Procurement Notices

TRANSPORT EXPERT FOR THE PROMOTION OF LOW CARBON URBAN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN THE PHILIPPINES (LCT) PROJECT

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Background

TRANSPORT EXPERT FOR THE PROMOTION OF LOW CARBON URBAN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN THE PHILIPPINES (LCT) PROJECT

PROJECT ID 00093480 / OUTPUT ID 00086135

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 consumers of fossil fuels and the fastest-growing source of CO2 emissions. With rapid urbanization, energy consumption and CO2 emissions by urban transport are increasing rapidly.

In the past decades, the 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, and 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 the number of regular commuters 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 inadequate 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 (GEF), aims to create an enabling environment for the commercialization of low carbon urban transport systems in the Philippines. 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 systems in the country

The Project is working with the key national agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in the development of policies, guidelines and standards in promoting low carbon transport. Also, the Project takes a partnership approach through a Memorandum of Understanding with its target pilot cities of Baguio, Santa Rosa, Pasig, and Iloilo in implementing the project activities at the LGU level. Lastly, the Project targets to partner with private sectors such as vehicle manufacturers, transport operators and transport cooperatives, and financial institutions in commercializing low carbon transport systems.

To promote and commercialize low-carbon transport systems in the country, influencing the institutional mechanisms to address key barriers in fostering an investment-friendly environment is imperative. This means for the Project to introduce standards, mechanisms, processes and technologies into the country’s public urban transport system, and at the same time, ensure its validity, adaptability and sustainability. In particular, the work entails building, testing and enhancing frameworks that will strengthen the rationale and local implementation of low carbon transport, capacity building of key actors, and evidence-based approach in introducing the market and technology to potential investors and stakeholders, among others.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Specific Objective

The Project recently developed a green route selection framework, which aims to establish concrete and measurable criteria for green routes[1]. This will guide the local government units (LGU) in proposing green routes from their respective Local Public Transport Route Plans (LPTRPs) and will also aid the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in evaluating proposals. Assessing the framework in a form of simulation is necessary to further validate the process and enable its adoption.

While the focused pilot LGUs and transport planning institutions are already capacitated and knowledgeable in transport planning, the adoption of new standards, mechanisms, and processes for low carbon transport systems would necessitate appropriate and tailored capacity-building interventions. Further, benchmarking activity such as performance monitoring and evaluation is essential to inform the proponents, approving authorities, and potential investors of the appropriate technical standards of an electric vehicle (EV) unit.

To ensure the continuity, quality, and reinforcement of the Project’s initiatives in areas of green route development, institutional capacity development, and technical standards development, the Project is procuring the services of a Transport Expert. Specifically, the Transport Expert is expected to:

1. Facilitate the testing of the green routes selection framework through a simulation process, and enhance the framework, as needed, based on the results;
2. Formulate a capacity-building framework and curriculum for the government agencies, LGUs, and key stakeholders along with the processes of green routes selection, evaluation, and approval;
3. Coordinate and facilitate activities that will establish the institutional mechanisms to sustainably implement low carbon transport policies and programs, in the form of a dedicated office/unit at the DOTr and at the local government level; and
4. In support of promoting electric vehicles through an evidence-based approach, develop guidelines in conducting EV performance monitoring and evaluation; and

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Facilitate the testing of the green routes selection framework through a simulation process, and enhance the framework, as needed, based on the results

1. Support the vetting of the existing framework with different stakeholders
2. Map the proposed processes from the framework vis-à-vis existing local and national government processes, and identify overlaps and gaps
3. Develop the data collection instruments and tools in the testing of the framework
4. Lead and coordinate, with support from the PMU and DOTr, the conduct of pilot testing of EVs for each identified LGU and relevant preparatory activities
5. Draft, finalize and synthesize results, summary, conclusions and provide recommendations, and enhance the framework as necessary

1. Formulate a capacity building framework and curriculum for the government agencies, LGUs and key stakeholders along the processes of green routes selection and approval

