Background

Efficient, resilient, and well-planned road networks ensure that no one is left behind in the drive for inclusive growth. This is why roads are considered as an important foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a prerequisite for bringing communities together.

At present, only 24.6% of all provincial roads in the Philippines are of acceptable quality. Of the 12,726km of provincial core roads, 57.2% are unpaved and in need of upgrading, while 20.2% are in poor condition and in need of rehabilitation. The situation is similarly dire for the 19,098 km of non-core roads, with 67% needing upgrading and 7% in need of rehabilitation.

To address this situation, the Department for the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched the Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces (CMGP) initiative to improve the quality of the local road network across the country, by providing both financial investment for capital outlay, as well as strengthening the governance processes so that provincial governments are themselves able to effectively plan, design, implement and maintain their road networks. The Program addresses the underinvestment in local roads, and improvement of national-local roads connectivity to increase economic activity, and improve public access to facilities and services in the provinces. 

For FY 2017 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the Program has a total budget of P18.03 Billion under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). Aside from this, the DILG budget also has an allocation of P564.256 Million for FY 2017 intended to support the governance reform, quality assurance, and monitoring of road projects of the PLGUs.

The Program, however, is not only a road engineering intervention; it is also a governance reform program in local roads management (LRM) and public financial management (PFM). Thus, in partnership with DILG, UNDP has launched a project “Paving the Roads to SDGs through Good Governance (Roads2SDGs)” which aims to provide support to the governance reform and quality assurance components of CMGP through the ‘Road to SDGs’ framework. This framework will anchor the prioritization, planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of infrastructure projects to the achievement of the SDGs, incorporating the elements of partnership building, climate change and disaster risk reduction, gender mainstreaming, and citizen participation for transparency and accountability.

An integral component of the DILG-CMGP governance reform area on Local Road Management is Local Road Network Development Planning. One of the key issues observed is that road projects are highly vulnerable to poor planning and design. Provinces do not have local road management plan to base annual road works nor do they have a rationalized process in selection of road projects. The prevailing focus of road rehabilitation and repair is on project-by-project basis, rather than holistically viewing project impact or on benefits of total length of the road to provide consistent connectivity standards from Point A to Point B. Further, there are gaps noted in regards to Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction, among others.

In closing these gaps, one of the key results aimed is for provincial governments to have a Local Road Network Development Plan that is complete, updated and used for road investment planning, and expanded to transport planning. Specifically, Roads2SDGs is tasked to provide capacity enhancement activities for provincial governments, including the development and enhancement of modules on local road network and development planning.

Towards this end, the Roads2SDGs project proposes the hiring of a Road Planning Specialist, who will be primarily responsible in the review and recommend applicable enhancements of the existing Local Road Network and Development Plans (LRNDP). The consultant will also recommend, develop and conduct capacity building programs for of provincial governments units (PLGUs) on road planning. It will be a short-term engagement with possible extension depending on the results of the interventions.

Outcome

It is desired that at the end of six (6) months, provincial local governments shall have been equipped with knowledge and tools towards holistic and responsive road planning.

Objectives

To achieve the foregoing, the engagement of a UNDP Road Planning Specialist seeks to:

1. Narrow knowledge and skill gaps in road planning through training activities and other capacity development interventions;

2. Capacitate provincial local governments in developing LRNDPs through tools such as a manual; and,

3. Promote the development, enhancement and implementation of Local Road Network Development Plans (LRNDPs) among provincial local governments;

Expected Outputs

1. Framework for the Review and enhancement of the LRNDP;

2. Manual and modules in developing/enhancing LRNDP for provincial local governments

3. Conduct of training activities and/or other capacity development interventions on road planning of provincial local governments.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Roads2SDGs Project Manager through the Roads Sector Manager shall have direct supervision of the Road Planning Specialist.  They may assign a focal person who shall coordinate with the Vendor.  The Vendor shall undertake the following:

1. Conduct a survey/research of local road planning literature, policies, guidelines and practices published locally or internationally, and which may be relevant in designing a framework for the review of the provincial local governments’ LRNDP;

2. Conduct technical meetings and focus group discussions among UNDP, DILG-CMGP Project Management Office and consult with government agencies and institutions as necessary;

3. Draft a manual for developing/enhancing LRNDPs among provincial local governments, preceded by the framework;

4. Pilot the use of the manual to a select sample among provincial local government units;

5. Plan and implement capacity development interventions among provincial local governments to address identified gaps on road planning;

6. Organize the conduct of workshops and related activities to consolidate learning, suggestions and proposed enhancements on the manual, modules and tools on road planning; and,

7. When necessary, engage in fieldwork to identify capacity development needs of stakeholders on road planning.

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;
• Expertise in data collection and analysis
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Strong analytical and research skills; and
• Excellent organizational, and communication skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Applicatuin Requirements:

Applicants are requested to upload the following documents in one file:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability that indicates the all-inclusive lumpsum contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided; If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; 
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

Complete and detailed TOR along with the application requirements can be accessed thru this link:http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=51798

Kinldy submit your application to: procurement.ph@undp.org

“In view of the volume of applications UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.”