UNDP Jobs - 55615- Senior Transport Specialist

Senior Transport Specialist

Location :

Erbil, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

25-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

45 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

Please do not send your application through this website and send the complete application to ic1.undp.iq@undp.org (only

Application with complete supporting documents received in ic1.undp.iq@undp.org before or at the closing date will be processed).

In order to sustain the significant gains that the Kurdistan Region has registered in promoting investment and in expanding the supply of basic services and to ensure the continuity of its development strategy, the KRG launched the Regional Development Vision for 2020, which provides a framework for policy development, defines priorities, and outlines a strategy to improve opportunities for the people.

To identify institutional and human capacity gaps and remove barriers hampering private investment and public-private partnerships for development, the Ministry of Planning commissioned the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Needs Assessment (SEINA) that was produced jointly with UNDP Iraq and released in 2012. Since then, progress has been registered in certain sectors whereas public investment in other areas has not attracted private capital as expected, the uneven impact prompting the need for a new assessment of development infrastructure gaps. Consequently, the Ministry of Planning decided to undertake three studies in 2014 which, together make-up the KR Sustainable Development Initiative (KR-SDI). They are:

A revised SEINA II designed to update the gap/solutions analysis conducted in SEINA I, to add some sectors not studied in 2012 (ICT, financial services), and additional analysis of some strategic sectors, also in the light of RDV2020 goals;
The Skills Needs Assessment (SNA), and,
The Kurdistan Region Enterprise Census (KREC).

UNDP has launched a Strategy and Global Initiative to guide its work on Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development. The UNDP Global Initiative will provide programme management for both SEINA II and SNA. The consultant will report to the Senior Economist/Team Coordinator with primary responsibility for the carrying-out of SEINA 2014, including the preparation of the task and leadership of the main field mission.

The SEINA 2014 will be a follow-up and update to the SEINA 2012 and include all the sectors, covered previously:

Hard infrastructure: Electricity, Water and Wastewater, Natural resources (water, hydrocarbons), Transportation, Telecommunications); and support to the three leading growth sectors of Agriculture, Industry, and Tourism;
Hard infrastructure of the social sectors Health and Education; and

Institutional infrastructure (Financial services, Industrial zones, Environment, Skills).

To ensure consistency in the socio-economic infrastructure needs assessment exercise, SEINA 2014 will employ the same methodology used for the 2012 version (and use largely the same team of experts) while widening the scope of the study to include sectors that are critical to a modern economy, namely ICT and financial services. Data analyses, interviews, scouting missions and studies done by/for others will be used for this study. Innovative financing solutions for the infrastructure investment needs will be sought, including private finance and PPPs.

For the conduct of this task, it has been decided to acquire the services of a Senior Transport Infrastructure Specialist for a period of about 45 days, of which approximately 25 days in the field in Kurdistan, in the period April-May 2015.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will travel to Erbil and also to other areas of the Kurdistan Region, visiting relevant institutions, key persons, and infrastructural facilities as necessary to reach a good understanding and identify main issues of transport and other urban (mobility/transport related) infrastructure in principal agglomerations. The consultant will take note of the work conducted under SEINA 2012 and update sector information, before conducting a critical review of sector developments over the past 3 years (since SEINA 2012).

More specifically, the consultant will:

Acquaint him/herself with the current overall situation of transport (road, rail, air, inland ports/logistical centers, and location of industrial and/or special economic zones) and urban transport in Kurdistan Region. The consultant will conduct a thorough desk review of all material, data, and statistics available (some of which may be made available before the mission, others will have to be acquired during the mission). A Regional Road development plan had been prepared, and an evaluation of its status of implementation together with a critical review of its objectives and strategies would be necessary as a first step;
Consult with knowledgeable government staff and other persons in the Region and use direct observation to identify the main obstacles facing transport in general and in urban areas in the Kurdistan region, and evaluate what impact the large number of displaced persons and refugees may have on the capacity of the transport network and vice-versa'
Assess overall demand for transport services, including by dialoguing with other mission members able to provide information on development in leading sectors (Industry, Agriculture, Tourism) and the most important infrastructure sectors needing transport services (health, education, housing, urban/regional development);
Assess the potential demand for public transport in major agglomerations, especially the Regional and the two provincial capitals, noting any progress in development of public mass transit. Suggest ways in which the development of public, mass transport could be fostered or promoted using both existing studies of the subject as well as providing new ideas and insights based on international experience. Review critically, using economic criteria, any plans for addressing urban transport needs, especially light rail (several such projects were under examination in 2012).

At the end of the field mission, the consultant will draft a preliminary report for the Team Coordinator containing major initial/preliminary findings, conclusions and recommendations. Further, the consultant shall present a final report in which are described the possible solutions including various modes of transport and mass transit (bus, trams, light rail), to serve current needs and projected needs in 2025 are described and analyzed. The report will also present a proposed investment program (for all transport subsectors or modes) in physical and financial terms. The consultant should discuss the proposed investment program with the SEINA team and sector experts in the Region, so that it is broadly acceptable to main stakeholders.

Competencies

Ethics & Values:

Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Organizational Awareness:

Excellent knowledge of development issues and internationally-agreed development goals;
Good knowledge of information and communication technology/applications;

Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring:

Self-development, initiative-taking;
Takes appropriate risk in developing new or adapting existing methods and approaches to more effectively perform tasks or to solve problems in new and unique ways.

Working in Teams:

Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner;
Excellent oral and written skills to develop knowledge products in relevant areas.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

Creating synergies through self-control tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development and keeps abreast of new developments in his/her professional field.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: (max. points 20 points)

Master and/or equivalent degree in transport, engineering, and/or economics (or similar) and/or urban planning or infrastructure, with additional training and/or experience in planning transport investment projects in middle-income country environments. 15 points
For any additional above master degree = 5 degree up to max.. 20 points

Experience and Skills: (max. points 40 points)

A minimum10 years of experience analyzing transport and urban infrastructure in developing countries. Familiar with Middle Eastern economies;15 points,

For each additional year = 1 point , up to max. 20 Points

Theoretical and practical experience in drafting, implementing, monitoring and evaluating public policies, strategies or concepts relevant to the selected thematic area;

Excellent drafting and formulation skills; proven record of drafting official reports or papers/studies in the selected area;

Experience working as a public official or as a staff member of an international financial organization; working/collaborating withgovernments is considered an advantage;
UN experience, as well as with IFIs would be assets;
Experience with training and facilitation is an advantage. 20 points

Language Requirements: (max. points 10 points)

Fluency in spoken and written English is a must;
Knowledge of other UN Languages, a plus.10 points.

Application:

Brief Methodology : (max. points 30 points)

A brief methodology stipulating how the work will be implemented. 30 points.

Please do not send your application through this website and send the complete application to ic1.undp.iq@undp.org (only

Application with complete supporting documents received in ic1.undp.iq@undp.org before or at the closing date will be processed).