About Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Timor-Leste
MCA Timor-Leste, collaborating with the Government of Timor-Leste and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the Government of the United States of America, is responsible for implementing the $420 million Timor-Leste Compact, together with an additional contribution of $64 million from the Government of Timor-Leste—representing a total $484 million investment in Timor-Leste. The Compact aims to address human capital development as a binding constraint to economic growth in Timor-Leste through two projects: the Water, Sanitation, and Drainage (WSD) Project and the Teaching and Leading the Next generation of Timorese (TALENT) Project.
On behalf of the Government of Timor-Leste, the MCA-TL is seeking qualified candidates to join a dynamic team of development professionals based in Dili, Timor Leste.
Position Overview
The Infrastructure Manager for the TALENT project is responsible for day-to-day management and implementation of the design, supervision and construction contracts for a new building for the Center of Excellence (CoE). This includes all technical, administrative, compliance, and accountability functions relevant to Project infrastructure. More specifically, the Infrastructure Manager, TALENT Project Center of Excellence will:
• Work closely with the TALENT Managing Director, Director of the Center of Excellence, Director of Secondary Education, and their contractors/consultants to ensure design and construction of Center of Excellence infrastructure reflect program objectives and comply with MCC’s infrastructure policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with the designated focal points, including the Center of Excellence Board of Directors, the Ministry of Higher Education, and a Technical Advisory Committee, and manage the project cycle to ensure stakeholder involvement in the architectural design and implementation of the infrastructure under the Project
• Coordinate the day-to-day work with the MCA-TL gender and social inclusion, environment and social performance, and resettlement staff assigned to contribute to infrastructure activities.
• Support Director of the Center of Excellence and other MCA staff in public outreach and stakeholder communications with respect to the CoE infrastructure activity.
• Serve as point-of-contract for MCC staff with respect to the infrastructure for the TALENT project
• Prepare and review all relevant project documents for all phases of project design and implementation. Create, track, and update implementation plans for infrastructure components of the Project, including the preparation of budgets, disbursement request packages, work plans, procurement plans, and monitoring and evaluation plans, for MCA-Timor-Leste submission to MCC. Provide reports on the implementation progress as requested.
• Identify bottlenecks, risks, and mitigation strategies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and adapt project conditions to address these challenges.
• Manage technical aspects of procurement in the services of consultants and contractors who will provide services or works.
• Participate in strategy decision-making for consulting services, infrastructure works, and other contracts, and draft, review, and recommend approval of terms of reference, technical specifications, and bidding documents.
• Serve as lead contract manager on all TALENT infrastructure consulting and works contracts. Make decisions regarding deliverables and approvals of invoices and payments. Lead or support MCA-Timor-Leste and Government entities to assure all conditions are in place for effective contract performance
• Ensure that infrastructure implementation adheres to relevant MCC guidelines while complying with Timorese law. This includes, but is not limited to MCC’s Vertical Structures Guidelines, Environmental and Social Performance, Social and Gender Inclusion, Monitoring & Evaluation, Economic and Beneficiary Analysis, and the Cost Principles.
• Oversee the daily implementation of the Environmental, Social, Health and Safety Management System and Social and Gender Integration Plan for infrastructure aspects of the Project. Participate in and supply input to the documentation and review for these processes.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as requested by the Director of the Center of Excellence for TALENT Project.
Requirements (Education, Experience, Competencies)
• A degree in architecture or a relevant engineering discipline. Appropriate professional registration/licensure is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 10 or more years of professional experience in project management of building projects in all phases –Programming, Feasibility and Design, Construction, Construction Inspection, Close Out, Construction Management, Contract Negotiations, Cost Estimating.
• Excellent contract management skills with demonstrated experience managing small to mid-size construction contracts.
• Extensive experience and/or deep familiarity with similar projects in the Timor-Leste context.
• Familiarity with implementing gender and socially inclusive programs as well as with meeting environmental, social, and health and safety requirements, especially as related to the education sector, is preferred.
• Experience and familiarity with project management tools, such as Microsoft Project or Primavera.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and persuasively in English both orally and in writing. Ability to comprehend Portuguese text is a plus.
• Excellent ability to communicate and work in a team, particularly as it requires collaborating across departments/divisions to achieve common objectives.
• Experienced project manager, with knowledge and understanding of budget, contract and work plan management.
• Capacity to act decisively and make independent decisions.
How to apply
How to apply
Applications must be submitted in English by email to [email protected]. Applications documents must include:
- A CV of no more than 3 pages describing the candidate’s qualifications and experience related to the PDs.
- Electronic copy of the relevant Academic Certificate(s); and
- A list of 3 professional references (including at least 1 former supervisor), including name, title, relationship with the candidate, telephone number, and e-mail address.
Detailed information on the vacancies, position descriptions (PDs), and requirements (education, experience, competencies) can be viewed from www.mca.tl/en/jobs. To ensure equal opportunity and neutrality, application documents should not include details related to age, marital status, political, religious affiliation and family information.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further recruitment phase. Short-listed candidates will be expected to submit samples of relevant past work assignments and demonstrate required language proficiency when applicable. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and security checks, the results of which will form the basis for the final hiring decisions.
This employment opportunity is open to all eligible candidates regardless of their nationalities, race, ethnicity, gender and religion. Timorese Nationals and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. All positions will be based in Dili, Timor-Leste. A competitive compensation package will be provided.