Ref.
2026/CDPAT/15153
Job offer type
Experts
Type of contract
CDDU
Activity sectors
Other ; Economic and financial governance
Deadline date
2026/04/17 23:59
Contract
Employee
Duration
40 mois
DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER / DEPUTY TEAM LEADER (M/W)
Departement Economie Durable et Inclusive - EDIN > Pôle - Politiques Economiques et Commerciales
Published on : 2026/04/06
ASIE
KAZAKHSTAN
ASTANA
Mission description
Expertise France is recruiting on a fixed-term contract (CDDU) a Deputy Project Manager/DeputyTeam Leader to be based in Astana (Kazakhstan) for a 40-month assignment, as part of the EU project " Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) capacity development programme”
The Deputy Project Manager will ensure the strategic and operational management of all activities, as well as project communication and accountability towards various stakeholders. He/She will work in close coordination with the Corridor and Investment Unit Coordinator and the Project Officer based at Expertise France (EF) headquarters in Paris.
Based in Astana, Kazakhstan, and reporting to the Senior Project Manager/Team Leader (based in Tashkent), the Deputy Project Manager/Deputy Team Leader will support the Senior Project Manager/Team Leader in carrying out the project’s strategic, operational, and contractual objectives. The role involves close coordination with the Team Leader, local partners, Expertise France headquarters, the GIZ and other stakeholders to ensure effective project implementation.
He/She will carry out the following tasks, which may still evolve during project implementation.
1 – Strategic support and operational coordination
• Support the Senior Project Manager in defining orientations and operational strategies for project execution
• Contribute to continuous analysis of the political, institutional, and legal context to identify key factors and risks affecting project implementation
• Assist in preparing and monitoring the operational and budgetary planning of the project in coordination with project partners and headquarters
• Facilitate coordination and communication between project stakeholders, including local partners, the EU, GIZ, and Expertise France
• Participate in organizing and representing the project at steering committees, coordination platforms, and other relevant meetings or events as delegated
• Ensure quality and coherence of project documents and reports in collaboration with the Team Leader
• Support the Team Leader in maintaining alignment and synergy with other regional programs and donor requirements
2 – Operational management and supervision
• Co-lead the guidance, monitoring, and support of local partners in the implementation of project activities
• Identify expertise needs, prepare terms of reference, and support the mobilization and supervision of recruited experts and service providers
• Coordinate procurement activities under the guidance of the Team Leader, ensuring compliance with Expertise France procedures
• Assist in monitoring the project budget and financial aspects related to the component
• Ensure implementation and follow-up of monitoring, evaluation, and communication plans in coordination with headquarters
• Support adaptation and adjustment of the project work plan and schedules based on contextual developments and operational needs
3 – Coordination of activities in Kazakhstan
• Take charge of the operational implementation of project activities specifically in Kazakhstan, ensuring alignment with project objectives and timelines
• Liaise with Kazakhstani authorities, partners, and stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and problem-solving
• Support timely and accurate reporting on project progress, finances, and deliverables related to Kazakhstan activities
• Identify risks and operational challenges specific to Kazakhstan and propose mitigation measures
4 – Team management and internal coordination
• Assist the Team Leader in the selection, contracting, and supervision of project teams and external experts
• Co-organize and participate in team meetings and trainings to ensure team cohesion and capacity building
• Support supervision and performance evaluation of project staff.
• Coordinate workload distribution within the team and ensure appropriate working conditions adapted to the local context
This job description is not exhaustive. In general, the Deputy Project Manager / Deputy Team Leader is responsible for supporting Senior Project Manager / Team Leader in achieving the project’s strategic, operational, and contractual objectives and must conduct all activities necessary for the project’s successful execution, according to the agreement with the Senior Project Manager / Team Leader.
Project or context description
This assignment falls within the framework of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to strengthen sustainable infrastructure, connectivity, and global cooperation, particularly with partner countries in Africa, Asia, the Balkans, and Latin America.
The project “Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) capacity development programme” is being jointly implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ – Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit) and the French agency for international technical cooperation (Expertise France – EF).
The development of the TCTC is a strategic and transformative project for trade and economic development in the region. It offers an alternative freight transport route, strengthening economic ties between Europe and Central Asia, while promoting greater integration of the participating countries into regional and international trade networks. As such, this initiative aligns closely with the goals of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy for sustainable global connectivity.
The project focuses on enhancing connectivity among five Central Asian partner countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) through six main areas of intervention:
o Output 1 Enhanced government capacity for development of a simplified, harmonised, paperless and gender-responsive environment for customs and trade in line with international transport and logistics Conventions and relevant EU standards.
o Output 2 Improved mechanisms for sustainable transport connections and for interoperability across the various modes of land and sea transport.
o Output 3 Improved government capacity for policy development and implementation relevant for public-private partnerships that incorporate gender principles (PPP).
o Output 4 Improved government capacity for gender-responsive reforms and liberalisation of the transport market.
o Output 5 Improved tariffs setting mechanisms along the TCTC.
o Output 6 Improved capacity of government and transport asset owners for optimisation of transport asset management and related funding mobilisation.
While GIZ will implement outputs 1 and 2, EF is responsible of outputs 3 to 6.
Required profile
Specific professional experience:
• University degree in engineering, transport economics, development economics, logistics, international trade, sustainable development, or another relevant field;
• At least 5 years of proven experience in international project management, ideally related to the transport or logistics sector or to international development cooperation
• Minimum 2 to 5 years of experience in managing, supervising, or coordinating complex, multi-country projects, ideally related to the transport or logistics sector or to international development cooperation
• Experience in projects funded by various donors (notably the EU) is required, with strong knowledge of donor reporting mechanisms
• Specific technical knowledge of the transport and logistics sector is highly appreciated;
• Significant experience in team management and supervision is a must
• Proven experience in conducting multi-stakeholder processes and consultations
• Professional experience and good knowledge of Central Asia is preferred
• Experience with public procurement and contract management is an asset
Qualifications and skills
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent command of English (written and oral) is mandatory; incl. strong writing and synthesis skills. Professional command of French and/or Russian are a strong asset
• Team spirit and ability to unite stakeholders and team members around common goals
• Organization, autonomy, resilience, and adaptability, especially to unforeseen events
• Diplomacy
Additional information
Applications must include the following documents and information:
• CV with references
• Cover letter
Expertise France is committed to equal opportunities and strongly encourages female candidates to apply
• Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications as soon as possible. Expertise France reserves the right to conduct a preselection before the deadline
• The selection process will take place in two stages
o First, a shortlist will be freely established by Expertise France
o Second, selected candidates may be invited for an interview
Deadline for application : 2026/04/17 23:59
Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :
- democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
- peace, stability, and security ;
- climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
- health and human development ;
In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results.