Bob Willis Email & Phone Number

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

The Road Sector Manager (RSM) oversees the delivery of the Road Sector Group (RSG) work plan under the strategic direction of the Team Leader and in consultation with the GoPNG's Department of Works (DoW), as needed.The RSM is responsible for the effective delivery and coordination of program inputs, providing strategic and analytical advice to improve the effectiveness of the delivery and overseeing the assessment and reporting of progress against program objectives.The RSM leads TSSP’s support to the road sector within DoW and provides leadership and management of the Road Sector Group to ensure that there is a collaborative team working environment, that work planning and prioritisation is undertaken and that there is proactive engagement with all TSSP staff and DoW counterparts in the work being undertaken in the Group.This position liaises closely with the TSSP Senior Management Team to deliver whole of program outcomes.

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Coordinate and oversee three Regional Operations Engineers, Procurement Adviser and Management Information Systems Adviser (International LTAs) to support GoVs PWD capacity development within the six Divisional offices, with a strong focus in developing capacity to align with PWD’s Transition to a Road Network Manager.► Oversee the Procurement Adviser in the strengthening of GoV PWD procurement processes, including the development of innovative models of procurement, community level procurement and more competitive small works procurement.► Ensure Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) considerations addressed in works planning and delivery. Work closely with the PWD to prepare high quality annual work plans, and medium-term (5 year) rolling work plans, support PWD to monitor implementation and expenditure.► Support the introduction of innovative construction techniques, equipment and materials with other development partners to enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of PWD works and trial new technologies for monitoring of road conditions.► Team Leader for design phase of Kumul Highway Upgrading Project in urban Port Vila. Two major roundabouts planned using fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) with 800m of AC pavement overlay incorporating an Asphalt Reinforcing Grid. Recruited and provided oversight of Project Support Team comprising Design Manager, Design Engineer and Surveyor (Internationals). Sourced expert in pavements engineering to provide advice on ARG and AC pavement design.

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Technical engineering advisor to GoPNGs Department of Works, Port Moresby with responsibility for five PNG Provinces (New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain, Eastern Highlands and Manus). Provided technical support to Provincial teams including GoA TSSP funded Provincial Supervisors.► Provided oversight for scoping Annual Maintenance and Construction Work Plans, proposed long term and major maintenance projects up to AUD$25M each.► Responsible for oversight of 32kms of Boluminski Highway Upgrading to seal project in New Ireland (AUD$20M), delivered on time and to budget.► Advised and mentored DoW counterparts with construction programming, supervision, contract variations and payment certificates. Assisted counterparts with implementing environmental, safety and traffic management aspects in accordance with DoW Specifications.

Australia And Png

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Multi-million-dollar civil infrastructure projects, Bougainville Island, PNG (GoPNG and TSSP)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Provide engineering and contract advice to the General Manager and Managing Director of a major PNG construction company, regarding road upgrades and maintenance projects in Bougainville funded by GoPNG and GoA TSSP. Proposed solutions to accelerate project implementation. Initiate and manage conversations with the community.► Right-sized the project within six months—subcontracted less-profitable tasks and forged open lines of communication, that restored client confidence.► Eliminated delays by travelling to work sites, facilitating meetings with managers, engineers, and staff, and creating strategies to quickly assess and resolve design-related issues.

Png

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ $100M infrastructure upgrade and maintenance, Bougainville Island, PNG (DFAT, TSSP Phase 1&2). *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Advised on road upgrade/maintenance program for Bougainville's 403km of trunk roads in a still-recovering post-conflict environment. Oversaw local and expatriate contractors, road/community works supervisors, and a financial officer. Controlled budgets and expenses. Built relationships with stakeholders and members of the Bougainvillean community.► Provided expert advice to Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, proposed bridge upgrade and replacement projects along Bougainville’s priority coastal trunk road.► Built a consistent communication structure with the GoAs DFAT and PNG counterpart agencies.

Png

Directed and implemented all roadworks projects within the Autonomous Region of Bougainville throughout 17.5-month period. Hired local contractors, collaborated with community stakeholders, and appealed to marginalised groups to achieve objectives and promote a vision of diversity and gender equality.► Negotiated with local landowners to gain entry to the previously restricted Panguna mine lease area. Identified necessary upgrades/repairs, and contracted restoration projects along the 27km cross-island access road.► Completed restoration projects on target and on time—using 100% local resources.

