Consultants on Establishing a Regional Transport Information System (RTIS)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional arm of the United Nations that aims to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. Established in 1973, ESCWA works with member states to support their development efforts through research, policy analysis, and capacity-building initiatives. The organization focuses on various areas, including sustainable development, economic integration, and social justice, and operates in multiple countries across the Arab region.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position involves designing a comprehensive study that will serve as a blueprint for establishing a Regional Transport Information System (RTIS). This system is essential for collecting, harmonizing, validating, and visualizing transport data across multiple countries, thereby enabling evidence-based policy dialogue and progress reporting aligned with the United Nations' Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035). The consultant will be responsible for developing a Feasibility Study and Implementation Roadmap that will guide member states and regional bodies in monitoring and reporting on the Sustainable Transport Action Plan. The role requires a deep understanding of transport data systems and the ability to propose effective technical and institutional frameworks for the RTIS.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including: A) Conducting a Needs and Gap Assessment to map existing national transport data systems, identify gaps in data relative to the UN Decade’s monitoring framework, and assess reporting cycles in the region. B) Designing the Technical Architecture by proposing a federated or centralized data model, defining core indicators, specifying requirements for data validation and quality assurance, and recommending suitable platforms for data management. C) Establishing an Institutional and Governance Framework that outlines roles and responsibilities among regional hubs, national focal points, and technical working groups, as well as proposing data ownership and sharing agreements. D) Developing an Implementation Roadmap that includes a phased timeline with milestones, risks, and dependencies, along with a pilot testing approach involving 2-3 willing member states and integration with existing UN frameworks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in planning transport, data science, information systems, public policy, or a related field. Additionally, they must have at least 10 years of experience in transport data systems, regional integration projects, or monitoring and evaluation frameworks for sustainable transport. A strong understanding of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport and global transport indicators is desirable. Excellent writing skills are also required to effectively communicate findings and recommendations.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field such as planning transport, data science, information systems, or public policy is mandatory. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of their application, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in areas related to transport data systems, regional integration projects, or monitoring and evaluation frameworks for sustainable transport. This extensive experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of transport data and the institutional frameworks necessary for successful implementation of the RTIS.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required, as the report must be delivered in either of these languages. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations secretariat, making proficiency in these languages beneficial. Fluency is defined as being rated 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding, while 'knowledge of' is rated as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 2 months, and the position is remote. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Additionally, the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.