1. Together with the Field Technical Assistants, with support from the PMU, gather new and consolidate existing data, information and relevant sources from the project, LGUs, government agencies and other stakeholders to scope their capacity development needs
2. Draft and finalize the results of capacity needs assessment along the processes of green routes selection, evaluation, and approval and determine institutional needs
3. Based on the results of institutional and capacity needs assessment, design a capacity building framework that will equip the target stakeholders in the processes of green routes selection, evaluation, and approval to be implemented by an existing office in charge of transport, traffic, or planning, or a specific unit to be created to sustainably undertake LCT activities.
4. In crafting the capacity building framework, ensure a sustainable approach for the implementation, consider inclusiveness among the stakeholders to be capacitated and replicability to other LGUs, and include measurable indicators for the monitoring of capacity development interventions

1. In support of promoting EVs through an evidence-based approach, develop framework and guidelines on measuring, reporting and evaluating EV or alternative technologies

1. Facilitate meetings and consultations with government agencies including, but not limited to, DOTr, DTI, DOE and DOST, local government units, and other stakeholders to gather data and collect feedback in the course of the development
2. In developing the framework and guidelines, specify a clear stepwise approach on how to monitor and evaluate EV performance as well as the operational performance, with appropriate responsibilities among key players
3. Test the guidelines during at least one of the pilot tests of EVs for benchmarking and performance analysis, and enhance the guidelines as necessary, based on the results and feedback
4. In consideration of future directions, the guidelines should be designed in a way that it can be used as a reference document (or the data that it will contain/prescribe for collection) to inform the development/enhancement of EV technical standards and of a monitoring information system
5. Develop a decision-making criteria and tool to be utilized by the LGUs in adopting LCT.

1. Expected Output and Deliverables

1. Institutional Arrangement

The Transport Expert will work under the immediate supervision of and directly report to the Project Manager. The Transport Expert shall work closely with the Component Lead for Awareness and Institutional Development, Field Technical Assistants and Policy and Regulatory Officer in producing the identified deliverables and results for this engagement. During the assignment, the Transport Expert will work with the pilot LGUs and other project stakeholders (primarily among them the DOTr) in the execution of project activities.

1. Duration of Work

The expected duration of work is estimated to be for 60 days spread over 3 months. The target date for the start of work is October 2021 and completion date is January 2022.

1. Duty Station

The Transport Expert shall be based in Metro Manila. S/He will report to the UNDP and DOTr offices as needed, however, in light of current pandemic restrictions, telecommuting shall be the primary mode of working.

Travels outside of duty station are not planned or foreseen for this assignment, and in cases wherein the need for such shall arise, exceptional authorizations shall be secured from UNDP through the Project Manager and shall be endorsed to necessary government authorities when needed. Any costs associated with the travel shall likewise be reviewed and subject to approval of the Project Manager and shall be borne by the project. By default, prevailing national regulations concerning travel during the pandemic shall be observed.

[1] Based on the proposed senate bill SBN 1382, also known as Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act, green routes refer to public transportation routes created or identified by LGUs and approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to be exclusively traversed by electric public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

1. Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

The Transport Expert should have the following minimum qualifications:

Education:

• University degree in Transport Planning/Studies, Engineering, Social Sciences, or Economics. A master’s degree or PhD degree is an advantage, including any certifications on higher/continued learning/professional development.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of project management or implementation experience in the sustainable transport sector or urban planning.
• At least 3 years of experience in working with government agencies or local government units in the development/formulation of local public transport plans
• At least 3 years formulating capacity building plans on transport systems for LGUs and National Government Agencies
• At least 3 years of experience in undertaking transport-related studies and research

Language

• Fluent in English and Filipino

1. Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

This is a lump-sum approach. The lump sum amount must be “all inclusive” of expenses. The term “All inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in cost components. The consultant will be paid upon submission and acceptance of the outputs following the payment tranches.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested applicants must submit the following:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by 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 on how he/she will approach and complete the assignment. A sample of the work undertaken in the past is required upon submission of offer
4. 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 individual must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

Criteria of the Best Offer

The award of the contract will be made to the individual whose offer has been evaluated using a combined scoring method, where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a maximum of 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

The technical evaluation will be based on the criteria below. The offeror must reach the minimum technical score of 70 points in the technical qualification criteria to qualify and move on to the financial evaluation.

Offerors must upload in one (1) file the aforementioned documents.

Templates for a) P11 Personal History Form and b)  Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal (Annex 2) 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 the deadline of submissions above.

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

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You may apply directly here: https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=101003