DCO_IEPS-Associate_Director_(TVS)_PD.pdf

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification: Associate Director (Transport and Vertical Structures), MC-301-3b

Position Number:

Introduction:

MCC’s mission is to provide grant assistance to support economic growth and poverty reduction in select developing countries with a demonstrated commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. MCC’s partner countries enter into a five-year agreement (Compact) with MCC that includes a plan for achieving shared development objectives and the responsibilities of each country in achieving those objectives.

Our model is defined by core principles, of selectivity, country ownership, transparency, and a focus on results.

Our values identify who we are and what is important to us. Our Values are CLEAR: Embrace Collaboration, Always Learn, Practice Excellence, Be Accountable and Respect individuals and ideas. MCC’s values define how we behave on a daily basis, both as individuals and as an institution, in pursuit of our mission. They guide how we make decisions, set priorities, address challenges, manage tradeoffs, recruit and develop staff, and work together with our country partners and stakeholders.

Within DCO, the Division of Infrastructure, Environment, and Private Sector is responsible for the development and oversight of MCC’s infrastructure investments (which account for two-thirds of the agency’s portfolio), private sector development programs and partnerships, and the environmental and social performance of all MCC projects.

NOTE: This is a standardized position description and is used throughout Department of Compact Operations, Infrastructure, Environment and Private Sector (IEPS), Transportation and Vertical Structures (TVS).

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs a variety of assignments associated with the management and oversight of the design, development, and implementation of Transport and Vertical Structures (TVS) programs and projects in MCC Compacts. In particular, prepares plans for Compact with TVS programs and provides implementation oversight and program management support to TVS projects at each stage of the project development cycle from planning, concept design, feasibility studies, detailed engineering design, and construction to commissioning as well as operations and maintenance. Assists with overall project scheduling, budgeting, quality assurance, change management, contract administration, and project controls.

Works as part of multi-disciplinary country team consisting of a combination of MCC staff, consultants and contractors overseeing country programs involving projects in one or more of the following TVS sub-sectors: roads (i.e., multilane highways, primary roads, secondary roads, rural roads, urban roads, road operations and maintenance), , airports, ports, railways, multimodal transport, trade facilitation and other transportation infrastructure, as well as vertical structures including (but not limited to) schools, health centers, housing, terminals, and other building facilities. . Works on multiple countries concurrently.

Oversees projects in context of complex political, environmental, social, and health and safety contexts or other variables and unknowns affecting planning, design and operational criteria and often-present critical challenges with respect to costs and economics. Works with other sectors towards the optimal resolution of such challenges as well as satisfying the urgency or public interest of particular investments. Solutions to these projects often establish standards and are used as a model for future similar projects.

Systematically, monitors and tracks and anticipates project challenges and pro-actively proposes options to address them, to the extent feasible, consistent with the combined needs of other sector specialists – and provides status reports to senior staff, with an emphasis on completion, integration, quality and cost risks.

Participates in the design and development of Compacts, including, but not limited to: technical assessment of constraints analyses, concept papers, and proposals; collection and analysis of data and information to finalize proposals; coordination with consultants on feasibility assessments and on project appraisal; drafting portions of the internal investment memorandum and other decision documents, supporting such inputs with appropriate analyses and supporting studies.

Works with MCC and host country MCA teams to develop project budgets for TVS projects and related activities at the outset of the project as well as updated estimates of costs to complete and contingency requirements during the course of project implementation.

Supports the development of implementation plans for Compact programs and projects using appropriate project management tools and tracks implementation progress, anticipating and identifying issues as they arise and concurrently developing optimal solutions with a view of sustainability.

Reviews and comments on documents submitted in connection with MCC clearance of MCA procurement packages, work plans, and disbursement requests, making recommendations to management as may be appropriate, consistent with policies and procedures and technical best practice.

Provides advice and guidance when technical interpretations, opinions, or decisions are solicited. Consultations involve assessment of engineering design, specifications, evaluations, construction scheduling, and related project risks as well as assessment of operational capabilities of contractors, supervisors and project management consultants supporting the

MCA.

Participates in oversight reviews of Compact operations to ascertain that TVS projects and programs meet expectations against schedule and budget requirements; performance standards; environmental, health and safety requirements; objectives and indicators.

Reports on project-related implementation risks, providing input to risk management plans and risk analyses for MCC management.

Prepares relevant documentation and reports, and maintains the required databases during implementation of projects.

Provides analysis and interpretation of country Compact performance data. Develops, consolidates, and/or prepares briefing and background materials on infrastructure and integrated projects, issues and topics.

Assists in the formulation of budgets for consultants to be hired by MCC, drafting scopes of work, serving on evaluation panels, issuance of technical directives, review and acceptance of consultant deliverables, tracking billings, in support of the COTR or Project Monitor or in the capacity of the Project Monitor.

In context of the development of Compacts and their implementation, works closely with the in country counterparts and contributes to the exchange of information, co-learning, and constructive dialogue that is needed for the MCAs to fully understand MCC policies, standards, and requirements – while also considering local context, capacity and limitations. In the course of interaction with country counterparts, contributes to their capacity building, particularly in areas of project management and implementation.

