UGANDA NATIONAL ROADS AUTHORITY (UNRA)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS

In May 2006 Parliament passed the Uganda National Roads Authority Act. By statutory instrument, in late 2006, UNRA became a legal entity, allowing the Minister of Works and Transport, with Cabinet approval, to appoint the Board of Directors of UNRA. The priority of the Board is to now make UNRA fully operational by combining Road Agency Formation Unit (RAFU) development resources with Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) maintenance resources. In realization of that objective the Board now invites applications from suitability qualified individuals for the four non-Board Directors who will report to the newly appointed Executive Director of the Authority, based on the specifications indicated below:

Scope of Assignment

Duties and Responsibilities

Person Specifications

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (Ref 4.1)

Salaries and Benefits | Conditions for Applicants | Important Dates

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DIRECTOR OF PROJECTS (Ref 3.1)

Scope of the Position:

The holder of this post is responsible for the overall coordination of all road, bridge, ferries and weighbridge development projects of the Authority and for the development component of the Strategic and Business Plan. The output of the position is reflected in the degree of achievement of the outputs contained in these Plans and in particular the implementation of projects to time and budget as provided for in the Development Performance Agreement with the MoWT.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages the Projects Directorate of the Authority;

• Manages the implementation of the Authority’s development programmes;

• Contributes to the Authority’s Business and Strategic Plans and Annual Report;

• Advises on and contributes to the preparation and updating of standard drawings, specifications and contract documentation;

• Participates in the recruitment of Directorate staff and provides them with leadership by giving them a clear and shared vision, motivation and team spirit;

• Oversees the preparation and updating of the Directorate’s Operational Procedures Manual;

• Liaises with the MoWT to ensure compliance with Government policies, strategies and funding for the sector;

• Liaises with the Ministry and funding agencies in the preparation and implementation of development works programmes;

• Oversees the procurement of supervision and works contracts related to development projects;

• Ensures submission of timely and accurate documentation to the Authority’s Procurement Unit and Contracts Committee.

• Monitors physical and financial project progress and resolves implementation problems in order to achieve performance targets;

• Ensures the implementation of quality assurance procedures for development works;

• Advises the Executive Director on all development aspects of the Authority’s work,

• Prepares for the Executive Director periodic reports on the status of all development projects;

• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director from time to time.

Person Specification:

This post embraces both managerial and technical aspects. The post holder must have a degree in civil engineering and, preferably, a relevant post graduate degree, plus at least ten to fifteen years’ experience as a registered engineer.  Such experience must include high level involvement in the planning, preparation, procurement and implementation of development projects using national and international Donor funds, and experience in leading multi-disciplinary professional teams.

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DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (Ref 4.1)

Scope of the Position:

The holder of this post is responsible for the management of all financial matters and in particular; the preparation of the monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements; systems of reporting and internal control to ensure compliance with the requirements of the World Bank (IDA) and other donor agencies, the Road Fund Board (RFB) and the Government of Uganda; liaising with the external audits and the following up of any audit queries. Also, responsible for providing efficient, secure and up-to-date IT (including WAN for regional offices and subsidiary businesses), human resources, procurement and administrative services. The output of this position is thus reflected in the contribution of financial and support services to enable the Authority achieve its organizational goals and objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibility:

Person Specification

The position embraces both managerial and financial aspects. The job holder will require an accounting degree or equivalent qualifications and a post graduate qualification in business administration, plus at least fifteen years relevant experience and be a certified public accountant. Supervision of one or more of IT, human resources and administrative support services is also desirable.

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Scope of the Position:

The holder of this post is responsible for field implementation of road and bridge maintenance programmes, and for giving oversight and directions to the UNRA subsidiary businesses of force account road works, axle load control and ferry operations. Drive and initiative are required in order to resolve constraints to the completion of maintenance contracts to time and budget. An appreciation of the working environment and aspirations of contractors and supervising consultants is necessary so that balanced and equitable client/service provider relationships may be developed. A keen sense of business acumen is required in order to establish the subsidiary businesses as potential candidates for privatization. The output of the post is thus reflected in the timeliness and quality of maintenance works and level of service provided by the subsidiary businesses.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

·        Manages the Authority’s Operations Directorate to ensure a high level of service delivery and value for money. This will involve the procurement and supervision of road maintenance service providers to the Authority;

·        Contributes to the Authority’s Business and Strategic Plans and Annual Report;

·        Participates in the recruitment of Directorate staff and provides them with leadership by giving them a clear and shared vision, motivation and team spirit;

·        Ensures that Upcountry Managers have enough staff and resources to adequately manage their road networks and oversee maintenance works;

·       Ensures that procedures are put in place, and implemented by the Upcountry Managers, to curtail illegal activities on and usage of the roads and road reserves, and to control the activities of the Utility Services;

·        Develops close links with road sector stakeholders in the establishment of appropriate community liaison schemes.

·        Provides inputs to draft road and bridge maintenance programmes and to their most practical and cost effective contract packaging;

·        Oversees the deployment of force account resources for the upcoming year to ensure their maximum effectiveness;

·        Oversees the preparation of detailed quarterly road and bridge maintenance programmes on and ensures the availability of adequate contractor, consultant and force account resources;

·        Ensures that Upcountry Managers allocate work to the force account subsidiary, and supervise and administer that work, as they would a contractor;

·        Adjudicates in the case of any dispute between a Regional Manager and the Works Manager;

·        Closely monitors force account costs in relation to the funding allocated and introduces measures to curb any over expenditure;

·        Ensures that axle load control services are compliant with East African Community requirements and compare favourably with similar services in other EAC countries;

·        Monitors ferry operations in relation to the level of service, usage, cost and safety and ensures the implementation of necessary improvements;

·        Ensures that all three subsidiary businesses operate with a commercial mindset and are focused on a quality service;

·        Ensures, and chairs, regular monthly meetings with the Upcountry Managers at venues rotated around the country;

·        Advises the Executive Director on all network operations matters;

·        Performs such other related duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director from time to time.

Person Specification 

This post demands an in-depth appreciation of the managerial, technical and commercial aspects of service delivery in the road sector. The post holder must have a degree in civil engineering or equivalent and, preferably, a further qualification in business administration. Ten to fifteen years experience in road sector institutions should include management responsibility for service delivery.

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