Project Title: Promotion of Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems in the Philippines (LCT) Project

Project Description

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 Promotion of Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems in the Philippines (LCT) Project, implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and supported by the Global Environment Facility, aims to create an enabling environment for the commercialization of low carbon urban transport systems (e.g. electric and hybrid vehicles). 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: Private sector participation and investment in low carbon transport system in the country

Scope of Work 

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and National Project Director, the Policy and Regulatory Expert for the 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 Expert shall render the following services:

1. Strategize, develop, and revise, as necessary, policy materials (including research, briefs, position papers, presentations, and draft statutes), either independently or jointly with the LCT PMU, LCT consultants, and with government agencies (DOTr, DOE, DTI, etc.), on Low Carbon Urban Transportation Systems, which would include, but not limited to the following policies:
   1. Proposed Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR);
   2. IRR of Republic Act No. 11285 (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act);
   3. Standards on the vehicle efficiency labelling component of RA 11285; and
   4. Other new and emerging policies, and proposed plans and legislations at the national and local level, as well as proposed policy issuances in the executive branch, as determined by the National Project Director (NPD) or the Project Manager.
2. Engage and present, as necessary, with key stakeholders which include, but not limited to: national government agencies, legislative offices, local government units, civil society organizations, transport organizations, and the general public, to explore, educate, and recruit policy champions to support policies identified in section 1.
3. Lead the development of LCT-related national government-level (legislative and executive) and local government-level plans and policy templates, in coordination with the other LCT consultants and the PMU, and as determined by the NPD or the Project Manager.
4. Conduct and/or actively participate in internal (LCT PMU) and external meetings, fora, discussions, hearings, and other activities with the PMU and/or stakeholders in support of the activities by the LCT PMU, as determined by the NPD, Project Manager, or the Policy Support Officer
5. Provide technical assistance to the drafting, revision, and research on LCT policies and regulations impacting the private sector or the local government, in coordination with other component leads and consultants;
6. Submit monthly briefs of new and relevant policies which might impact LCT to the PMU;
7. Other activities as may be determined by the NPD, Project Manager, or the Policy Support Officer.

B.Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Institutional Arrangement

The Policy and Regulatory Expert will directly report to both Project Manager and National Project Director, under daily supervision of the Policy Support Officer. At different points during the contract, the

Policy and Regulatory Expert 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 project sites within and outside Metro Manila to support the Project Management Unit in its meetings, presentations, workshops, data gathering and related events, whenever necessary.The consultant will be paid an all-inclusive lump sum amount (i.e. professional fees, communications including internet). Should travel outside the duty station be required, domestic airfare, food and accommodation of the consultant outside Manila will be shouldered by UNDP project.

Duration of Work

The expected duration of work is estimated to be working for 121 days spread over 10 months.

Duty Station

The duty station is in Metro Manila, Philippines. The Policy and Regulatory Expert is expected to work remotely, but shall report to the DOTr and UNDP Office, as needed. Travel to identified local government units is necessary.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work and travel of the Individual consultant shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the local and national government.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values, and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in meetings

Other Competencies

• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize, and execute effectively;
• Initiative, good analytical skills, mature judgment and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics and honesty;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a diverse environment
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients;
• Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment and to deal with complex multi- stakeholder environment
• Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources;
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills, focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment

Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

The technical evaluation will be based on the criteria below. The Offeror must obtain the minimum technical score of 70 points in the technical qualification criteria to qualify and be shortlisted.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial proposal should be expressed in lump sum amount inclusive of all financial costs related to this engagement (i.e., professional fees X number of working days, communications and other miscellaneous expenses) to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment.

Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during contract duration.

Payments will be made when specific outputs have been submitted, as outlined below:

C.Recommended Presentation of Offer

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experiences 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
4. Methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
5. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total 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. Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during contract duration.
6. Sample work (policy research/input, etc) on previous projects involving transportation and/or energy policy research/advocacy. The offeror should ensure that the sample work provided is not covered under any non-disclosure agreement he/she has entered into with any party.

D.Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

The combined scoring method will be used where the qualifications will be weighted 40%, methodology 30% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30%

Offerors must upload in one (1) file the aforementioned documents (1-6). Templates for a) P11 Personal History Form and b)  Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability are available through the link below. UNDP General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contractors  are also available:

http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU

Incomplete submission of required documents may result in disqualification.

Please see deadline of submissions above.

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