Job Summary:

 Expertise France is recruiting a Public Debt Expert for the Technical Project Lead position, specialized in project management and with extensive experience in public debt and green finance, for a 12 months’ mission (with possibility of extension) within the framework of a project supporting the implementation of public finance management reforms in Kenya. 

 The person selected will also, in close collaboration with the National Coordinator based in the Kenyan National Treasury and Expertise France's head office in Paris, support the operational steering and coordination of all activities, communication and other necessary cross-cutting activities of the project regarding the beneficiary administration, AFD and the technical partners in France. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE MISSION:

The Technical Project Lead will come from the French public administration. He/she will be based in Nairobi for a duration of at least twenty-four (24) months. He/she will be part of the project team, and will be under the supervision of Expertise France’s project manager. The role of the Technical Project Lead, will be both to provide his/her expertise to the development and implementation of the project’s components (i), and to lead the operational coordination of the overall project (ii).

(i)           Expertise – 70%

The Project places significant emphasis on providing day-to-day support to the beneficiaries, making it one of the most critical activities. The appointed expert will be highly experienced in debt management and possess a strong understanding of green finance. Their role will entail offering valuable expertise and practical insights to the PDMO on debt management matters, and to other stakeholders (including the CF&GEU) on matters related to accessing green finance and implementing green budgeting practices.

 Furthermore, the expert will work in close collaboration with prominent senior experts from both French public institutions and the international private sector. This collaborative approach aims to leverage diverse perspectives and ensure effective knowledge exchange for achieving the Project's objectives.

 The expert will thus address the following activities: 

 Public Debt management

The expert's role will encompass facilitating the execution of debt management activities and identifying any additional requirements for short-term expertise for each task, as needed.

 The Expert will provide valuable contributions to the PDMO by offering support to the teams in their operations and conducting specialized training tailored to address the Office's specific needs.

In particular, the expert will be in charge of: 

a)    TA on supporting PDMO’s organization and governance to achieve institutional autonomy. This activity involves providing support for:

·     Legal and institutional reform in compliance with legal standards (PFM Act) as well as other relevant international standards.

 b)    Identification of capacity building needs for the PDMO, particularly focusing on financial and operational risk management. This activity aims to assess the requirements for enhancing the PDMO's capabilities in these areas. Subsequently, a comprehensive capacity building plan will be formulated, and the preparation and supervision of training materials will be conducted to address these needs effectively.

  c)    TA aimed at enhancing public debt transparency, with a specific focus on informing investors:

·       Formulating a comprehensive communications strategy to effectively communicate public debt-related information.

·       Providing support to develop and facilitate access to public data pertaining to the debt.

 d)    TA for the establish a sustainable public debt strategy:

·       Assisting in the reform of the domestic debt market.

·       Providing support for conducting public debt negotiations with investors.

 Green Finance

a)    Reinforcing the legal and institutional framework of the CF&GEU, both within the National Treasury, and at an inter-sectoral level.

·       Supporting CF&GEU to review operational capacities

·       Improve collaboration of the CF&GEU within the NT and beyond

      b)    Advise the government in the structuring and issuance of Green, Social, Sustainable or Sustainability-Linked (GSSS) bonds:

·       Providing expert advice on the creation and implementation of a GSSS bond framework.

·       Offering support in analyzing eligibility of projects for green finance.

     c)    Supporting the development of an operational framework for green budgeting:

·       Conducting a comprehensive functional audit to identify specific capacity building requirements.

·       Providing support to adopt a methodological framework for the development of green budgets.

·       Offering methodological guidance throughout the process of creating a green budget.

 Throughout the mission, the expert will prioritize maximizing the transfer of skills to the PDMO and CF&GEU, as well as other relevant stakeholders. This will be achieved through fostering formal and informal relationships and organizing training sessions, ensuring a lasting and sustainable impact on their capabilities.

 (ii)          Project coordination – 30%

 He/she will hold the responsibility of coordinating the entire project implementation. Being a representative of Expertise France, the Technical Project Lead will take the lead in identifying the necessary Technical Assistance (TA) requirements, leveraging their knowledge of the functioning of the Kenyan administration and expertise in debt management and green finance.

Supported by the Local Project Coordinator and HQ's Project Manager, the Technical Project Lead will actively participate in or supervise various tasks, including:

·       Preparing and supporting the implementation of field missions, ensuring well-structured and monitored agendas for each mission.

·       Organizing and preparing study visits.

·       Assisting in maintaining quality control over project deliverables.

·       Overseeing the day-to-day implementation of Project activities, including visibility and communication initiatives.

·       Engaging in communication activities with donors.

As the central figure in project coordination, the Technical Project Lead will play a crucial role in ensuring the project's success by effectively managing and supporting the various aspects of its implementation.

The appointed Technical Project Lead will be responsible for providing effective leadership and coordination of the technical assistance to ensure the achievement of project goals within the contractual time limit. This will be accomplished by closely adhering to the terms of reference, the overall project budget, and the approved work schedule, which has been agreed upon by all stakeholders. Supported by the local experts, the Technical Project Lead will play a crucial role in supporting project monitoring and follow-up. He/she will be responsible for regularly reporting on the progress of activities and updating the rolling work program. This task will be done in close collaboration with the Local Experts and the HQ Project Manager, ensuring seamless communication and alignment between all parties involved in the project. By maintaining efficient coordination and communication, the project's success will be optimized, and the desired outcomes will be accomplished within the defined timeframe.