Infrastructure Asset Management Specialist

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Dakar, Senegal, the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) delivers high-quality project management, infrastructure, and procurement services across 16 countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Togo. Aligned with UNOPS’ mission, WAMCO supports partners in peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. WAMCO’s portfolio spans key sectors such as health, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, environment, infrastructure, justice, and peace and security. Notable projects include the construction of pre-preschools for early childhood development in Senegal (in partnership with KOICA and UNICEF), capacity-building for national agencies on disaster risk reduction and resource management, and the development of rural mini-grid electrification systems in Sierra Leone. Through these initiatives, WAMCO contributes to inclusive growth and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region.

UNOPS is the operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the delivery of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects worldwide. This assignment directly supports the joint UN DESA and UNOPS project “Localizing the SDGs through more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure (Phase II)”, implemented by the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) of UN DESA in partnership with UNOPS across six countries: Kenya, Senegal, The Federated States of Micronesia, The Gambia, Uganda and Zambia. 

The project aims to accelerate the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by strengthening the capacity of local and national governments to plan, manage, and sustain resilient infrastructure systems. Building on Phase 1of the project, this phase focuses on institutionalizing infrastructure asset management (IAM) practices and strengthening enabling policy frameworks for sustainable, inclusive, and risk-informed infrastructure development. The expected outcomes include improved IAM practices, institutionalized training programs, and enhanced resilience and sustainability of infrastructure systems. 

Phase II will deliver strengthened IAM systems in each participating country, the integration of Asset Management Action Plans (AMAPs) into local development plans, expanded training for public officials, and a new edition of the United Nations Handbook on Infrastructure Asset Management incorporating case studies, and refined and new tools as per government demand. It will provide tailored technical assistance and capacity-building to address country-specific gaps while fostering regional peer learning and South-South cooperation.

Under the direct supervision of the UNOPS Country Office and in close coordination with the Project Manager and UN DESA technical teams, the Infrastructure Asset Management Specialist will drive the following two core workstreams:

Output 2.1: Technical assistance for local governments’ AMAPs implementation.

Output 2.2: Strengthened National Enabling Environment for IAM.

The Infrastructure Management Specialist will carry out the following tasks: 

A. Output 2.1: Technical assistance for counties’ AMAPs implementation

Review AMAPs developed by participating local governments/municipalities with the technical support of UN DESA.

Engage with local government technical focal points and leadership to align, prioritize, and agree on high-priority interventions that can be supported through technical assistance/ procurement of services.

Draft ToRs/specifications required to procure services or technical assistance. 

Provide technical oversight and implementation support to contracted service providers.

Draft a summary report of AMAP actions supported.

B. Output 2.2: Strengthened National Enabling Environment for IAM 

Attend mandatory training on the UNOPS EnABLE-IAM methodology. 

Conduct a comprehensive desk review of national development strategies, policies, sector plans, infrastructure funding mechanisms, etc.  

Design and conduct structured stakeholder consultations across line ministries and central oversight bodies to identify challenges and validate desk review data.

Formulate a comprehensive enabling environment report detailing prioritized regulatory, institutional, and capacity reforms.

Prepare an enabling environment validation workshop, including methodology and presentation packages.

Facilitate the Infrastructure Asset Management Enabling Environment Workshop.

Incorporate stakeholder feedback into the enabling environment report to submit a finalized, government-endorsed National IAM Enabling Environment Roadmap.

C. Project coordination & knowledge management

Develop an initial work plan and detailed schedule for the entire assignment.

Participate in regular coordination meetings with the Project Manager and the UNOPS Country Office.

Contribute quality technical narrative inputs for internal check-ins and formal progress reporting.

Participate in project-wide lessons learned discussions and contribute to the recontextualization of global IAM tools.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Workplan and timeline

• Description: Conduct a thorough review of project documentation and tools.

• Allocated level of effort: 4 days

• Payment: 25%

Deliverable 2: AMAPs review and actions prioritization

• Description: AMAP summary report detailing priority actions; Formally documented municipal stakeholder agreements identifying priority actions.

• Allocated level of effort: 8 days

• Payment: [N/A or combined with Deliverable 1]

Deliverable 3: AMAP implementation support

• Description: Technical ToRs and procurement specifications for AMAP actions implementation; Consolidated AMAP Actions Implementation Report.

• Allocated level of effort: 13 days

• Payment: 20%

Deliverable 4: National EE Assessment and progress workshop

• Description: EnABLE assessment initiation and desktop review; Stakeholder mapping, consultation plan and coordination; Stakeholder consultation; Draft enabling environment assessment (80% draft of IAM EE roadmap); Presentation and methodology materials for EE Workshop; Logistical and operational support for EE Workshop; Delivery of the National EE Workshop; EE Workshop Report capturing main discussion points and agreements.

• Allocated level of effort: 30 days

• Payment: 35%

Deliverable 5: Final Roadmap Recontextualization

• Description: Final IAM EE Roadmap.

• Allocated level of effort: 15 days

• Payment: 20%

Total Allocated Level of Effort: 70 days | Total Payment: 100%

Required

• Advanced degree in engineering, architecture, project management, public administration, urban development, economics, or a related field

Required

• Master’s degree and 5 years of progressively responsible experience in architecture, infrastructure or infrastructure asset management is required. 

• Demonstrated expertise in asset inventories, lifecycle planning, or institutional capacity development is required.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the national public sector and infrastructure development challenges specific to Senegal is required. 

• Strong command of standard office IT tools and Google Workspace environments (including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet) for technical collaboration is required

Desired

•  Familiarity with UN IAM tools and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is desirable.

• Proficiency in geographic information systems (GIS) and global asset management standards is desirable

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