UNDP Jobs - 53738- Individual Consultant Procurement Notice: Provisio

Individual Consultant Procurement Notice: Provision of Individual Services of a Transport Expert Consultant - LEB/CO IC/19/15

Location :

Beirut, LEBANON

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Twelve (12) months with assigned 120 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Twelve (12) months with assigned 120 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

During the last decade, the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) has recognized the offshore hydrocarbon potential in Lebanon and has commissioned several studies to further analyze this potential.

On the technical side, and in preparation for launching the first offshore licensing round, the MoEW and the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA) assigned geophysical service companies to perform seismic surveys that covered the entire Lebanese offshore. The results of these surveys showed that there are prominent oil and gas reserves, with gas being dominant.

On the environmental side, the Government of Lebanon (GoL) represented by the MoEW commissioned, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the preparation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the offshore petroleum sector. This assessment identified several environmental recommendations that created the first component of the project entitled "Sustainable Oil and Gas Development in Lebanon" (SODEL).

In its second component, SODEL will look at the uses of the potential gas resources and other low carbon fuels in different sectors in Lebanon, namely the transport and energy sectors, in order to develop an upstream gas policy paper that would maximize economic benefits to Lebanon while safeguarding the environment.

Ultimately, this would ensure that all decisions taken in the upstream gas exploration and production sectors as well as in the downstream use of natural gas and other hydrocarbon fuels, if found, take environmental, economic and social considerations into account in order to protect both the environment and the local communities.

SODEL is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP (Energy and Environment Portfolio) in partnership with LPA and the MoEW.

This document constitutes the Terms of Reference for the provision of consultancy services for the preparation of a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) for the use of natural gas and low carbon fuels in the transport sector in Lebanon.

Duties and Responsibilities

In preparation for the expected offshore oil and gas activities, the MoEW is developing a National Hydrocarbon Strategy. The Strategy would include the technical, environmental, safety, social, legal, as well as infrastructural aspects and impacts of the introduction of natural gas into the Lebanese energy market on the short, medium and long terms.

In this context, the SODEL project will support in undertaking some of the required technical and environmental studies that would help in setting policy recommendations for the uses of the potential natural gas resources and low carbon fuels, as alternative fuels, in Lebanon. Particular focus will be on the use of these fuels in the transport sector in Lebanon, whether for private or public use.

The role of this Consultancy is to provide clear guidance on the use of natural gas (assuming that an abundant supply of natural gas is available for use) and other low carbon and alternative fuels that can best be applicable to Lebanon in the transport sector, with a specific evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of the use of these fuels in the future plans and policies.

Methodology of work

The Methodology of work will consist of desk review, in addition to consultations with the stakeholders involved directly or indirectly with the transport sector in Lebanon, particularly the MoEW, LPA, MoE, CDR, MoPWT.

The main challenges that will encounter the Consultant will be data gaps/discrepancies as well as and setting assumptions and extrapolations. All assumptions used have to be approved by the Project Committee.

Tasks

Under the direct supervision of the SODEL Project Manager, the Consultant’s responsibilities are, but not limited to, the following:

Task 1: Overview of the current use of hydrocarbons in the transport sector in Lebanon;
Task 2: Define the various options for the use of gas and other low carbon fuels applicable to the Lebanese transport sector for various fleet types and for both the public and private fleets;
Task 3: Conduct an assessment of the existing infrastructure in Lebanon and provide recommendations to upgrade/rehabilitate the infrastructure as needed;
Task 4: Conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) on the possible use of natural gas and other low carbon fuels in the transport sector;
Task 5: Provide recommendations to update or develop new legislation to implement the new scenarios;
Task 6: Provide policy recommendations;
Task 7: Conduct consultation workshop to verify the attained results;
Task 8: Design a pilot study on the use of gas or low carbon fuels.

For detailed information, please Refer to Annex I – Terms of Reference.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

High proficiency in English languages, Arabic is an asset
Demonstrable analytical skills,
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills,
Excellent analytical, and facilitation skills, and
Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree (at the Masters level) in engineering, economics, or environmental science, or closely related fields. PhD is an asset.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant experience in the transport sector,
Local experience is preferable,
Extensive knowledge in vehicle technologies and transport mechanisms,
Knowledge of national policies and plans;
Previous experience in preparation of similar studies, reviews, and sectorial recommendations is an asset.

Languages:

High proficiency in English language;
Arabic is an asset.

Application:

Kindly refer to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and all related Annexes by visiting the below link:

http://www.lb.undp.org/content/lebanon/en/home/operations/procurement/

Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.