Consultant in Railway Development and Planning

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, the UNOPS Afghanistan office supports national reconstruction and development efforts by providing projects with goods and services - from stand-alone, one-off solutions to long-term management and capacity development support.  Based in Kabul, UNOPS Afghanistan has regional offices in most part of the country. The team implements projects in support of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, in a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, education, environment and agriculture, and governance and rule of law.

In 2013, UNOPS Afghanistan was transformed into an operational hub and now covers Pakistan and Iran. We are strategically positioned to support important regional interventions necessary for transportation networks, security, trade and economy in the region.

Under the above mentioned item (K), the Donor has asked UNOPS to support the Afghan Railways Authority (AfRA) in preparing a feasibility study for the rail connection between Mashad in Iran and Herat in Afghanistan, as part of a vast and ambitious plan for developing rail connections within Afghanistan and with the neighboring countries. The results of the feasibility study would be part of the dossier needed for obtaining a soft loan from the Donor.

In order to assisting AfRA and the Transport Sector Portfolio in preparing the Terms of Reference for the Feasibility Study and supervising the steps the selected firm would have to undertake for preparing it, UNOPS is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Consultant in Railway Development and Planning.

The Consultant in Railway Development and Planning (CRDP) works under the overall guidance and supervision of the International Transport Sector Portfolio (TSP) Deputy Programme Manager and the UNOPS/AFOH Head of Programme. For the Mashad to Herat Railway, he/she is responsible for reviewing the AfRA Feasibility Study for Railway viability, design and development, for preparing a final report needed to AfRA for submitting to the Italian Donor the request for a soft loan. The soft loan has been already discussed in general terms by the relevant Afghan and Italian authorities, but needs to be justified in terms of viability, sustainability, impact, resilience, technical specifications and related costs.

AfRA has already prepared a study that would be the starting point of the CRDP’s work.

Specific responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• In conjunction with the AfRA, review previous proposals and recommendations prepared by AfRA itself and by consultants working within the railroad sector, with regard to the development of the Iran – Afghanistan connection.

• In conjunction with AfRA, discuss with the Donor the contents and conditions of the soft loan, and prepare recommendations for the route to be followed and the items to be covered under the soft loan.

In the final 10 days of the assignment:

• Technically assess the final Study and discuss with AfRA and the Donor the way forward.

• Support the AfRA in defining the project proposal to be submitted to the Donor.

The CRDP will assist the TSP in all activities related to TSP functioning with specific relation to:

• Preparing proposals for new projects and plans for the implementation of ongoing activities.

• Liaise with Contractor and monitor activities both for quantity and quality.

• Define quality assurance plan, risks management plan, donors relation plan.

• Implement quality control activities.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The CRDP shall ensure that:

• The AfRA and the Donor are provided with regular updates with regard to the current status of the assignment.

• All the findings and recommendations are closely coordinated with the relevant AfRA authorities.

Final Product 

The CRDP shall provide:

• A final and definitive Feasibility Study that meets the requirement for the Soft Loan process.

• Final Report containing the mission findings, recommendations and costs related to the construction of the rail connecting Mashhad to Herat and the development of the AfRA manning and capacity building. The Report shall include, but will not be limited to, details regarding the CRDP’s meetings and discussions held with various project stakeholders.

The Feasibility Study and Final Report shall be reviewed and endorsed by the key project stakeholders including AfRA, the Donor and UNOPS. 

Key Competencies

• Understanding of UNOPS business, operational environment and its clients

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

• Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational), including ability to present sensitive issues/positions and to write reports and technical decisions quantitatively justified

• Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement

• Proficiency in usage of computers and office software packages. Good working knowledge of MS Office application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio), email and able to easily navigate Internet

• University Degree in Civil Engineering or Railway construction disciplines with focus on railway viability, design, management, operations and maintenance. Similarly, a University Degree in a relevant field with an additional 2 years of relevant experience;
• A Technical/Professional Diploma with an additional 5 years’ experience may be accepted in lieu of the Degree requirement
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in planning, developing, managing and/or operating railways infrastructure and services.
• Previous experience in providing consultancy service related to the development of  railway sector and infrastructure is desirable
• Fluency in both written and oral English is essential. Knowledge of Italian language would be an advantage.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits.
Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.