Infrastructure Asset Management Specialist, Dakar, Senegal

General Information

Position Title: Infrastructure Asset Management Specialist
Job Category: Engineering & Infrastructure
Duty Station(s): Dakar
Seniority Level: Mid Level
ICS Level: ICS 10
Contract Type: ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer
Contract Level: LICA 10
Posting Start Date: 06-Nov-2026
Posting End Date: 15-Nov-2026
Duration: 12 months

Job Highlight

In this context, UNOPS will engage the services of a national consultant (infrastructure asset management specialist) to provide tailored technical assistance and substantive support to project implementation in close coordination with relevant government officials and other stakeholders, UNDESA and UNOPS staff. The national consultant will provide local contextualization, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and contribute to the design, adaptation, implementation and follow-up to all IAM project activities in Senegal.

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

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.

Job Specific Context

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.

Role Purpose

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.

Functions / Key Results Expected

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%

Skills

Analytical Skills, Asset Management, Infrastructure, Public Sector, Report Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability, Workshops

Competencies

Strategic Perspective: Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Respect: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Collaboration: Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnerships: Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Excellence: Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Adaptability: Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Decision-making: Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Communication: Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

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

Experience Requirements

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

Language Requirements

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment.