REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Name of Project: “Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation Phase 2” (TTFP)

Loan No: 94710-ME

Assignment Title: Transport Policy Expert

Reference No. MNE-WBTTFP-94710-IC-CS-24-4.2

December 30, 2024

The Government of Montenegro has received financing in the total amount of USD 15,000,000.00 (equivalent) from the World Bank, toward the costs of the “Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation Phase 2” (TTFP) project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan towards payment for Consulting services under the Contract for Individual Consultant: Transport Policy Expert

The Loan Agreement for the implementation of the Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (TTFP) under Multiphase Programmatic Approach (PHASE 2) in Montenegro (Project) was signed on 13 February 2023 and its closing date is 30 April 2028. The Project’s development objective is to reduce trade costs and increase transport efficiency in Montenegro. The key benefit will be more efficient processing of international trade and transport documentation for both traders and the administration. Such efficiencies will enhance the transparency of transactions and reduce duplications and overlaps. The envisaged significant cost savings are expected to result in lower transport costs, reductions in GHG emissions associated with the decrease in truck idling time, reduced administrative costs to trade, and finally in increased competitiveness on regional and global markets.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is the umbrella ministry under which the transport sector falls and will serve as the lead implementing body for the project and is responsible for forming and the recruitment of the PIU staff. The MoT and TTFP_Phase 2- PIU will be supported by the TSU of the Ministry of Finance in FM and procurement functions of the Project. In addition to MoT, there are several other beneficiaries of the Project:

a.       Ministry of Maritime Affairs

b.       the Customs Administration (CA);

c.       the border police under the Ministry of Interior;

d.       the Railway Infrastructure of Montenegro;

e.       the Port Authority of Bar, along with the Port of Bar.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) needs the technical services of the Transport Policy Expert who will be responsible to plan, monitor, control and give technical advice on all the Transport Policy related activities to ensure their incorporation in alignment with the international good practices.

The Transport Policy Expert will work closely with the Client/MoT, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the transport policy related activities of the project are managed efficiently both technically and in compliance with the objectives of the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), the Project's Legal Agreement and Financing Agreement, and the Project Operations Manual. The Transport Policy Expert, always aligned with the Project Menager and in collaboration with the other Project staff, shall interact and liaise with different ministries through their focal points, units and agencies and also a number of other external bodies, contractors, consultants, World Bank, partners, and other agencies in the Western Balkans at the same time. Creativity, initiative, analytical capacity and team work are therefore required to cope with such diverse demands and actors, which makes working experience in the Region desirable and similar working experience on an international transport policy operation is desirable. The main challenge is to ensure that the contractors/consultants produce an acceptable quality of work within the budget allowances and time, so that the objectives of the Project are achieved. This will be done in close cooperation with the Project Manager, the contractors and consultants, and other agencies involved in the preparing the transport policy (as described in the Project Operation Manual).

The Transport Policy Expert – shall be engaged to implement and follow the Projects activities on a full-time or part-time daily basis (working days, from Monday to Friday). Upon negotiations, the contract will be signed for a period of 1 year with the possibility of renewal till the end of the project implementation (April 30, 2028). The consultancy is expected to start not later than in January, 2025 and includes an initial probation period of 3 months. Successful management of the project requires a dynamic person, with excellent communication skills, who is ready to work in a team and contribute to a positive team spirit.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained upon request at the e-mail address given below.

The ‘’MoT’’ through the ‘’Technical Service Unit’’, now invites eligible individual consultants (“Consultant”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that have required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. (CV, description of similar assignments performed, experience in similar conditions, letters of recommendation, etc.). Individual consultants may be offered through the firms or other organizations, but the only qualifications of the Individual Consultant will be the basis of selection. Contract will be signed with proposed individuals.

Mandatory qualification criteria, and only those candidates who met these criteria may be considered for the evaluation process:

• University Diploma in law, transport engineering or any relevant discipline;
• Relevant experience in transport sector;
• Written and spoken fluency in English and Montenegrin is essential;
• Computer skills MS Office (Excel Word Power Point), Internet, and database;
• At least 5 years of professional experience related to policy making in transport sector;
• Experience in drafting policy, strategic documents, laws, bylaws and guidelines;
• Experience related to EU transport development, strategic planning and pre-accession policies and procedures including but not limited to European transport strategies, sustainable transport, transport infrastructure and investment in transport;
• Previous experience of working with international financial institutions and donors on similar projects.

Evaluation criteria: 

Additionally, ‘’MoT’’ may decide to conduct an interview with shortlisted candidates in order to additionally verify required qualifications of candidates.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 11.1; 3.21 - 3.24; 3.14; 3.16; 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Issued in July 2016, Revised November 2017, August 2018, and November 2020. setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method (IC) set out in the above-mentioned Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the e-mail address below.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form, only by e-mail to the address below and in subject must clearly indicate project name, subject number: (Transport Policy Expert /MNE-WBTTFP-94710-IC-CS-24-4.2.)

The deadline for submission is January 15, 2025. 10: 00h.

Ministry of Finance /Technical Service Unit

Attention: Mr. Zoran Mijović, Senior Procurement officer Street Address: Studentska 2 A Floor I

City: 81000 Podgorica Country: Montenegro Telephone: + 382 20 201 695

E-mail: zoran.mijovic@mif.gov.me