PURPOSE
The Transport Engineer will assist in EIB investment and technical assistance operations in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on East and West Africa. The position is based in the EIB’s Regional Office in Nairobi; however, the successful candidate must be prepared to travel extensively within the East and West Africa region, and to other counties as needed. The duties will be performed in close cooperation with the EIB’s operational and technical departments concerned, including those based at the Headquarters in Luxembourg. He/she will work within multi-disciplinary teams on the preparation, appraisal, implementation, and monitoring of projects in accordance with EIB procedures.
OPERATING NETWORK
The Transport Engineer will report to the Head of the Regional Transport Programmes’ Division in Luxembourg and work closely with other professional staff of the Mobility Department, and Bank staff as appropriate, especially those in the Lending Directorate and Advisory Services Department and other colleagues in the Nairobi office. Day to day management in Nairobi will be under the Head of the Nairobi office while operational and technical guidance will be provided by PJ, in close cooperation with the ACP Coordinator and the Local Agent based in South Africa.
Projects would predominantly be in the transport sector. The Transport Engineer may occasionally need to complement other staff based in the Nairobi office, as a point of technical contact for other sectors.
Under the supervision of the Luxembourg based Head of Division and “project team leaders”, the Transport Engineer would work across the whole project cycle, with a focus on implementation, monitoring and works completion stages, but also be involved in origination and structuring as well as project implementation advisory support.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Analyse the technical, environmental and social as well as financial and economic aspects of project proposals with a view to developing business and early screening of projects.
Where appropriate, interact with project promoters and other relevant stakeholders, in close cooperation and with full involvement of the operational and technical departments concerned and local office staff.
Advise and follow up on procurement processes and other processes such as those pertaining to environmental and social issues, as needed.
Monitor project implementation as necessary.
Assist in the management of Technical Assistance operations involving the services of external consultants.
Follow and support the development of the transport sector in the Sub-Saharan region, with an emphasis on East and West Africa, and prepare briefings on key issues and strategic developments relevant to the Bank.
Where required, build relations with key external parties (e.g. international financing institutions, government representatives, local authorities, other institutions, etc).
Represent the EIB at events, for example, regular sector meetings, conferences or meetings with International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
Provide input to monitoring reports, project completion reports and project briefings to management.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
University degree in engineering or economics in relevant fields for the type of projects concerned in this post;
At least 5 years of experience with planning and implementation of transport projects and policy;
Multi-country working experience in particular in the Sub-Saharan Africa region would be an advantage;
Experience with evaluating proposals to finance projects;
Familiarity with the work of International Financial Institutions would be advantageous
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English;
Fluency in French would be a very distinct advantage
COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
Achievement Drive: continually keeps an eye on performance, focusing on improving it, showing drive and determination to meet short and long-term goals
Change Orientation: Adapts to differences and changes in the environment; takes a flexible approach to reach outcomes
Collaboration: Works cooperatively as part of a team; works collaboratively with peers across organizational boundaries based on a genuine interest in and an accurate understanding of others and their individual perspectives and concerns
Organisational Commitment: Is willing to commit to an organization whose mission is to support Europe and is open to diversity, and to align her/his own behavior with the organization’s needs and intrinsic values, acting with integrity in ways that promote the organization’s mission, policies and rules.