The Principal Manager is responsible for the delivery of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project preparation within the Uzbek PPP Project Development Facility (UPDF) established by the EBRD and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan (the "MoEF"). This facility is managed by the PPP Advisory Unit in SIG and the Donor Partnership team within EBRD.
The purpose of the job is to provide pipeline and project management of PPP project preparation TC for infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan. The Principal Manager will guide the process of evaluation of projects, approval by the parties, tender the work to external consultants and overview the consultants’ work together with the Uzbek authorities. They will directly manage the communications with the PPP Project Implementation Department under the MoEF (the “PPPID”) responsible for PPPs in Uzbekistan acting as Uzbek PPP Unit and ensure compliance with the contractual terms and pass-through requirements in the UPDF. In fulfilling these objectives, the Principal Manager will liaise with the EBRD internal and external stakeholders including several public Uzbek stakeholders. The Principal Manager will provide supervision including managing workloads, to ensure all the PPP projects under preparation are on time and being delivered as per the plan.
The Uzbek Government through the MoEF provides funding to EBRD of EUR 10 million over a five-year period for the development and procurement of infrastructure PPP projects in the country. The Principal Manager will be working within the PPPID and will report to the Head of the SI3P PPP Advisory Unit. The SI3P PPP Advisory Unit is responsible for supporting public sector clients in EBRD region to develop and implement infrastructure projects that involve private financing.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities :
Comply with the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between EBRD and the Uzbek Government as well as the Concept Note which defines the procedures to assess, approve and undertake new projects under the UPDF. While the Concept Note details each step of the preparation, implementation, and reporting, in terms of key responsibilities and processes, the following will be part of the responsibilities of the successful candidate:
Communicate on daily basis to the PPPID on the development of projects under the Facility
Assess and agree on projects to be prepared by the Facility and prepare the Terms of Reference for the external consultants;
Coordinate with the EBRD Procurement Department in the selection of consultants, signing of advisory contracts and mobilisation;
Coordinate with the EBRD PPP Advisory Unit for results-oriented outcomes ensuring consistency and meeting conditions under the approvals of the UPDF by both the EBRD and the MoEF.
Although the external advisors will be working directly with public Uzbek counterparties, the Principal Manager should be able to ensure overview and quality of the work provided by consultants to the public stakeholders;
With support from the EBRD PPP Advisory Unit, work with the PPPID and different Uzbek authorities on the review and assessment of potential PPP projects that are under preparation separately. This may include review of:
feasibility sietuds and PPP structuring documents of a project
tender documents and agreements of the project
evaluation reports
execution version of the project’s agreements
financing agreements
Provide input into the design and development of projects in coordination with different stakeholders, including the private sector in Uzbekistan, and potential foreign investors;
Monitor headroom utilisation under the UPDF for both project preparation and policy dialogue activities.
Monitor implementation and results for all projects that benefit from the support of the facility. Ensure that all relevant deliverables, procurements, and project documents meet EBRD Environmental and Social policies;
Prepare semi-annual operational reporting to the MoEF;
Coordinate visibility of the Facility and ensure the projects supported by UPDF are implemented in line with the relevant visibility action plan agreed with the Uzbek Government.
Work in parallel in up to five projects and activities under preparation by UPDF.
Coordinate with Donor Partnerships on the management of resources of the UPDF, to ensure compliance with donor requirements
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications :
Experience:
Relevant experience (at least 5 years) in PPP Project preparation, tendering, or financing including some experience with advisory on PPP transactions
Exposure to private sector and experience in the financial sector. Having working experience with International Finance Institutions and/or large advisory firms would be an advantage
Master’s degree from a leading university in the country of education
Proven project management skills including ability to manage a project team throughout the infrastructure project cycle, sound decision making skills and problem resolution ensuring adherence to established procedures for project approvals and management;
Skills:
Taking Ownership: take full responsibility for the projects and tasks under UPDF, ensuring they are completed efficiently and effectively. This means being accountable for the outcomes and proactively addressing any issues that arise.
Decision-Making: after a transition period, he/she should make informed decisions independently, without waiting for guidance or approval. Act decisively.
Initiating Actions: he/she should identify opportunities for improvement and take the lead in implementing changes. This includes suggesting new ideas, proposing solutions to problems, and driving projects forward.
Effective Communication: He/she should communicate his ideas and concerns clearly and confidently, ensuring that his voice is heard and understood by the different stakeholders. This helps in building trust and credibility among his peers and superiors. Excellent written and verbal (report writing, presentation and business communication) skills
Excellent organisational and administrative skills;
Proficient in Russian and English. Capacity to communicate in Uzbek both verbal and written will be an advantage;
Previous experience of structuring and managing TC / donor funds (or similar) is an advantage
Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomatic skills
Proven, strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data