Png And Solomon Islands

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Company previously known as Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd. AUD $30M BCTRMP, Bougainville Island, PNG (AusAID)*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Managed team of local civil engineering contractors including finance manager, site engineers, quality assurance manager, and social safeguards officer in implementing road construction, maintenance, and restoration program following a period of civil unrest and rebuilding on Bougainville Island. Liaised with the President and officials of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, as well as the United Nations Observer Mission, GoPNG senior officers, AusAID Secretary’s and consultants. Prepared formal reports.► Met 100% GoA and GoPNG goals, led the project to receive notable acclaim for delivering real-world benefits to the Bougainville people - improving the infrastructure, enabling economic opportunities, and facilitating the peace process.► Navigated political, social and cultural complexities in a post-conflict environment. Established a corruption-free operation that overcame obstacles to thrive on accountability and trust.► Selected for additional assignment: advised on design/build tender for post-conflict emergency rehabilitation project in the Solomon Islands funded by the ADB. Travelled to Malaita and Guadalcanal to conduct field surveys and interface with local contractors, suppliers, and Department of Works staff regarding new bridges, quarry pits, and a water reticulation system.

Independent Consulting Engagements

Provided insight and direction to government organisations and civil engineering businesses, demonstrating tenacity, adaptability, and in-depth knowledge of infrastructure projects from bidding phase through implementation.► Port Moresby, PNG: Offered high-level technical advice to the Director of the Office of Bougainville Affairs, AusAID and Prime Minister’s Department (GoPNG) on restoration/development of civil infrastructure projects on Bougainville. Consulted with donor agencies such as AusAID, NZAid, European Union, and the UN Development Program.► Civil Construction Corporation, Tasmania: Secured partnership with Rail Services Australia to bolster competitive positioning for innovative AUD $12M railway restoration project in western Tasmania.► Hazell Bros. Group, Tasmania: Managed team in preparing winning EOI and tender submission for 20-year waste transfer station design, build, own, and operate project in southern Tasmania.

Australia

Pioneered and directed business development strategies to propel the business forward. Targeted and developed joint ventures and industry partnerships with Abigroup, Baulderstone Hornibrook, and Sinclair Knight Merz/Jacobs Engineering Group.► Launched the Business Development division from the ground up, and served as bid manager for all major EOI, RFP, and tender submissions, including AUD $80M Tasmanian southern road maintenance contract, $30M Bass Highway bypasses, and $5M forestry contracts.► Orchestrated implementation of an Integrated Management System certified by NATA. The solution combined AS/NZS 9002, 14001 and AS 4804 to meet current business needs.► Helped shape the future of road construction and maintenance by representing Tasmania in the effort to identify and develop national competencies for Construction Training Australia.

Tasmania

Ensured timely and profitable completion of civil engineering projects throughout central and southern Tasmania. Managed construction and maintenance of roads, marine facilities (wharves and jetties), and bridges (consisting of timber, concrete, and composite materials). Advanced corporate priorities through business/financial management. Reported directly to the CEO.► Increased regional profits by restructuring operations, updating construction/maintenance procedures, enhancing client services, and cutting business expenses.► Generated more than AUD $30M by managing three-year road maintenance contract across all national and state roads in Tasmania.

Fiji

(Sinclair Knight Merz/Jacobs Engineering Group). Advised the Prime Minister’s office and other government departments on pivotal road construction and maintenance projects. Created training programs that modernised road maintenance and construction techniques in Fiji.

New Zealand

Created the General Engineering business unit (subsidised by Transit New Zealand and Council) offering services for 1500km of rural and urban roads.

Western Samoa

Managed AUD $20M road reconstruction project, and rebuilt 28km sealed road on western part of Le Mafa Pass following the Ofa cyclone.

Master’S Degree, Business Administration (Technology Management)

Registered Engineering Associate (Rea)

Australian Company Directors Course, (Fellow)

Graduate Diploma In Management

New Zealand Certificate Of Engineering (Nzce) Civil