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International Consultant in Intelligent Transport Systems.

Vacancy Number: Pr19/01888

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	20 Sep 2019, 14:00 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	27 Sep 2019, 14:00 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	27 Sep 2019
Reference to the project:	Moldova Sustainable Green Cities - Catalyzing investment in sustainable green cities in the Republic of Moldova using a holistic integrated urban planning approach
Expected Duration of Assignment:	75 working days till June 2020
Submission Instructions: Proposal should be submitted online by pressing the “Apply Online”, no later than 20th  September, 2019.  Requests for clarification only must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail:  Alexandru.rotaru@undp.org. UNDP will respond by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.
Supporting Documents: Terms of References Individual Consultant Procurement Notice OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Mr. Alexandru Rotaru.

Background

The Czech-UNDP Partnership for SDGs (hereafter CUP) project “Transfer of Czech experience in the development and implementation of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of the Chisinau Municipality” is linked with the UNDP/GEF project “Moldova Sustainable Green Cities – Catalyzing investment in sustainable green cities in the Republic of Moldova using a holistic integrated urban planning approach”,  to be implemented during 2018–2022 years.

The objective of the project is to activate investments in low carbon green urban development based on integrated urban planning approach by encouraging innovation, participatory planning and partnerships between a variety of public and private sector entities.  

As a tool for this, the project will support the design, launching, and establishment of the Green City Lab (hereafter GCL) to become the leading knowledge management and networking platform, clearing house, an inter-mediator of finance  and a source of innovations and expertise to catalyze sustainable low carbon green city development in Moldova with a mission to transform Chisinau and other urban centers in Moldova into modern green and smart European cities with improved quality of life for their citizens, while also demonstrating opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

The direct global environment benefits of the project are expected to reach at least 200,000 tons of CO2, resulting from the concrete pilot/demonstration projects in the building energy efficiency, transport and waste sectors. These are complemented by project’s indirect GHG emission reduction impact at the estimated amount of 2.4 million tons of CO2 by scaling up, replicating and mainstreaming the project results and activities, including those of the Green City Lab.

Scope of work

The assignment aims to carry out activities, which would be used as inputs and basis for Chisinau to finalize ITS Strategic plan. The activities include:

1) Assessment of ITS service needs based on the current and future transport challenges and identifying key priorities for ITS service for Chisinau city.

2) Assessment of operating environment with respect to legal and institutional arrangements and technical capacity.

3) Recommendations for technological and financing/investment options for the ITS.

4) Stakeholder workshop for consultation on the feasibility study and action plan and awareness raising, including capacity building.

5) Provide technical support to key stakeholders in planning proposed activities, which would ultimately include development of an ITS architecture, an action plan, and recommended assignments of roles and responsibility with a timeline.

The consultancy will commence from 15^th September 2019 to 1st December 2020. The consultant is expected to make minimum 5 visits to Moldova to ensure smooth facilitation and development of the feasibility study and action plan. An inception report including a clear plan and methodology with a timeline should be submitted 2 weeks after contract signing. Contract tasks will include:

• Consultation with stakeholders to become familiar with current transport service and issues and identify ITS needs for Chisinau city. The consultant is expected to carry out a desk review of existing documents and reports related to transport, including the Chisinau structure plan (key documents will be provided to consultancy).
• ITS service needs should be recommended through short, medium and long term plans. The Plans should identify different components of ITS relevant to Chisinau city. The Plans should include qualitative and quantitative data and the ITS study should also address environmental, social and co-benefits in terms of addressing climate change mitigation and meeting development needs in Moldova.
• Review existing policy and legal documents related to transport and identify opportunities and barriers to plan implementation.
• Visit relevant agencies to study institutional arrangements and functions to identify opportunities and constraints faced in efficient and effective implementation of ITS.
• Recommend solutions based on international best practices and developments and recommend ITS architecture and technology options, including cost estimates with context to Moldova.
• The consultant should conduct face-to-face consultations and raise awareness of benefits of ITS to stakeholders. The consultant will take stock of stakeholder perceptions, findings and recommendations and make recommendations on roles and responsibilities each agency could play in ITS implementation.
• Provide necessary support in drawing ITS Action Plan. The consultant will also assist in drafting necessary TORs for immediate ITS implementation by preparing detailed tender-ready specifications for ITS components that are recommended for immediate (up to 5 years) deployment within the identified locations within the City.

The Consultant shall transfer knowledge, skills and good practices through provided consultancy services in close collaboration with National consultant for ITS Action Plan for Chisinau development.  The Consultant will work under direct supervision of the CUP Programme Specialist and in close collaboration with the Green Cities Project Moldova Manager and UNDP Country Office in Moldova. The office of the consultant will be housed in the Green City Lab office. The consultant will report directly to the project manager on day-to day activities and submit reports as required in the agreed upon plan and time schedule.

A National expert contracted by UNDP Green City Lab during the whole working process will second the international expert, providing assistance, local guidance and necessary support to the consultant.

Requirements for experience

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

Academic qualifications:

• At least master’s degree in transport engineering, urban development and/or other related fields.

Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in ITS design, planning and implementation/ urban mobility and/or other related fields;
• The Consultant must be an individual that has no direct or indirect affiliations (financial or otherwise) with an ITS product manufacturer/vendor, and must disclose any associations that may affect the impartiality of the study outcome.
• At list three (3) years of experience in the international state-of-the-art approaches and best practices in ITS development in his field of expertise;
• Experience in ITS design and practical project implementation within Europe.
• Previous working experience from the Czech Republic and /or EU in terms of a specific track record of cooperation with institutions and bodies responsible for public policies in transportation, urban development and mobility;
• Proven experience in cooperation with international organizations or other bodies responsible for formulating smart urban development, at least three (3) similar assignments; previous working experience with UNDP or other international agencies will be an asset;
• Demonstrated experience and success in the engagement of and working with the private sector and CSOs in transportation, urban development and/or other related fields;
• Thorough understanding of ITS Architectures, practical experiences in ITS deployments, and working knowledge of hardware components included in ITS technology.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills and the related ability for adaptive management with prompt action on the conclusion and recommendations coming out from the assignment;
• Ability and demonstrated success to work in a team, to effectively organize it, and to motivate its members and other project counterparts to effectively work towards the project’s objective and expected outcomes;
• Experience with Eastern European countries will be an asset;
• Excellent communication, analytical, facilitation and presentation skills;
• Excellent computer literacy (Word, Excel, Internet, Power Point).

Language skills

• Proficiency (verbal and written) in English; working level of Romanian and/or Russian will be an asset.

Documents to be included

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal, explaining why they are the most suitable for the work, including past experience in similar assignments, providing a brief information on above qualifications and methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable).
2. Financial proposal (in USD), specifying a fee per day and total requested amount including all related costs, e.g. fees, per diems, travel costs, phone calls, etc.;
3. CV and/or the duly filled in and signed Personal History Form (P11), and at least three names for a reference check.

Financial proposal

Financial proposal 

The financial proposal will specify the daily fee, travel expenses and per diems quoted in separate line items, and payments are made to the Individual Consultant based on the number of days worked.

Travel 

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.