Power Sector Reform Specialist (Transmission)

Position:

Power Sector Reform Specialist (Transmission)

Division:

Project Delivery

Report to:

Project Manager –Power SectorTechnical Assistance

Band:

C

Background & Project Description

In September 2017, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $500 million compact agreement with the Government of Nepal. The Compact aims to increase the availability and reliability of electricity, maintain road quality, and facilitate power trade between Nepal and India—helping to spur investments, and accelerate economic growth. The compact agreement is valid for a period of five years, and is currently in implementation stage, prior to Entry-Into-Force (EIF) at which time the five-year time period begins. 

Pursuant to the aforementioned agreement, the entity charged with implementing the project has been established as the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal entity. This position will assume a critical role in the success of MCA-Nepal. 

Position Objective

The Power Sector Technical Assistance Specialist (Transmission) under the supervision of the Power Sector TAProject Manager, Technical Assistance, is responsible is responsible for the daily execution, monitoring, and supervision of a range of activities supporting the Electricity Transmission Project’s (ETP) Technical Assistance Activity related to strengthening operations at the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) ensuring consistency with established work plans and implementation guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management 

• Under the direction of the Project Manager, prepare, update and monitor all relevant project management tools including but not limited to: work plans (schedules), procurement plans, detailed financial plans (budgets), risk management plans and scoping documents (activity descriptions, terms of reference, etc.);
• Ensure the delivery of effective technical assistance activities by securing and overseeing high-quality contractors through development of comprehensive scoping documents; preparing tender documents; conducting high-quality procurements; and implementing robust contract management procedures; 
• Consolidate project statistics from multiple sources and review these for accuracy and compliance with established formats to support implementation, monitoring, and analytics;
• Advise Project Manager, Technical Assistance, of issues related to the implementation of the project in order ensure the continuity of project delivery;  
• Monitor project budget, procurement activities, and contracts, ensuring that these are consistent with established MCA guidelines and that issues and discrepancies are resolved and reported. On quarterly basis, support preparation of disbursement request packages to ensure consistent flow of funding; 
• Monitor project timelines and milestones, anticipate delivery issues, and ensure that staff and external stakeholders are kept informed of project status to support overall project management and delivery; and
• Maintain project documentation and Operations Manuals ensuring that these are current and reflecting lessons learned to support the improvement of projects/processes.

Implementation 

• Execute and/or oversee a range of project implementation and support activities as defined by the project plan ensuring that these are delivered on a timely basis to support broader project initiatives and objectives, and ensure consistency of quality;
• Establish and sustain relationships with critical stakeholders at ETP partners to facilitate implementation of the Technical Assistance Activity through delivery of effective technical assistance, stakeholder engagement and dialogue, and other requirements to advance ETP goals; 
• Monitor implementation of activities and recommendations delivered under the ETP and identify options to address gaps in implementation or follow through on recommendations; 
• Represent the Technical Assistance Activity team as an integrated component of the MCA-Nepal ETP to project stakeholders (e.g., with national/local government counterparts, civil society, project beneficiaries, etc.) ensuring that collaborative relationships are built and maintained to facilitate the delivery of the program;
• Coordinate with relevant MCA-Nepal staff the effective gender and social inclusion into the development and implementation of the TA (transmission); and
• Develop and maintain an understanding of all ongoing activities linked to strengthening the power sector to include other technical assistance activities, institutional changes at ETP partners, sector investments, legal or regulatory changes, etc., as required to ensure the Technical Assistance Activity reflects current context. 

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Business, Management, Engineering, or other relevant field of study; Advanced Degree is preferred. Project Management Professional certification (PMP) is a plus. 
• At least five (5) years of cumulative experience (notwithstanding whether earned before, after or during pursuit of required academic qualification) professionally  in institutional reform and organizational development processes, particularly in public sector organizations.
• At least two (2) years of experience managing complex projects on time/on budget (>$1 million) including procurement, implementation and closeout phases
• Fluency with written and oral communication in Nepali and English
• Intimate knowledge of, and experience with, Nepal’s energy sector, preferably including an understanding of electric utility operations challenges and related development strategies.  
• Demonstrated experience as a leader and in consensus building; strong capability to multi-task and manage multiple work streams simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural local and international stakeholders and counterparts.
• Willing to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders.
• Responsible and flexible attitude and capable of working with minimal supervision.
• Computer skills (MS office, MS Project, Management Information Systems).  
• Have high integrity and exercise good judgement;

This Position Description is subject to revisions/updates as necessary to ensure alignment to the organization’s strategic direction and structure. Revisions to the description are subject to applicable Human Resources policies and procedures, and official versions of each Position Description are maintained by Human Resources.