Private Sector Development Officer (NPSA8)

In the Philippines, the transportation sector accounts for almost 37% of total national energy consumption, with road transport constituting around 80% of this share. Moreover, the sector is one of the fastest growing consumers of fossil fuels and thus, source of CO2 emissions. Rapid urbanization has also led to greater demand for road-based vehicles and urban transport services, resulting in higher CO2 emissions in cities.

In the past decades, transport planning models adopted by the Philippines, as other Asian countries, prioritized the movement of motorized vehicles to facilitate the growing demand for mobility of passengers and goods. Thus, it is not surprising that urban and inter-regional transport options at present are primarily road-based, such as buses, cars, motorcycles and tricycles, jeepneys, and utility vehicles. Consequently, the demand for road-based transport modes remains high, with new vehicle registrations increasing at an average of six percent between 2017 and 2019.  This is contributing to the worsening traffic situation and air pollution particularly in Metro Manila and its adjacent regions, which account for over one-third of registered (predominantly fossil fuel-based) motor vehicles.

Meanwhile, much-needed investments to develop sustainable mass transit systems and infrastructure supporting non-motorized transport (such as walking and cycling) are lacking. An effective transport network that incorporates all sustainable transport modes is critical in reducing CO2 emissions, and essential to any city’s economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability.

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), supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), aims to create an enabling environment for the commercialization of low carbon urban transport systems. The Project has three components:

• 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 system in the country

Ensure strategic management and oversight of project delivery under Component 3:

• Provide day-to-day financial and administrative support for the delivery of the project’s activities under Component 3
• Prepare life of project, annual work plans and individual work plan for Component 3, working closely with the other Components
• Prepare TORs for special studies, consultants, and sub-contractors to carry out the activities specified in the work plan
• Lead the implementation of the project's Private Sector Development Plan
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of action plans to identify and resolve issues on financial delivery towards the full and optimal utilization of project funds
• Identify Component 3 project issues, challenges and risks, and implement appropriate recommendations
• Provide inputs to progress monitoring reports (e.g., donor reports), activity designs, briefing papers, technical reports, meeting documentation, situation updates, official correspondences, M&E documents, and other documentation as may be required in implementing Component 3 activities
• Organize and participate in policy-related workshops, needs assessments, consultations, planning sessions and provide technical inputs as may be necessary
• Undertake communication assignments such as writing of articles, press releases, development of knowledge products and other related activities and disseminating these to the appropriate networks
• Ensure that private sector development initiatives of the project are provided to the Communications Officer for dissemination

Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordinate with key counterparts including UNDP, DOTr, other national government agencies, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure quality assurance of outputs and deliverables
• Coordinate and cooperate with government, CSO networks, and private sector for the effectively communication of the strategic goals of the project
• Establish, develop, and maintain strategic partnerships with private sector, universities, research groups, civil society and community groups, vehicle associations, the press and media, the business sector, etc.
• Link with other similar UNDP projects to explore opportunities for collaboration and complementation

Oversee the successful implementation of the Project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support the development of the Low Carbon Transport Masterplan
• Ensure that activities relevant to private sector development and investment promotion are undertaken according to the workplan
• Based on the approved work plan, develop and/or provide inputs to suitable partnership agreements and project activity designs related to Component 3
• Monitor the implementation of partnership agreements and project activities related to Component 3
• Monitor physical and financial delivery deadlines of Component 3 activities and implement remedial measures to address bottlenecks

Monitor the progress of project deliverables under Component 3:

• Ensure delivery within scope, time, and budget of work and results under Component 3, using an adaptive management approach
• Manage contracts, ensuring goods and services are delivered on time and meeting agreed quality standards
• Disseminate, solicit feedback, and initiate review of outputs and deliverables among DOTr, UNDP, and other counterparts
• Collate and consolidate feedback from DOTr, UNDP, and other counterparts
• Ensure timely reporting and provide technically sound feedback to Component 3 consultants’ work and results

Facilitate knowledge building and management:

• Identify sources of information related to project implementation
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project
• Pursue and maintain an effective knowledge network with development partners and government at national and subnational levels
• Participate in and contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

2030 Agenda: Planet 

• Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate change mitigation: concepts and application

Business Management 

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Development 

• Knowledge facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

• Master’s degree or post-graduate education in public policy/administration, project management, urban/city/regional planning, transport/infrastructure, sustainable development, economics or related fields  
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration/management, economics, entrepreneurship, urban/city/regional planning, transportation, infrastructure, electrical/mechanical engineering, environment studies, development studies, public administration, social sciences, development communications, project management or related fields

• 2 years of experience in designing, planning, managing, coordinating or implementing development programmes and projects at the national or international level
• Prior experience in transportation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable/low carbon development or climate mitigation projects
• Relevant technical experience in working with transport private sector (e.g., transport cooperatives, PUV operators) and technology industries, at a company and association level
• Prior experience with UN/UNDP or other multilateral, bilateral or non-government development organizations

Language requirement:

• Fluency in English (oral and written) with excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills

Note: This position is open for Philippines nationals only