Throughout the Compact development and implementation cycle, contributes to gathering and consolidating of lessons learned resulting from the implementation of TVS related investments and pro-actively shares these with the broader MCC staff, other MCA countries and broader stakeholders as necessary in order to position the MCC at the leading edge of the discipline in context of international development.

Provides research and analysis on complex issues regarding the monitoring and evaluation of long-term infrastructure projects and programs affiliated with country compacts.

Provides independent analysis and interpretation of performance data, while considering different input from other team members. Identifies and makes recommendations regarding performance and specification compliance issues. Identifies and investigates complex problems and conflicts in assigned area of responsibility involving program and project requirements, objectives, interfaces, operations, or schedules.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Factor 1 - Knowledge Required by the Position

Ability to interpret policies and best practices and provide advice and guidance on their application to development and/or implementation issues related to large, complex, multi-year TVS infrastructure projects particularly with regard to program/project management.

Knowledge of planning, engineering design, construction, operations and maintenance of roadways, railways, runways and other similar horizontal infrastructure including pavements, drainage structures, bridges.

Knowledge of the policies and guidelines of TVS infrastructure programs and operations – and familiarity with other non-infrastructure factors (e.g., environmental, social, political, economic, monitoring and evaluation) sufficient to provide guidance and develop optimal and integrated solutions to Compact development and/or implementation challenges.

Mastery of the concepts and application of current best practices of project management.

Knowledge of program and project management procedures and operations to work with country teams and Resident Country Missions, as well as with TVS Directors.

Ability to interpret policies and best practices and provide advice and guidance on their application to development and/or implementation issues related to large, complex, multi-year TVS projects particularly with regard to project management.

Knowledge of core principles, practices, and techniques for monitoring and managing issue resolution associated with complex, multi-year development programs and activities. Ability to work cross functionally and to integrate issues across a range of related disciplinary areas.

Ability to draft comprehensive reports to inform management of progress being made, as well as successes and concerns related to on-going infrastructure projects/programs.

Project / program management / leadership skills needed to work with teams composed of staff of different levels, some internal (others external) while progressing a TVS project towards a common vision / outcome.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate engineering principles, concepts and requirements to peers but also to non-engineering specialists and other sectors so as to be able to effectively function within a multidisciplinary team.

Exposure to international development context and cross cultural sensitively sufficient to be able to function with a view of contextual (environmental, social, gender-specific, or other) requirements which influence both the implementation and operational viability of investments in development contexts.

Strong oral presentation and written skills to develop comprehensive reports and to present and explain findings and recommendations to MCC management officials and other interested parties.

Factor 2 - Supervisory Controls

The incumbent reports to the Senior Director and higher graded staff who, along with the employee, develop a mutually acceptable project plan which typically includes identification of the work to be done, the scope of the work, and deadlines for its completion. Within the parameters of the approved project plan, the employee is responsible for planning and organizing the work, estimating costs, coordinating with staff and line management personnel, and conducting all phases of the project. The employee informs the supervisor(s) of potentially controversial findings, issues, or problems with widespread impact.

Completed projects, evaluations, reports, or recommendations are reviewed by the supervisor for compatibility with organizational goals, guidelines, and effectiveness in achieving intended objectives.

Factor 3 – Guidelines

Guidelines consist of general administrative policies, and program, management and organizational theories which require considerable adaptation and/or interpretation for application to issues and problems studied. Policies and precedent studies provide a basic outline of results desired, but do not go into detail as to the methods used to accomplish the project. Within the context of broad regulatory and procedural guidelines, the employee refines or develops more specific guidelines, such as implementing new or revised processes, methods and procedures.

Factor 4 – Complexity

The employee analyzes interrelated issues of effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of substantive mission-oriented infrastructure programs. The incumbent develops detailed plans and objectives for the implementation and administration of programs, and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Decisions concerning planning, organizing, and conducting studies are complicated by conditions, such as conflicting program goals and objectives. Options, recommendations, and conclusions take into account uncertainties about the data and other variables which affect long-range program performance.

Factor 5 - Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to analyze and evaluate major aspects of substantive, mission oriented programs. The employee evaluates the effectiveness of TVS programs and operations and identifies and resolves problems and copes with issues which directly affect the accomplishment of principal MCC objectives. The employee provides input to the development of procedures or guidelines for the conduct of program operations, or new criteria for measuring program accomplishments. Study reports contain findings and recommendations of major significance to management officials, and often serve as the basis for new administrative systems, programs and practices.

Factor 6/7 - Personal Contacts/Purpose of Contacts

Personal contacts include individuals and groups at all levels of the Corporation, representatives from other Federal agencies/organizations, MCAs, contractors, and the general public. The purpose of contacts is to influence, motivate, persuade or negotiate with others who may hold different points of views in order to influence managers or other officials to accept recommendations or to obtain the desired effect.

Factor 8 - Physical Demands

The work is primarily sedentary, although some walking, bending, or carrying of light items may be involved. Frequent travel required.

Factor 9 – 1 Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting, although there is an expectation of work in the field.