Assessment of the level of integration of cold chains into Inland Waterway Transportation (IWT), based on a case study along Lake Victoria

Result of Service

Ultimately, this assignment will conclude with a validated assessment report on the integration of the cold chains in multi-modal transportation along the Lake Victoria. This result will be achieved following a consultative process with key stakeholders including but not limited to experts from the Northern Corridor, Central Corridors, ECA, Private sector operating along Lake Victoria and government officials from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. At the end of the assignment the consultant will have produced the following deliverables: • Inception report including methodologies, detailed work plan, and outline of all the documents to be produced under this assignment • Inventory of key goods and commodities shipped through Lake Victoria that require cold storing • Draft assessment report of the integration of cold chain in IWT along Lake Victoria • Workshops (webinar) to validate the readiness assessment report • Final assessment report integrating comments and inputs from ECA, corridors and experts from target countries

Work Location

Kigali

Expected duration

3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

A. Background: The lakes and waterways of East Africa that provide the greatest expanse of inland water in the tropics represent untapped potential for transport and logistics. Countries in East Africa have recognized this potential and have been reviving the inland waterway transport (IWT) sector to meet the rising demand for transport and logistics and support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Historically, inland waterways that include lakes, rivers and canals, both natural and artificial, played a vital role in logistics and transportation and contributed significantly to economic growth. Over time, however, many governments shifted their focus to developing rail and road networks, resulting in not only the underinvestment in waterways infrastructure but also the high cost of transport in the region which negatively affects other productive sectors including intraregional trade and tourism. As road networks become increasingly congested, polluted and accident-prone, and as world leaders call for sustainable transportation that considers the health and well-being of people and the environment, inland waterway transport (IWT) has received renewed attention. In this regard, Assessment of the level of integration of cold chains into Inland Waterway Transportation (IWT), based on a case study along Lake Victoria should be done to uncover aspects that need attention to enhance intra-Africa. B.Duties and responsibilities: The Consultant will be responsible for the collection and analysis of data on the integration of cold chains in transportation activities along lake Victoria. Specific tasks include the following: • Undertake preliminary desk review on the status of IWT in Eastern Africa including ongoing regional and national initiatives for the integration of cold chains in multi-modal transportation along the transport corridors • Organize consultations with key stakeholders including but not limited to ports authorities, shippers, traders, customs authorities, transport standardization authorities, manufacturers, farmers, fisherpersons, transport authorities etc to collect data on cold chain along Lake Victoria • Undertake field visit to Lake Victoria to assess the readiness for the integration of cold chain in multi-modal transportation along the Lake Victoria (central corridor or northern corridor) • Draft the readiness assessment report • Review the initial draft report to integrate comments and inputs from ECA, corridors and experts from target countries • Support ECA to organize

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, statistics, international trade, or development studies or related area is required. A first level university degree in a combination of additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree. seven years of experience in the trade and logistics development, trade, and logistics facilitation, and economic and trade analysis is required. Extensive research experience (data collection, analysis and reporting) in the area of trade and regional integration is required. Experience in multimodal transport including inland waterways transportation is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this consultancy, Fluency in English is required. The knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.