VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Issued on 10 May 2022

Functional title: Expert for Mobility Assessment – in support of the poly-centric Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (Poly-SUMP) for the municipalities of Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposavic
Duty station: Zubin Potok/ Zvecan/ Leposavic and home office
Contract type: Consultancy Assignment (IC)
Duration of assignment: 40 working days over the period May-July 2022
Closing date for applications: 19 May 2022

Background

UN-Habitat has been actively assisting Kosovo institutions in the field of governance, spatial planning, and municipal administration since 1999. Building on the results and tools generated by the Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme (implemented from 2005 to 2016), UN-Habitat is now implementing the Inclusive Development Programme (2016-2022), which aims to provide a strategic, comprehensive package of support to build municipal planning and management capacities, strengthen the social contract and social cohesion, and enhance coordination within a framework of inter-municipal cooperation and multi-level governance to foster inclusive development and good governance in northern Kosovo. The Programme is financed by the Swedish Development Cooperation and is jointly implemented with PAX, Community Building Mitrovica, New Social Initiative, and concerned local authorities in Leposavic/Leposaviq, Mitrovica South, Mitrovica North, Zubin Potok, and Zvecan/Zvecan as well as Skenderaj/Srbica and Vushtrri/Vucitrn.

Within the implementation framework of the Inclusive Development Programme in Zubin Potok, Zvecan, and Leposavic, UN-Habitat supports the drafting of the Polycentric Regional Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (Poly-SUMP). This activity will draw on local and international expertise for drafting the Poly-SUMP for Zubin Potok, Zvecan, and Leposavic, during its 3rd (Situation Analysis/Assessment) and 4th (Concept proposal – Development of framework) phases. For more general information on UN-Habitat in Kosovo, refer to the website: http://www.unhabitat-kosovo.org

General Scope of the Assignment

The expert will assist in preparing the Poly-SUMP for the municipalities of Zubin Potok, Zvecan, and Leposavic considering the following parameters:

• Defining the target geographical area for poly-SUMP development, addressing the regional municipal and urban transport system.
• Reviewing the current mobility situation of motorized (private vehicles, freight, and public transport) and non-motorized (pedestrian and cycling) transport networks, physical condition, accessibility, efficiency, safety, and congestion. The expert should assess data from field traffic recording and pedestrian and cyclist counting, surveys and questionnaires, existing studies, investment plans and documentation, all spatial planning documents (new and old), as well as additional preparatory work being undertaken by municipal institutions and private operators, the estimated population and employment by areas until 2030, demographic & socio-economic data.
• Reviewing the legal framework (central and local strategies, plans, etc.) and make sure that these are considered for implementing an efficient mobility strategy at the study area level. It is expected that this will include a dedicated department to increase inter cooperation and to coordinate studies and investment in major transport infrastructure, organizing public transport networks, defining public service obligations, and contracting public transport services.
• Compiling general development scenarios through participatory processes. Evaluating development scenarios (assessing risks and benefits in terms of financial, environmental, and social sustainability) and consultation of development scenarios with groups of interest.
• Developing a mobility plan proposal for the Municipality of Zubin Potok, Zvecan, and Leposavic, including goals and objectives, by providing an integrated mobility network, increased road and public safety (especially for women, children, students, and elderly), better accessibility (for people with physical disabilities) and convenience for public transport and non-motorized transport (walking and cycling), efficiency in transport service provision, multi-modal transport options, decreased congestion, comprehensive parking policy, and increased attractiveness (i.e., good roads, junctions, sideways, squares, green areas, bus stops, shading, lighting and other street furniture design). Considering key findings from SUMP for municipalities of Mitrovica South and Mitrovica North and draft and integrating proposal in line with the poly-SUMP methodology.
• Consulting the final proposal for the development concept of the Poly-SUMP with the stakeholders.
• Developing the selected Poly-SUMP alternative, including policy on the hierarchy of the roads, one-way systems, heavy traffic itineraries, exclusive right of way for public transport, itineraries for pedestrians and cyclists on the road network and independent paths and shortcuts, street regeneration, intersection rearrangement, new or modified traffic light equipment, traffic control implementation or overhaul involving public transport priority at traffic lights, on-street parking regulations, and suggest various TMS (Traffic Management System) and/or ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) components.
• Developing a municipal and inter-municipal plan of activities (with clear priorities), indicators and targets, and consultation with the groups of interest.
• Completion of the Poly-SUMP document, including the activity plan.

Goals and Objectives

Polycentric Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan represents sustainable mobility planning in polycentric regions – areas characterized by several centers, where services and goods, and therefore transport needs, are scattered in different towns.

