E T Consultant – Project Management Specialist

Since 2020, CTA has supported the Government of Jordan’s (GoJ) in developing a Project Preparation Development Facility (PPDF) and entered a strategic partnership with GoJ to build capacity within the PPP Unit and support the identification, preparation and implementation of bankable PPPs. The new PPP Law adopted in August 2023 has made the PPP Unit under the Ministry of Investment the key entity responsible for overseeing the preparation and tendering of PPP projects, in coordination with the relevant line ministries and stakeholders.

Under CTA’s partnership with the GoJ, CTA has been hiring qualified PPP professionals to work in the GoJ’s PPP Unit, for a period of 1 year, extendable to another year subject to mutually agreed terms, to support the PPP Unit’s work.  

Specifically, CTA is looking to recruit a Project Management Specialist, who will assist the PPP Unit Director and work closely with the PPP Unit staff, focusing on frontline operations, process management and technical aspects of the PPP Unit’s activities throughout the PPP project cycle. 

The Project Management Specialist will also play a key role in training the PPP Unit staff on project selection, preparation, structuring and implementation, to support the PPP Unit’s objective of developing a strong PPP pipeline and bringing PPP projects to fruition.

Roles and Responsibilities

The scope of work of the Project Management Specialist will include, but will not be limited to, supporting the PPP Unit in its responsibilities as follows:

• Train and mentor a team of professionals at junior and mid-management levels to support the functions of the PPP Unit
• Assist with the development of template documents and tools to support the PPP Unit’s work
• Assist with the development of the Management Information Systems component that tracks and monitors progress on projects
• Assist in originating PPP project leads, and in reviewing project leads and opportunities provided by line ministries or other sources unless that project lead or that source involves IFC
• Assist in the conduct of initial project screenings
• Assist in the preparation and review of Concept Notes
• Help assess the overall feasibility of projects
• Assist in the early identification and mitigation of environmental and social risks related to potential PPP projects, in line with Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) and IFC’s Performance Standards
• Assist in assessing the potential climate and gender impact of PPP projects
• Assist with early data collection efforts on proposed PPP projects
• Advise on the selection and management of consultants (e.g. legal, environmental, technical, financial or else, including PPP transaction advisor) including by preparing Terms of Reference or evaluation criteria as required
• Review consultant deliverables, except if IFC is the lead transaction advisor or is otherwise involved in the PPP project
• Advise on consultants’ recommendations for PPP project development, including tender strategy, risk allocation, scope and structure
• Report progress of project development to the PPP Unit Director or project committees as required
• Help in the review of lead transaction advisors’ proposals and assist the PPP Unit to select lead transaction advisors, except that if IFC is the proposed lead transaction advisor, strategic advisor or is otherwise involved in the proposed lead transaction advisor’s work or the PPP Project, then the Project Management Specialist will not participate in this activity in any way
• Advise the PPP Unit on the need, timing and magnitude of any government financial assistance required to enhance project viability and liaise with Ministry of Finance as required to provide such advice
• Assist the PPP Unit in engaging with relevant stakeholders e.g. by developing a communications system, both internally between various GoJ agencies and externally with donors, end-users, the general public and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to improve the general perception of PPPs, facilitate PPP implementation and create awareness
• Assist the PPP Unit in providing consultants with data required to carry out their scope of work, except that if IFC is the lead transaction advisor, strategic advisor or is otherwise involved in the lead transaction advisor’s work or the PPP project, then the Project Management Specialist will not participate in this activity in any way
• Perform such other tasks as may be assigned by IFC in consultation with the GoJ
• It should be noted that for any activity related to a Project’s implementation, if IFC is the proposed lead transaction advisor, strategic advisor or is otherwise involved in the proposed lead transaction advisor’s work or in the PPP project, then the Project Management Specialist will not participate in this activity in any way.

Selection Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the Project Management Specialist include, but are not limited to: 

• Degree in Finance, Project Management, Business or any relevant field
• 8-10 years of successful experience in projects development, transaction advisory, and/or project management in an infrastructure sector
• Must be familiar with project finance and PPP projects
• Must be comfortable with developing and analyzing complex reports and project structuring documents including contracts and financial models
• Previous working experience in Jordan will be considered an advantage
• Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven experience coaching and mentoring staff at all levels
• Good English speaking and writing skills, especially in report writing as well as in summarizing English reports
• Arabic speaking & writing skills in Arabic are considered a plus

Special Conditions

Although embedded in the PPP Unit, the Project Management Specialist will not have authority to represent or bind the PPP Unit nor the GoJ in any matter, including but not limited to negotiating, entering into, supervising, or making any other decision under any law, regulation, agreement or contract on behalf of the PPP Unit or the GoJ.

For avoidance of doubt, and in view of the potential for real or perceived conflicts of interests that may arise from the fact that the Project Management Specialist will be an IFC staff member embedded in the PPP Unit, the Project Management Specialist may not engage in any activities beyond those stipulated in the Description Section above, including but not limited to, receiving any information at any time regarding, or participating in, any of the following activities: 

• Deliberations or decisions regarding the appointment of IFC as advisor (including lead transaction advisor or strategic advisor) by the PPP Unit or GoJ
• Deliberations or decisions regarding the review, approval or sign off on IFC deliverables under any contract between IFC and the GoJ or the PPP Unit
• Deliberations or decisions regarding the terms, the management, the performance of IFC as a lead transaction advisor or strategic advisor for PPP projects in Jordan
• Deliberations or decisions for the PPP Unit to consult with IFC Investment on any matter, and consultations between IFC Investment and the PPP Unit on any matter
• Any other matter as determined from time to time by IFC in its absolute discretion

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27628&site=1