National Consultant to Support Infrastructure Asset Management in South Africa

Result of ServiceThis consultancy will result in implementing the project “Strengthening local and national government capacities for SDG localization in Africa” in South Africa. This initiative, implemented by UN DESA, aims at strengthening the capacity of national and local government officials and future public asset managers to design and implement a risk-informed and whole-of-government approach to sustainable Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM). The project provides comprehensive training for selected public officials in South Africa, equipping them with the skills to design, implement, monitor, and refine forward-looking, data-driven IAM strategies, policies, and action plans. Work LocationHome-based consultancy Expected duration90 working days, with possibility of extension Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) embody the strategic vision and aspirations of all countries for the future of development. Their implementation will require comprehensive actions at the global, regional, national and local levels, as outlined in General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/1 on Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. South Africa's public infrastructure plays a pivotal role in driving inclusive growth, delivering basic services, and addressing historical spatial and service delivery inequities. Yet, municipalities and public entities face persistent challenges in maintaining and managing infrastructure assets due to outdated systems, capacity constraints, and non-compliance with Generally Recognized Accounting Practice (GRAP). The lack of comprehensive, accurate, and GRAP-compliant infrastructure asset registers, combined with insufficient lifecycle planning and underinvestment in maintenance, has led to infrastructure deterioration, service disruptions, and financial inefficiencies across all spheres of government. The Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) acts as the Secretariat for the SDGs, providing substantive support and capacity-building for the goals and their related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science and technology, the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), partnerships and Small Island Developing States. DSDG plays a key role in the evaluation of UN systemwide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and on advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs. In this regard, DSDG requires a National Consultant for South Africa to support project activities, working closely with relevant government officials and other stakeholders, particularly the South African Local Government Association. The national consultant’s role is to provide local contextualization, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and contribute to the design, adaptation, implementation and follow-up to all IAM project activities in up to five municipalities in South Africa, with the following duties and responsibilities: I. Diagnostic Missions and AMAP Design and Implementation Support a. Conduct five three-day missions to participating local governments applying the UN IAM Diagnostic Tool and Asset Management Action Plan AMAP template and guide the UN Handbook on Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM). i. Guide self-assessments, interviews, and document reviews with finance, technical, and leadership staff. ii. Evaluate compliance with GRAP standards (GRAP 17, 31, 103) and identify gaps and challenges. iii. Support each local government in understanding of the UN Handbook on IAM and selecting one or two priority assets to develop into an AMAP. iv. Facilitate practical in-person workshops during each mission to help local teams begin drafting their AMAPs. v. Support the creation, updating, and standardisation of infrastructure asset registers that are fully GRAP-compliant. vi. Develop tools, templates, and methodologies for lifecycle costing, maintenance planning, and asset risk management. vii. Promote integration of climate resilience and sustainability considerations into asset management practices b. Provide virtual follow-up support after missions to refine AMAP drafts, validate feasibility, and ensure alignment with budgets, institutional roles, and climate resilience. c. Produce concise 3 to 5-page Asset Management Profiles for each entity, summarizing findings, strengths, gaps, and priority reforms. II. Validation Workshop and Peer Learning Support a. Plan and facilitate a national validation workshop where all participating local governments present their draft AMAPs. b. Encourage peer-to-peer exchange and structured feedback to strengthen ownership and improve the quality of AMAPs. c. Document key lessons and enabling environment gaps identified across local governments. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in engineering, business, project management, public administration, urban planning, economics, or related field. A bachelor's degree with two additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in infrastructure, infrastructure asset management (IAM), or urban development, with demonstrated expertise in areas such as asset inventories, lifecycle planning, service delivery, public sector investment planning, or institutional capacity development. Familiarity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN IAM tools is desirable. Familiarity with global asset management standards and geographic information. systems (GIS) is an asset. Strong communication, analytical thinking, and organizational skills. Knowledge of South Africa’s public sector and infrastructure systems is required. This is a national consultancy position. The consultant must be a citizen of South Africa or hold legal residency status in the country. LanguagesExcellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.