Service Center Page, Jobs

International Consultant in Intelligent Transport Systems.

Vacancy Number: Pr19/01902

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	21 Oct 2019, 14:00 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	28 Oct 2019, 14:00 (GMT+2:00)
Application Extended deadline:	04 Nov 2019, 14:00 (GMT+2:00)
Starting date:	01 Nov 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 December 2020
Supporting Documents: Terms of Reference Individual Consultant Procurement Notice Offeror's Letter confirming Interest and Availability 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 goal of the ITS Feasibility Study and ITS Action Plan is to develop a desirable intelligent transport system for Chisinau city which is practical and cost-effective for an efficient and effective transport management system in Chisinau city. An ITS Action Plan will also be developed for Chisinau City with support from this consultancy.

As part of this project, UNDP through its Green City Lab, will support the interconnection of the ongoing SUMP development process with ITS Action Plan.

The funding from the UNDP-Czech Partnership will facilitate expert support in the guidance/mentoring for ITS Action Plan development. Through the technical assistance and expert support for the Intelligent Transport Systems feasibility study and ITS Action Plan, the Chisinau authorities will be able to learn from the Czech and EU experience and approaches in modern practices of mobility planning and traffic management, which will ultimately secure equitable access of all social groups to urban infrastructure and will increase the quality of life in Chisinau.

In parallel, the GCL and Chisinau municipality will support the ITS Feasibility Study and Action Plan development through a fully participatory and consultative process with professional planners,  citizens, policy makers and key stakeholders.

In a medium and a long-term ITS Action Plan, that will be developed in the framework of UNDP project should change the life in the city as its scope is to:

• Ensure all citizens are offered transport options that enable access to key destinations and services;
• Improve road safety and security;
• Reduce air and noise pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption;
• Improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the transportation of persons and goods;
• Contribute to enhancing the attractiveness and quality of the urban environment and urban design for the benefits of citizens, the economy and society as a whole.

At the same time term ITS Feasibility Study and Action Plan will be a perfect tool for the municipality to ensure a more sustainable transport and mobility development for the entire urban agglomeration, which covers all modes and forms of transport: public and private, passenger and freight, motorised and non-motorised, moving and parking, etc.

In the short-term implementation of the ITS FS and Action Plan, will help municipality to effectively plan its activities and resources required for the implementation of policies and measures set out in the plan. ITS FS and Action Plan can be a perfect tool for municipality to mobilize resources from different funds and subvention programmes, being one of the key documents in municipal transport sector. In compliance with elaborated Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, the UNDP and GCL will further identify the possible investment areas, i.e. procurement of software and hardware for transport monitoring and management and training of the municipal public transport operators in implementation, segregated bus and cycle lane, congestion charge pilot, and different APP for public transport, electronic ticketing, etc.

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:

• Assessment of ITS service needs based on the current and future transport challenges and identifying key priorities for ITS service for Chisinau city.
• Assessment of operating environment with respect to legal and institutional arrangements and technical capacity.
• Recommendations for technological and financing/investment options for the ITS.
• Stakeholder workshop for consultation on the feasibility study and action plan and awareness raising, including capacity building.
• 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 November 2019 to 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

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 in the Europe and CIS countries;
• 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.
• Previous working experience from the Czech Republic in terms of a specific track record of cooperation with institutions and bodies responsible for public policies in transportation, urban development and mobility would be an asset;
• 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).

Important notice:

• 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.

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: Brief proposal explaining why you are the most suitable for this consultancy including confirmation on availability to take up assignment for the whole period.
2. CV, including information about past experience in similar assignments and contact details for at least 3 referees;
3. Financial proposal (in USD, specifying the total lump sum amount as well as the requested amount of the fee per day).
4. Offeror's Letter confirming Interest and Availability.

Financial proposal

Lump sum contracts  

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.

In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including all related costs e.g. fees, taxes, travel, phone calls etc.) and the number of anticipated working days. The consultant shall bare costs for all supplies needed for data collection and data processing including possession of his own personal computer.