Senior Director, Project Appraisal (GMG/SEG 5)

Job Purpose

Under the general direction of the Principal Director, the Senior Director Project Appraisal has responsibility for managing and facilitating the conduct of financial, economic, social, environmental and technical appraisal of assigned public investment projects (concepts and proposals); ensuring application of the relevant capital budgeting/development project appraisal techniques in support of evidence-based decision making and preparing thorough reports emanating therefrom. 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional 

• Supports the Principal Director in providing inputs in the development and implementation of the Branch’s Strategic and Operational Plans; 
• Supervises and directs the preliminary screening of project concepts to ensure:
  • Alignment with Government’s Strategic Objectives/Priorities and MDAs Corporate/Sector Plans; 
  • Concept proposal meets budget classification tests for inclusion as a project;
  • A sufficiently good prima facie case exists for proceeding to the detailed appraisal stage; 
• Coordinates and manages the conduct of financial, economic, social, environmental and technical appraisal of public investment concepts and proposals submitted by MDA/SPS, including: 
  • Rationale for the project - strategic justification 
  • Cost/benefits to public entities/economy/society 
  • Cost effectiveness of technical options proposed for investment 
  • Social, economic and environmental, climate impact 
  • Financial sustainability 
  • Project options/alternatives 
  • Major risks and mitigation strategies 
  • Technical design and management arrangements 
  • Monitoring and evaluation framework; 
• Directs the auditing of all metrics to support prioritization of appraised projects for provision of advice to the PIMC; 
• Reviews and validates legislative and policy alignment assessments to ensure that investment projects are within prescribed mandates and requirements; 
• Reviews prioritisation reports for accuracy, relevance and completeness;
• Ensures completion of climate risk assessment for all public investment projects;
• Collaborates with and engages a wide range of PIMS stakeholders in soliciting and securing 
• technical inputs in the screening and appraisal of project concepts and proposals;
• Provides technical support to the Principal Director, TRC and PIMC in arriving at recommendations in respect of the appraisal of public investment project concepts and proposals; 
• Coordinates the collation and preparation of reports for submission/presentation to the TRC and PIMC for their consideration and recommendations; 
• Develops and fosters effective communication channels with the Project Management Office (PMO) of proposing entities and relevant MOF&PS stakeholders, so as to facilitate and ensure: 
  • The adequacy of support and guidance in the preparation of concepts and proposals
  • A smooth and efficient flow of complete, accurate and timely information in support of the screening and appraisal processes. 
• Provides leadership in implementing and monitoring quality standards, best practices and international benchmarks, to guide the assessment of investment concepts and proposals;
• Undertakes reviews and audits of screening and appraisal reports submitted to gauge and ensure: 
  • The most appropriate assessment and appraisal techniques and tools have been utilized 
  • The accuracy and soundness of forecasts, projections and conclusions 
  • Concepts and proposals satisfy the criteria and objectives of alignment with GOJ strategic priorities, relevance, feasibility, sustainability and value for money
  • Management of the optimism bias which may result from an overestimation of benefits and an underestimation of the costs of project proposals; 
• Provides support to staff supervised in facilitating and conducting research to gather data and information to support project analysis, benchmarking and recommendations;
• Provides leadership in the analysis of project performance data entered on the PIMIS, and the initiation of appropriate action to ensure lessons learnt, guide future assessments and drive continuous process improvements; 
• Collaborates with MDAs and Project and M&E Analysts in identifying training and sensitization needs and facilitating capacity building exercises; 
• Keeps abreast of developments, trends and international best practices in the field of project management and analysis, so as to inform proactive planning, decision-making and continuous improvement; 
• Manages the preparation and provision of technical input on Cabinet Submissions prepared by MDAs, technical reports, special papers, presentations, briefs and other relevant report as required on assigned projects within portfolio. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core 

• Planning and Organizing – Excellent planning and organization skills. 
• Research and Analysis – Strong research and analytical capabilities 
• Problem Solving - Logical problem solving skills. 
• Communication - Possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Initiative and Judgment - Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment.
• Accountability – Manages performance to achieve expected results in a timely manner.
• Quality of Output - Deliver output of a consistently high quality. 
• Customer Service – Demonstrates excellent (Internal and external) customer service skills.
• Teamwork and Cooperation - Be a team player. 

Technical 

• Sound planning, coordinating, organizing, problem solving and time management skills
• Excellent conceptual, analytical, risk management and critical-thinking skills
• Ability to articulate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non technical audiences 
• Meticulous attention to detail, with an eye for accuracy, rigor, logic and causes and effects
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, objectivity and integrity in decision making
• Exhibits a passion for achieving excellence in performance outcomes and customer satisfaction 
• Excellent knowledge of all phases of project life-cycles 
• Excellent knowledge of the methods, principles, practices and tools of project appraisal
• Ability to develop and analyze financial and economic models and undertake cost-benefit and cost effectiveness analysis of public investment projects 
• In-depth knowledge of the application of the tools and methodologies of project analysis and research in arriving at evidence-based and sound decision-making 
• Ability to plan, organize, direct and co-ordinate the work of professional and other support staff engaged in project appraisal activities 
• Ability to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to provide relevant information for pre investment appraisal of public investment projects 
• Ability to compile and analyse data and prepare comprehensive reports 
• Relevant knowledge of the following Industries/Sectors would be an advantage: Commerce/Trade, Infrastructure (Economic and Social), Information Communication Technology, Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, Transportation 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Master's Degree in Economics, Actuarial Sciences, Statistics, Finance, or relevant Social Science discipline; 
• Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or its equivalent;
• Five (5) years’ proven experience and demonstrated ability in a project management, economic/business/finance analytical role particularly in the conduct of investment appraisal; Two (2) years of which must be in a managerial/supervisory position; 
• Proven track record of handling multiple and complex range of project assignments concurrently, with successful project delivery results; 
• Proven experience in coordinating, synthesizing and evaluating a wide range of complex qualitative and quantitative information/data; 
• Extensive experience utilising excel or econometric software packages would be an asset.

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• Numerous critical deadlines to be met; 
• May sometimes be required to work beyond regular work hours, including weekends. 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.