Program Officer in Infrastructure Division and in Loan Operations

JICA CAMBODIA OFFICE

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Program Officer in Infrastructure Division and in Loan Operations

Founded in 1974, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an executing agency of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) for technical assistance, focusing on system building, organization strengthening and human resource development that will enable developing countries to pursue their sustainable socio-economic development. In October 2008, JICA started undertaking the Japanese ODA loan operations, as well as grant assistance in addition to its current operations, after the merger with a part of JBIC (Japan Bank for International Cooperation).

Japanese ODA assistance in Cambodia has been provided to various areas including Governance, Social Services, Training, Social and Economic Development / Infrastructure, etc. Among them, infrastructure development is one of the main areas where JICA has been supported. Especially, Japanese ODA in Cambodia have been provided to the areas of infrastructure development, such as ports, power network, telecom network, special economic zones and road construction.

The newly recruited staff will be working closely with the infrastructure division and other JICA staff in administering the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the projects and other necessary tasks related to the activities. At the same time, the staff will be working closely with JICA staff in administering Japanese ODA loan operations (loan management, procurement and disbursement administration, projects monitoring, etc.), assisting to formulate new projects, and other necessary tasks related to the activities.

The staff will be based in Phnom Penh, with occasional travels to the provinces.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To collect and analyze data related to current political and economic development, public finance, in the infrastructure development sector.
2. To liaise with government agencies, private sectors, and other relevant organizations such as development partners (DPs) in implementing, monitoring projects as well as arranging schedule for mission teams from Japan.
3. To represent the JICA Cambodia office at relevant meetings, workshops, and seminars, etc.
4. To initiate in secretarial works and logistical arrangements.
5. To initiate the project formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation as a national staff in the infrastructure division under the supervision of Japanese staff.
6. To take in charge of lending operations togather with Japanese staff, mainly in below tasks;

1. procurement – to review documents, such as bidding documents, proposals, and contracts; and to review processes related to the employment of consultants, tendering, and evaluations, to examine if they are in accordance the relevant JICA guidelines.
2. disbursement – to review requests for disbursements, process disbursement documents in coordination with relevant departments of JICA; and to coordinate with the relevant ministry/executing agencies to forecast and monitor financial demand and flows, etc.
3. project monitoring – to monitor the progress of projects and take necessary actions with the executing agencies for ensuring smooth and effective implementation of the projects.

Requirements (Qualifications and Experience)

1. University degree in the relevant areas (Economics, Social Science, Development Study, Finance, Business Administration, Engineering). Advanced degree in these areas would be of a great advantage.
2. Excellent speaking, reading and writing ability in Khmer and English. Knowledge of Japanese would be an asset.
3. Minimum three to five years of prior experience directly working on public policy, economics development, or finance/business administration, procurement, etc).
4. Prior experience on working with procurement guidelines of bilateral or multi-lateral aid agency/development banks will be a great advantage

Competencies required

1. Ability to work independently with a minimum supervision as well as ability to work as a team
2. Sufficient ability to read and summarize the relevant documents such as reports issued by government agencies or relevant DP(s).
3. Proficiency with relevant computer programs (internet, email, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point)
4. Strong commitment to learn and improve
5. Knowledge of the Cambodian economic development, public finance and relevant field(s) would be a great advantage.

Submission of Applications
Interested candidates should send the below documents to JICA Cambodia office, General affairs section, P.O. Box 613, 6th, 7th, 8th Floors, Building #61-64, Preah Norodom Blvd., Phnom Penh, Cambodia; or via e-mail to Hirata.Hitoshi@jica.go.jp. Only short listed candidates will receive acknowledgements. All applications are treated with strict confidentiality. The deadline for receipt of application is June 4, 2010.
1. Written Pledge (1 item), 2. Curriculum vitae (1 item), 3. Credential (1 item)

Time Frame

1. Starting date will be June or July 2010.
2. Initial period of one year, with a possible extension, given satisfactory performance and workload demand.
3. A probationary period lasting three months from the day of recruitment.