UNDP Jobs - 44197- Mass Transit Expert for the Ministry Of Communicat

Mass Transit Expert for the Ministry Of Communications

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

22-Mar-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 months

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

Kuwait is highly urbanized State and most people live in the cities. Issues and constraints that contribute to traffic and transport sector problems in Kuwait include (1) Increasing demand for transport of people and goods associated with limited infrastructure capacity, inefficient public transport services, and unavailability of railway and metro networks, (2) need for better transport-land use planning, (3) need for a reliable information system, and (4) increasing vehicles, population, congestion, vehicle emissions, and accidents.

The Government has launched a long-term policy vision under the banner of “Kuwait 2035”, aimed at transferring Kuwait into a regional financial and commercial hub, to enhance sustainability of the country’s economy. A 4 years National Development Plan (NDP) has been developed to facilitate the implementation.

To manage demand, and improve mobility and accessibility in Kuwait, an integrated National Traffic and Transport Strategy 2010-2020 (NTTS) has been developed, included in the NDP, and adopted by the Ministers Council for implementation by the relevant Ministries.

As a priority project, the public transport has been selected for implementation through building of Kuwait metro, railway network and modernization of current bus services. The Ministry of Communications (MOC) is now in process of development of the public transport to ensure high quality connection of the economic centers.

The project aims to build efficient and integrated public transport system which handles traffic demand necessary to sustain Kuwait's economic growth through modern infrastructure and technology, efficient usage and operations, and institutional reform, to enhance energy efficiency, improve the environment, enhance safety, alleviate congestion, maximize benefit for consumers and producers of goods and services, and improve productivity.

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical support for the MOC to promote best practice of planning and implementation of efficient mass transit policy and system for movement of people within urban areas using group travel technologies such as buses, metro and trains, promote efficient movement of goods, strengthen stakeholder's partnership and customers use, and support reform.

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

Support the MOC in planning, design, construction, and testing of the mass transit projects;
Assess traffic demand and sector's capacity, and review available options;
Assess the NDP and NTTS requirements in connection with road networks, land use, intermodal benefits, and recommend how the proposed projects can be integrated with these issues;
Monitor safety, health and environment;
Ensure key technical, economic, financial and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects;
Develop and maintain a suitable network to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues;
Resolves situations where client needs are not being met;
Institutional reform in the public transport sector, especially in areas of legal and regulatory framework, asset management, sustainability, and institutional efficiency;
Collaborate with other partners in the transport sector for consistency and harmonization of approach;
Identify risk factors, test sensitivity to them, and propose mitigating measures;
Develop key performance indicators and monitoring and evaluation system;
Coordination with the Technical Director of the NTTS Project;
Report to the National Project Director of the MOC.

Expected outputs

Output of the assignment revolve around providing leadership in various mass transit areas, including, but not necessarily be limited to, the followings:

Assessment of current status in Kuwait, including public transport services (buses), proposed rail and metro projects, required legislations, urbanization, and management issues;
Assessment of potential mass transit efficiency including integration of various transport modes, and links with the urban road network, traffic control system, and pedestrian and parking facilities;
Development of integrated policy and work plan and gain management approval;
Development of project budget and cost plan;
Development of thorough guidelines to optimize the use of public transport taking into account all relevant components such as reliability, availability, affordability, maintenances, stations, transport-land use planning, user demand, fare system, performance requirements, user information system, promotion, quality assurance and mentoring and evaluation;
Development of sustainable program for training of local cadres and management, including planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and safety;
Development of policy to optimize customer use and establish link with the stakeholders and community groups.
Monitor progress of RFP, procurement issues, contracts, and institutional performance;
Conduct workshop and training sessions in line with the approved implementation plan and deadlines;
Produce technical papers regarding the best practice to advance knowledge of staff, management and users.
Development of periodical progress reports.

Competencies

The consultant should demonstrate diverse skills in various areas of mass transit, including but not necessarily be limited to, the following.

Technical Knowledge:

Knowledge of strategic requirements of mass transit infrastructure, transport-land use planning, Intelligent Transport System, Project management, enforcement, and information system;
Knowledge of relevant procurement requirements, e.g civil, building, track works, bridges, electrical and mechanical, signals and communications, plant and equipment, locomotives, and maintenance depot.
Ability to review demand for transport of goods by rail based on origin-destination data and traffic forecast, and review demand for passenger traffic based on an origin and destination survey;
Ability to carry out sustainability analysis looking at both financial implications and implementation capacity, including policy instruments, project's sustainability, tariffs, and maintenance;
Ability to provide evidence of previous involvement in the planning and execution of similar mass transit projects, and to provide references to these projects;
Strong written, communication and organization skills.

Achieving Results:

Appreciation of the integration of expressways, local roads and public transport services, to improve accessibility, support economic growth, enhance safety, and alleviate congestion;
Ability to provide stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes;
Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the delivery of services and products;
Ability to help staff to expand knowledge, and provide sustainable training and development program.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Appropriate degree, preferably at MSc or PhD level, in the relevant areas from an accredited university, e.g civil engineering, transport planning or public transport.

Experience:

25 years of professional experience with solid record of practical achievement and management of integrated and complex projects;
Comprehensive Knowledge and practical experience in large scale mass transit projects, ability to assess bids of complex projects, and experience in the development of efficient long term plans, implementation of schedules and budget plans, and meet targets;
Experience in RFP preparation, bid evaluation, technical specification development, and feasibility study of mass transit projects and achievement of significant outcomes;
Experience in the integration of various modes of transport including financing mechanisms, engineering, management, drawbacks and services;
Knowledge of relevant issues such as institutional reform, human resources development, strategy, transport demand management, transport planning, safety, road system, traffic operations, congestion issues, GIS, information system and interagency coordination;
Demonstrated skills in programme formulation and design, and experience in the usage of computer, relevant specialized programs and office software packages.

Language:

Fluent in English.

Duration:

The consultancy duration is 9 months and will end by December 2014 (with a possibility of extension).