Consultant for Safe Road Design Manuals

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) is dedicated to improving road safety globally, particularly in regions where vulnerable road users are at high risk. Established to address the critical issues surrounding road safety, the UNRSF aims to foster collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, to enhance road safety measures. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on regions such as North and West Africa, where road safety remains a pressing concern. The UNRSF's mission is to promote safe and inclusive road design practices that protect all road users, especially those most at risk, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Through its initiatives, the UNRSF seeks to align local practices with international best practices and standards, thereby contributing to the global goal of reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a pivotal role in leading the development of three application manuals that focus on safe road design practices. This position is crucial in addressing the ongoing road safety challenges faced in North and West Africa, particularly for vulnerable road users. The consultant will be responsible for assessing existing road design policies and standards in the focal countries of Mauritania, Morocco, and Senegal, and will work towards integrating inclusive practices into road design. The project aims to bridge the gaps between current practices and the UN Global Road Safety Performance Targets, ensuring that road design standards are updated to reflect international best practices. The consultant will also facilitate stakeholder consultations and ensure that the manuals developed are practical, context-appropriate, and widely accepted by relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties and responsibilities include:

• Identifying and characterizing the intended users of each manual, such as designers, reviewers, road authorities, contractors, and auditors, while clarifying use cases across the project lifecycle.
• Reviewing and documenting the current state of road design practices in each focal country, identifying gaps and challenges related to safe road design.
• Analyzing regional and international best practices in safe road design and assessing their applicability to the national contexts of the focal countries.
• Proposing the overall concept, structure, and editorial approach for each manual, including chapter outlines and design logic.
• Drafting the application manuals, translating best practices into clear guidance supported by examples and decision-support tools.
• Preparing and participating in structured review meetings with stakeholders to present draft manuals and collect feedback.
• Revising the manuals based on stakeholder feedback and supporting the validation and approval process.
• Delivering final approved versions of the manuals along with any supporting materials to facilitate their uptake and use.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering, Road Safety Engineering, or a closely related field with a strong focus on road design and applied road safety engineering. Additionally, candidates must have at least 10 years of demonstrated professional experience in road safety engineering and safe road design, including the development and implementation of road design standards and manuals. Proven experience in drafting comprehensive technical guidance related to road design and safety audits is also required, along with demonstrated experience working with governments and multi-stakeholder processes. Familiarity with regional or national approval processes in Africa is essential.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering, Road Safety Engineering, or a closely related field is required. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of their application, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in road safety engineering and safe road design. This experience should include the development and implementation of road design standards and manuals, with a proven focus on vulnerable road users. Experience in drafting technical guidance and working with governmental and multi-stakeholder processes is essential, as is familiarity with the regional context in Africa.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations secretariat. Knowledge of English and Arabic is desirable, with English being a good-to-have language for effective communication within the organization.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and is expected to last for 5.5 months. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Candidates should be aware that the UN does not request information regarding applicants’ bank accounts.