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, rail network and modernization of current bus services. The Ministry of Communications (MOC) is now in process of development of the rail system to ensure high quality connection of the economic centers.
The project aims to build efficient and integrated rail system which handles traffic demand necessary to sustain Kuwait's economic growth through modern infrastructure and technology, efficient usage and operations, and institutional reform, and to enhance energy efficiency, improve the environment, enhance safety, 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, design, construction and management of the rail project, improve capacity of the stakeholders, evaluate performance, promote better initiatives and provide decision makers and practitioners with reliable tool for efficient policy development and implementation schemes.

Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Support the MOC in the planning, design, construction, and testing of the project;
• Assess traffic demand and sector's capacity, and review available options;
• Assess the NDP and NTTS requirements in connection with roads, land use, and regional borders, and recommend how the proposed railway project can be integrated with these issues;
• Supervision of contractors’ performance, quality control, reviews general design, and certifying process.
• Assess the national, regional and intermodal benefits of the proposed rail project;
• Assess alignment options and least cost, proposed stations, technical specifications, obstacles, and make recommendations on the sustainability of the project after completion;
• Develop feasibility study, design, RFP, bill of quantities, contract packages, TORs for consultancy work, and cost estimates as required, including externalities cost such as resettlement;
• Monitor safety, health and environment;
• Develop key performance indicators and monitoring and evaluation system and assess successful service provider’s efficiency;
• Coordination with the Technical Director of the NTTS Project;
• Report to the National Project Director of the MOC.

Expected outputs

Development of rail system in Kuwait is a new phenomenon. Rail system is highly complex and subject to various spectrums ranging from structural stability in civil engineering to the latest technology and computerized systems.

Outputs of the assignment include, but not necessarily be limited to, the followings:

• Assessment of current status in Kuwait, including proposed rail alignment, previous studies, required legislations, cross border issues, and project management requirements;
• Development of proposals and implementation plan and gain management approval;
• Development of project budget and cost plan;
• Development of thorough guidelines to optimize the use of resources and facilitate uniform implementation, taking into account all relevant rail components such as engineering and system design, safety and security, low-carbon issues, earthquake resistant, GIS issues, track gradients,  power supply, signaling, depot, control facilities, software, construction procedures, alignment and track work, passenger and freight demand, climate conditions, reliability, availability and maintainability, performance requirements, testing, platform stops, commutations, train lighting, clock system, ventilation and air conditioning, recovery system, information system, and quality assurance;
• Development of sustainable program for training of local cadres, management and assignment of required staff;
• Preparation of RFP, answering queries, and participate at the evaluation and selection;
• Supervision of procurement requirements and contractor works, conduct required test and approve deliverable;
• Harmonization of management modalities of the different consultant/contractor outputs, to meet objectives and deadlines;
• Conduct workshop and training sessions in line with the approved plan;
• Produce technical papers regarding the project and international 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 the rail system, including but not necessarily be limited to, the following.

Technical Knowledge:

• Knowledge of strategic requirements of rail infrastructure, transport- land uses planning, Intelligent Transport System, Project management, enforcement, and information system.
• Knowledge of the relevant  procurement requirements, e.g civil, building, track works, bridges, electrical and mechanical, signals and communications, tunnels, plant and equipment, locomotives, and maintenance depot.
• Ability to provide evidence of previous involvement in the planning and execution of similar projects, and to provide references to these projects;
• Strong written, communication and organization skills.

Achieving Results:

• Appreciation of the role of railway network, and integration of expressways, local roads and public transport services, to improve accessibility, support economic growth, enhance safety; alleviate congestion, and ability to provide high standard guidance;
• Ability to helps 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 area from an accredited university, e.g civil or railways engineering.
  

Experience:

• 20 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 rail projects, ability to assess bids of complex transport / rail projects using modern techniques, and experience in the development of efficient implementation schedules and budget plans;
• Experience in the integration of various modern transport factors including financing mechanisms, engineering, management, drawbacks and services;
• Experience in RFP preparation, bid evaluation, technical specification development, project management and feasibility study of railway projects, and achievement of significant outcomes;
• Knowledge of relevant issues such as institutional reform, human resources development, strategy, transport demand management, safety, road system, traffic management, 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).