- Department: Infrastructure
- Directorate: PPDU
- Grade: P4
- Annual Salary: USD 44,328 – USD 51,637
- Supervisor: Director, PPDU
- Reference: ECW-COMM/REC/PPDU-P/002/2016
- Duration: one year, renewable, based on performance
- Duty Station: Lomé, Togo
By Regulation C/REG.18/01/05 dated 18th January 2005, the ECOWAS Council of Ministers created within the ECOWAS Executive Secretariat, a unit for the implementation of NEPAD infrastructure projects, known as PDIU. This unit was responsible for the development and implementation of regional infrastructure projects, especially those of NEPAD.
Creating the PPDU was an idea designed by the African States to implement regional integration policies which will ensure their development and those related to infrastructure projects of the NEPAD’s Short-Term Action Plan (PACT).(STAP). As a Regional Economic Community (REC), the ECOWAS Commission was mandated by the African Union to implement STAP in its region. The main findings drawn from the lack of infrastructural investment in the region are:
- Energy: with a mere 30% access to energy, this rate is one of the poorest in the world (53% in the urban area and 8% in the rural area). Consequently, only 54% of the energy demand is met despite the region’s huge resource potentials. Out of an available 26 GW hydraulic power, only 16% are being exploited.
- Air transport: The sector is marked by a lack of connection between the various capitals of the region, a car crash rate three times higher than the global average, high cost of passenger tickets and freights unaffordable by the general public;
- Road transport: The road networks built are in a dilapidated state causing serious accidents, with numerous checkpoints and hindering the construction of regional highways;
- Railway networks are in a state of disrepair and inadequate for modern rail transport, and the existing rail lines are not interconnected;
- Maritime transport has ceased to exist along with the national shipping lines. The exit delay is 15 days against a global average of 3 days, including the fact that most ports do not meet international standards.
- Telecommunications: Poor international connectivity and high costs for consumers are the main characteristics of this sector.
This situation affects the competitiveness of the region’s companies and industries when compared with others worldwide as infrastructure is a major cause of high production costs. This can be mainly attributed to poor implementation of investment due to lack of funds. The PPDU was therefore created to develop feasibility studies that will make regional projects viable, integrating and bankable.
As part of its support to PPDU and in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in February 2015 between the ECOWAS Commission and the Kingdom of Spain, a dedicated part of the financing contribution will be used for the recruitment of one Specialist who will assist the Unit in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and resource mobilization.
- OBJECTIVE
The general objective of the services is to:
- Provide the PPDU with qualified technical assistance for the smooth implementation of its project preparation activities; and
- Enhance the capacity of the Unit.
The specific objectives of the services are to:
- Contribute to the development of projects studies in the railway sector;
- Complete successfully the selection process of eligible regional infrastructure projects for the development of feasibility studies and closure of funding requests;
- Attract more private sector participation in financing infrastructure projects;
- Assist in the mobilization of resources for the closure of regional infrastructure projects financing;
- Support and strengthen the Unit’s capacity with qualified personnel.
- Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Director PPDU, the service shall involve (i) identification, monitoring and implementation of projects which can be considered for funding through the PPP and (ii) resource mobilization in view of facilitating the implementation of regional projects.
Non-exhaustively, the functions shall include among others:
- strengthening the internal capacity of the Unit, namely by ensuring enhanced synergy between the different sectors (energy, transport, telecommunications and water resources);
- identifying infrastructure projects for which PPP funding is likely to be sought and considering the suitable arrangement for the specific case ;
- developingguidelines, procedures andcriteria forthe evaluation ofPPPprojectstaking into account the special features of infrastructuresector;
- providing guidancein the development ofstrategies, policies, procedures and programs for PPP;
- assisting in resource mobilizationbypreparing relevant documentsfor the organisation ofTechnical and Financial partners foraand meetings; and
- trainingPPDUstaffinPPPprocedures andresource mobilisationon specificmodules;
- Educational Qualifications & Experience
- At least a Bachelor’s degree in one of the followingfields of application:BusinessAdministration, Engineering, Law and other related fields;
- Minimum of 7 years of experiencein the developmentof infrastructure andPPPin the area of infrastructure, preferably indeveloping countries, including policy development, management of the legaland institutional frameworkas well as the financial and technicalaspects of projects;
- Good understanding ofstrategic and regulatoryissues onPPPs indeveloping countries;
- Good knowledge of therole of the privatesector in public service deliveryindeveloping countries;
- Good knowledge ofPPPregulation including legislationindeveloping countries ;
- Excellent knowledge ofproject promotion(for potential future PPP developers) ;
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team and a multicultural environment;
- Familiarity with policies and procedures of multilateral and bilateral agencies;
- Proficiency in the use of standard computer applications (e.g. MS Office);
- Age
Candidates should not be over 50 years old at the point of recruitment and must be citizens of one of the ECOWAS Member States.
Language
The candidate must be fluent (written and spoken) in one of the ECOWAS official languages: English, French or Portuguese. Proficiency on another working language would be an advantage.
