Background

In the Philippines, the transportation sector accounts for almost 37% of total national energy consumption, where road transport typically consumes about 80% of this share. More alarmingly, transportation is one of the fastest growing consumer of fossil fuels and the fastest growing sources of CO2 emissions. With rapid urbanization, energy consumption and CO2 emissions by urban transport are increasing rapidly. In the past decades, transport planning model adopted by the Philippines, as other Asian countries, prioritized the movement of cars and motorized vehicles to facilitate the growing demand for mobility of passengers and goods. So not surprisingly, urban and inter-regional transport is dependent primarily on road-based transportation such as buses, cars, motorcycles and tricycles, jeepneys and utility vehicles. The number of utility vehicles and cars, in particular, are increasing significantly with over 50% of the registered vehicles located in Metro Manila and adjacent regions. As such, there has been an increasing preference for private fossil fuel based motorized travel and less investments have been made for sustainable public transport and non-motorized transport like walking and cycling. With the exception of the use of Auto-LPG in taxis, there has been a marginal increase in the share of cleaner vehicles using alternative fuels such as CNG buses, Auto-LPG jeepneys, electric vehicles (jeepneys, tricycles in selected cities). There is still more work to be done to increase the efficiency of the urban public transport system considering the increase in number of people commuting regularly between Metro Manila and adjacent provinces. The expansion of rail-based mass transit systems has been at a slower pace and inter-modal transportation facilities such as integrated provincial bus terminals are still lacking where provincial buses are found to be mixed with city buses competing for road space in major arterial roads.

The proposed project has been structured around the following three components anticipated to support the achievement of the project objective, i.e. to create an enabling environment for the commercialization of low carbon urban transport systems (e.g. electric, hybrid vehicles and AGT systems) in the Philippines. The proposed project targets mass public transport vehicles such as electric and hybrid buses, e-jeepneys, etc. It does not include support to private cars.

The three components are as follows:

Component 1: Policy support for the promotion of low carbon modes of transport

Component 2: Awareness and institutional capacity development

Component 3: Investment in low carbon transport systems in the country

Institutional Arrangement

The Policy and Regulatory Specialist will directly report to both Project Manager and National Project Director. At different points during the contract, the Policy and Regulatory Specialist is expected to liaise/interact/collaborate/meet with the DOTr and project stakeholders. As needed, the DOTr staff shall provide administrative and logistical assistance to the Consultant in order for her/him to accomplish enumerated outputs. The position may also require possible travel to support the Project Management Unit in its meetings, presentations, workshops, data gathering and related events, whenever necessary.

Duration of Work

The expected duration of work is estimated to be working for 110 days spread over 5 months.  The target date for the start of work is 1 September 2019 and the completion date is 31 January 2020.

Duty Station

The Policy and Regulatory Specialist shall report to the DOTr and UNDP Office, as needed.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on lump sum amount.

The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR

Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

• First Tranche -10%  Upon submission and approval of a detailed workplan;

• Second Tranche - 10% Upon submission and approval of the Comprehensive compilation, analysis and recommendation of policies and regulations related to Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems. Submission and acceptance of comprehensive report;

• Third Tranche - 10% Upon submission and approval of the recommended strategic action plan for DOTr and other stakeholders with benefit-cost analysis of the policy-related information mentioned in #2. Submission and acceptance of strategic action plan;

• Fourth Trance - 30% Upon submission and approval of the report on the review, comments and recommendations on the draft of the “Electric, Hybrid and Other Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentives Act of 2016” or its latest version, if available. In addition, the submission and acceptance of the report on the review, comments and recommendations on the updated Implementing Rules and Regulations, or its latest version, related to Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems;

• Fifth Tranche - 15% Upon submission and approval of the report on the review, comments and recommendations on the draft standards for energy efficiency labelling for vehicles or its latest version, if available;

• Sixth Tranche - 15% Upon completion and approval of the conduct of the training program on policy and regulation related to Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems for key executing agencies;

• Seventh Tranche - 10%  Upon completion and approval of the conduct of the  two (2) capacity development workshops/forum, including the submission and acceptance of workshop/forum documentation report

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Function

The Policy and Regulatory Specialist for Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems Project shall provide overall technical guidance to policy-related work under all the components of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy and Regulatory Specialist shall:

Provide policy support in the promotion and implementation of low carbon urban transport systems

• Consult the executing agencies, such as the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Transportation (DOTr), on the various versions of the “Electric, Hybrid and Other Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentives Act of 2016”.
• Coordinate with appropriate channels in the House of Representatives and the Senate to explore policy champions;
• Compile the necessary policies and programs that support low carbon, review, analyze and provide recommendations for DOTr’s and OGAs reference;
• Support the passage of the “Electric, Hybrid and Other Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentives Act of 2016”, or its latest version by inputting the necessary recommendations into the draft bill;
• Enhance the implementing rules and regulations that have been reviewed based on the feedback of relevant executing agencies and update the IRR;
• Complement policy and programs in support of low carbon urban transport systems by supporting the DOE’s implementation of the vehicle efficiency labelling component of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act;
• Draft standards for the vehicle efficiency labelling component of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act; and
• Prepare presentation materials, with focus on policy and regulation, designed for Government Agencies and Policy-Makers, CSOs and Transport Organizations, and for the riding public.

Draft the standards for energy efficiency labelling for vehicles:

• Coordinate with the Transport Specialist in drafting the Standards for Energy Efficiency Labelling for vehicles;
• Meet with the necessary government agencies, business groups, research institutions to conduct focus group discussions and key informant interviews;
• Review and collate relevant global practices;
• Coordinate with the necessary government agencies for review of possible energy efficiency standards; and
• Input to the draft for Standards for Energy Efficiency Labelling for Vehicles.

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.

Functional and technical competencies

• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment;
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure and to meet strict and competing deadlines;
• Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

Required Skills and Experience