The Government of Nauru (the government) is committed to building a seaport for Nauru to ensure 
sustainable and climate-resilient connectivity for the people of Nauru. Nauru does not have a protected 
port and has requested support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Government of Australia, and 
the Green Climate Fund to improve port facilities and construction of port infrastructure at Aiwo. This 
will be the only port in the country that will allow the people to connect with neighboring countries 
and the rest of the world for more affordable imports, more accessible access to the regional and 
international markets for products from and to Nauru, and more sustainable livelihood.

The capacity building and institutional strengthening of the Nauru Maritime and Port Authority (NMPA) 
will be an integral part of the Sustainable and Climate Resilient Connectivity Project (the project). 
They will improve the efficiency of port operations, port security, asset management, and occupational 
health and safety. To facilitate this, parallel technical assistance (TA) will provide substantial 
reforms for NMPA on organizational restructuring, capacity building of staff, establishing sound 
financial, human resource, and asset management systems, engagement of the private sector in port 
operations, and restructuring the tariff system aiming cost recovery. 

An international expert will be recruited for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position of NMPA to 
oversee port operations, business development and asset management, implementation of the port 
construction, and the reforms and capacity development recommended for the port authority and the 
project.

The CEO will be responsible to the Board of Directors of NMPA for all aspects of the performance of the 
business, including operational, financial, commercial, and strategic requirements. The CEO will be 
responsible for implementing the project and supporting the development of appropriate reforms and 
capacity building for the port authority. The CEO will also be responsible for subsequent project 
implementation, including the port construction and the reforms, and ensure the long-term sustainability 
of the port authority. The CEO will implement business development initiatives and generate sufficient 
revenue for effective management of NMPA and maintenance of its assets.

An individual specialist will be engaged until reform activities are concluded, anticipated by end of 
2024, with an initial contract for 12 person-months of inputs and based in Nauru. The contract will be 
reviewed and subject to performance evaluation, conducted every six months, based on the achievement of 
specific outputs. The contract is initially for one year and will be extended upon reviewing performance 
evaluation. The contract will be signed and managed by the ADB and financed by ADB’s technical 
assistance TA 9009: NAU Port Development Project. However, being the port authority's chief executive, 
the CEO will follow operational instructions as received from the NMPA Board. It is expected that the 
Government of Nauru will engage other supporting roles for the NMPA, including Deputy CEO roles.

The CEO will be responsible for the overall management and operations of the Nauru Port. The CEO and the 
Project Manager will implement the construction of Nauru's new port under the ongoing Port Development 
Project (Sustainable and Climate Resilient Connectivity Project) and the reforms for NMPA, acting as the 
responsible officer of NMPA being the implementing agency of the project. The CEO will guide other 
reforms specialists to implement NMPA’s reforms covering;

A.	Organizational Strategy
1.	Drive NMPA's strategic and business planning process in accordance with the reform objectives and 
direction of the Board.
2.	Refine NMPA’s organizational structure in conjunction with the Board to suit the ongoing evolution 
and development of the business.
3.	Review and refresh the 5-year Corporate Plan and Statement of Corporate Intent for adoption by the 
NMPA Board and the government.
4.	Conduct effective operation of the Board by providing timely, accurate and complete management, 
business and operational information, and reporting.
5.	With support from specialists and staff, prepare an emergency response, disaster recovery and 
business continuity plans and manage the implementation of these plans;
6.	Manage the operation of NMPA facilities efficiently and effectively to meet customer requirements 
while complying with legislated and best practice requirements.
7.	Work with the Director of Maritime to ensure that NMPA (and the Ministry) is appropriately 
represented and prepared for industry forums, particularly internationally, and will be able to 
influence to the benefit of Nauru.
8.	Accept overall responsibility for risk management.
9.	Ensure all governance, statutory, legislative, contractual and regulatory requirements are met and 
maintained, including ongoing operating accreditations; and
10.	Ensure the NMPA meets internal and external audit requirements.

B.	People Management
1.	Manage NMPA human resources, training providers and equipment suppliers to improve the standard of 
operations and reduce wear and tear on equipment.
2.	Work with NMPA staff, specialists, and local authorities to develop Nauru 
certification/recertification requirements for heavy plants and machinery.
3.	Work with NMPA Board and the government, including education institutions as necessary, to establish 
long-term training and indentured programs for the benefit of career development of Nauruan school 
leavers as well as immediate personnel requirements.
4.	Develop policies and procedures for NMPA in accordance with the world’s best practices and 
legislative requirements for the operation of the port and terminal.
5.	Conduct rollout of linked action plans and KPIs according to the Strategic Plan, and monitor and 
evaluate performance.
6.	Lead and manage NMPA’s ongoing development and implementation of strategic organizational plans and 
strategies to achieve business performance improvements, mainly focused on operational readiness for the 
new port and associated equipment. 
7.	Assist with broad-based capacity building and transition plans for succession.

C.	Financial Management
1.	Oversee and contribute to the NMPA financial management specialist and the finance manager for 
ongoing yearly preparation of a 5-year budget and routinely monitor performance against the budget for 
operational and capital expenditure, cash flow, financial performance, reports, and forecasts.
2.	Meet financial targets.
3.	Implement business development and marketing exercises for NMPA to encourage increased utilization of 
the port assets and proposed stevedoring and logistics services.
4.	Identify opportunities to provide shared services to other Nauru SOEs, particularly in relation to 
improved mechanical capacity.
5.	Authorize expenditures in support of business growth and policy/program implementation in accordance 
with delegated authority.

The CEO will report to NMPA Board under the overall guidance of the Deputy Minister for Ports. Any 
changes in stated outputs need to be approved by the government and ADB. The government, in consultation 
and concurrence from ADB, reserves the right to terminate the contract (i) if outputs are not achieved 
on time and at a quality level acceptable to the government and ADB; (ii) services are no longer 
required, or (iii) for any other reasons in the interest of NMPA. Pre-termination of the contract is 
subject to 2-weeks’ notice.

Expected Deliverables 

The CEO is expected to deliver the following reports:

a.	5-year Corporate Plan and Statement of Corporate Intent (update)
b.	NMPA strategic and business planning process in accordance with the reform objectives and direction 
of the Board (update)
c.	Revised NMPA's organizational structure in conjunction with the Board to suit the ongoing evolution 
and development of the business (update)
d.	5-year operational budget and Monitoring Performance (update)
e.	Emergency response, disaster recovery and business continuity plans (update)
f.	Policies and procedures on port and terminal operations for critical procedures and an ongoing basis 
after that in accordance with best practice (update)
g.	Nauru certification/recertification requirements for heavy plant and machinery (update)
h.	Roll out of linked action plans and KPIs in accordance with the Strategic Plan, and M&E of 
performance (during the assignment)
i.	Business Development and marketing exercise (updated)
j.	Inputs to NMPA’s quarterly progress report

The CEO will have:
(i)	A tertiary degree in engineering, management, port administration, or related fields.
(ii)	Minimum of 10 years of senior management experience in Ports, preferably in mixed-use port 
environments.
(iii)	Knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire the same of the relevant Acts, subordinate 
legislation, and policies affecting the NMPA, including knowledge of the operations and values of state-
owned enterprises or government-owned corporations.
(iv)	Experience in the management of infrastructure development projects.