The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the world’s environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the environment.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Global Working Group for Electric Buses, the consultant will develop the “Emergent Trolleybuses: The potential for trolleybus technology in Low- and Middle-income cities” technical report through conducting the following specific tasks:

• Develop an overview of trolleybus development in different regions, including Low- and Middle-income (LMI) cities, and develop a status quo review of trolleybus vehicle technology (hybrid, battery), infrastructure (pantograph, wiring, In motion charging), and operations (network structure, ridership, intermodality);
• Develop an evaluation of the opportunities for trolleybus use cases in LMI cities, including major trends related to public transport reform agendas, Bus Rapid Transit project pipelines, electrification targets, and others, as well as a comparison to Battery Electric Buses, including lifecycle emissions, cost, technical and operational aspects;
• Compile an assessment of the challenges that may be faced to develop and operate trolleybuses in LMI cities, including technical, operational, financial, social/acceptability and supply-chain related barriers;
• Develop at least three in-depth case studies of existing projects in different regions that highlight relevant use cases for trolleybuses in LMI cities, covering the context (geographic, demographic), landscape (political, economic, policy, history), system structure (actors, institutions, policy rationale, intermediaries), operating characteristics (routes, ridership, costs, vehicles) and lessons that have been learned for the next iteration;
• Perform a high-level technical, operational, and financial analysis of at least 3 potential use cases of trolley buses as an alternative to currently planned pure battery electric bus systems;
• Perform an analysis of the existing and potential use cases, comparing the schemes in different operational contexts, and offer guidelines or recommendations on how LMI cities may be able to develop trolleybus projects;
• Compile 1. to 6. into one “Emergent Trolleybuses: The potential for trolleybus technology in Low- and Middle-income cities” technical report and develop an executive summary based on the findings.
• Presentation of the “Emergent Trolleybuses: The potential for trolleybus technology in Low- and Middle-income cities” technical report to the Global Working Group and incorporation of their feedback into the final product;
• Development of a slide deck and recorded presentation of the “Emergent Trolleybuses: The potential for trolleybus technology in Low- and Middle-income cities” technical report for use during meetings of the Regional Support and Investments Platforms and other education or training opportunities.

Qualifications/special skills

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, engineering, transport or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years’ work experience in transport projects in Lower- and Middle-Income cities is required
• Knowledge on electric mobility issues including the operational and technical aspects of electric buses or trolleybuses is required
• Experience in data collection and research is required
• Data analysis and modelling skills and experience are required
• Experience in report development including visualization tools is desirable.
• Proven analytical, presentation and communication skills are desirable

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.