory design as well as technical quality assurance and standards
• Ensure meaningful monitoring and evaluation of PIDA-PAP implementation and report progress and challenges to NEPAD CEO, and ascertain the financial needs of the unit
• Liaise with PIDA key stakeholders (African Union Commission, African Development Bank, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, etc.) and ensure sound relationships are built and nurtured
• Institutionalize and consolidate the Strategic Business Unit for Infrastructure as an efficient PIDA-PAP implementer
• Compile and track unit?s workplans and ensure results-based management
• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the four Sector Units (Energy, ICT, Transport and Transboundary Water Management)
• Allocate assigned resources most efficiently and effectively for PIDA-PAP implementation
• Provide input in selecting staff members and ensure effective composition of a PIDA team
• Instruct staff of the unit, including coaching, mentoring, training, assisting in problem solving

Your profile

• Minimum a Master's degree in engineering, business administration, finance, economics or related field. A PhD in the aforementioned disciplines will be an added advantage
• Longstanding working experience in infrastructure projects in Africa
• Proven track record of project management and sound experience in financial and risk management practices
• Proven experience in steering, formulating, planning and monitoring programme implementation
• Experience working in/with international organizations and/or private sector organization in African countries including proven experience in managing complex multi-stakeholder processes in politically sensitive contexts
• Profound knowledge of pan-African institutions and PIDA
• Excellent writing, facilitation and presentation skills in order to provide effective leadership to the team, articulate and promote NEPAD and African sectoral positions, compose and defend requests for support or particular actions
• Excellent ability to identify opportunities and build strong relationships with partners and other external parties
• Excellent strategic visioning, planning, implementation, monitoring & evaluation and reporting skills
• Ability to leverage limited resources and staff for maximum impact as well as ability to perform multiple tasks whilst keeping the big picture
• High level of integrity and accountability coupled with enthusiasm and commitment to accelerate PIDA implementation for an integrated and interconnected Africa

Assignment period

01.04.2015 - 31.08.2018

What we offer you

We create prospects for people and with people. As GIZ has an international mandate, we offer a multicultural working environment. We are committed service providers and dedicated professionals, even under difficult circumstances. We take pride in enabling our employees to develop their professional and personal skills. There are plenty of reasons to join our motivated team - ranging from the diverse challenges you will face on a daily basis in one of our 130 partner countries, to the broad scope you will have for shaping your work.

Other information

The position requires a moderate amount of travelling in Africa. The Head of Infrastructure will be employed by GIZ and then seconded to NPCA.

Please note that we basically can only receive and process applications sent via our e-recruiting system. Should you not be able to do so, please contact the person named in the job advertisement.

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We welcome job applications from people with disabilities.

If you are interested, please do not hesitate to apply until 02.03.2015.

Contact department:

Gabriele Mueller

++49 - (0)6196 - 79 - 2164

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