The Poly-SUMP of Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Leposavic aims to improve connectivity by making its mobility system inter-connected, easily accessible, and more efficient and reliable. Its main goal is to improve urban sustainability and environmental quality by reducing air and noise pollution and energy consumption. Further objectives include improving the quality of life, social equity, intermodal integration, economic viability, and urban attractiveness of Zubin Potok, Zvecan, and Leposavic by ensuring that all people, businesses, and other affected parties are involved and benefit from this process. The specific goal is to provide solutions for more effective connectedness of partner municipalities of Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposavic.

Poly-SUMP of Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Leposavic addresses:

• All forms and modes of transport
• Motorized transport: automobiles, buses, light commercial vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, and motorcycles
• Non-motorized transport: walking and cycling
• Public transport
• Movement and parking
• Traffic safety and security
• Needs and priorities of all stakeholders (public and private)
• Socio-economic efficiency

Reduction of pollution, congestion, and use of waste resources (energy, gas).

Methodology
The methodology of drafting Poly-SUMP for  Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Leposavic is based on a literature review of international best practices, a review of EU and UN-Habitat’s guidelines, a review of mobility-related legislation and local plans and policies, city to city exchange, identification of stakeholders, assessment of the current local mobility conditions (through motorized and non-motorized traffic counting and surveys), identification of problems, participatory visioning, and goal setting, and identification of related implementing agencies and their duties.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The start of the consultancy is scheduled for May 2022, and the last deliverable must be submitted before the end of July 2022. This consultancy should include but not be limited to the following list of activities:

Deliverables 

During the assignment, the Consultant will deliver the following documents:

1. Assessment Report on the findings from the traffic counting data for Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposavic.
2. Assessment Report on the main findings from the population survey data for Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposavic.
3. Assessment Report on the main findings from the central/legal framework data.
4. Workshop summary and preliminary suggestions (to be included in the products into the Poly-SUMP.
5. Draft Poly-SUMP proposal for the Municipalities of Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Leposavic a with comments and suggestions included from the municipal officials and other stakeholders.
6. The final proposal of the Poly-SUMP for the municipalities of Zubin Potok, Zvecan and  Leposavic.

The exact timing of the deliveries will be determined during the assignments.

The work shall be performed from Prishtina/Pristina with travel to the selected municipalities. Transport to and from work will be the employee’s responsibility. Travel to other municipalities than the duty station will be covered by the project.

Duty Station

The work shall be performed from UN-Habitat premises located in the municipalities of  Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Leposavic and home office.

Progress controls and payment installments

The fees will be paid in installments upon completion and acceptance of the outputs as specified in section Final Deliverables above. A timesheet must be submitted by the individual contractor, duly approved by the Head of Office, which shall serve as the basis for the payment of fees. The payment amount will be based on actual days worked for that period.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Communication: Excellent and effective written and oral skills; ability to persuade people with varying points of view and to present information concisely and accurately, ability to clearly communicate links between the organizations. Promotes a learning and knowledge shared environment. Excellent mentoring and training skills. Planning and Organizing: Proven ability to plan, coordinate and monitor own work and that of others. Ability to work under pressure and uses time efficiently. Identifies priority activities and assignments and adjust priorities as required. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by valuing others ideas and expertise and is willing to learn from others. Functional Competencies: Preferably a minimum of five years’ experience in the field of (traffic engineering, traffic management and traffic control) particularly in Poly-SUMP. Experience in managing the parking policy in cities. Experience in the planning of public transport networks. Understanding of the principles underpinning sustainable mobility planning. Demonstrates strong quantitative skills and the ability to carry out high-quality research, including statistical analysis. Possesses the ability to think strategically and formulate a development framework addressing Mobility. Ability to review and evaluate and provide suitable and strong analytical feedback. Having already led an external expert team on one or several projects in the transport and urban mobility planning field is an asset.

Qualifications and requirements

Education and experience

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in traffic engineering or related fields;
• Specialized training in the area of mobility management.
• At least 10 years of practical experience of working experience, considerable knowledge of sustainable planning, and the ability to communicate results of research findings and undertake on-the-job training and seminars. Previous projects or research related to the field of sustainable urban planning, and transport management, particularly regarding EU requirements in this field;
• Ability to work in a team and to undertake the initiative to ensure smooth relations and open communication within the team and with partners;
• Good analytical, solution defining, and creative skills;
• Previous experience from the South East Europe region would be an added value;
• It is essential that the candidate be able to meet deadlines for reporting and all project work.

Language

• English is the working language of UN-Habitat Kosovo Office; a very good command of English and Serbian is required – reading, writing, and speaking;

Special considerations

The candidate should be:

• Willing to take responsibility, act professionally at all times, and make sure tasks are fully completed;
• Be willing to work across the entire partner stakeholder’s geographical area, including temporary placements at other field offices;
• Sensitive to gender issues and issues of concern to vulnerable groups;
• Flexible and prepared to pursue goals through teamwork;
• Able to meet deadlines for reporting and all project work;
• Express enthusiasm and willingness to continue learning new skills and share experiences with other members of the team;
• Able to adapt to a multi-ethnic environment.