Programme Description: Logistics consists of the planning, organisation, management, execution and control of freight transport operations. As such, it is a key contributor to climate change. The application of Green Logistics principles aims to achieve optimum performance expressed in cost, time or energy savings, thus reducing the negative environmental impacts of logistics (such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, noise, vibration and accidents) throughout a range of interventions along the chain.
The Green Logistics Programme (GLP or the Programme) prepared by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ("EBRD" or the "Bank") and the Global Environment Facility ("GEF") represents a strategic approach to decarbonize the logistics sector in a region that is still characterized by highly inefficient energy use. The proposed programme will support the private sector to introduce best practices through a facility of concessional finance to overcome barriers. In parallel, the Bank will undertake capacity building activities to accelerate the transfer of skills and support investors in the preparation and delivery of green logistics projects.
In particular, the capacity building activities of the Green Logistics Programme are organized in three components which will be undertaken as individual assignments:
1. Delivery of a professional training programme and qualification scheme certified by a leading international logistics body (Component A);
2. Development of a single transparent method of calculating emissions across global multi-modal logistics transport chains and application to GEF projects (Component B); and
3. Project support: Identification and implementation of green logistics opportunities and capacity building activities at the client level (Component C).
Component Description: Weak technical skills and capacity as well as poor general awareness among logistics professionals regarding the most effective ways of improving sustainability represent main barriers to the ‘greening’ of the logistics sector. In order to improve sustainability in logistics, the sector needs to have competent professionals with substantial up-to-date skills and technical knowledge, for which suitable education and training are currently lacking in the EBRD region.
This assignment will seek to raise the level of existing professional skills and qualifications among current and future logistics professionals regarding green logistics in the target countries that are part of the Green Logistics Programme. This will be achieved through the development and provision of a professional training programme and qualification scheme in three countries of the region. The logistics professionals will be exposed to the latest thinking in sustainable management of complex, international logistics and transport operations. The selection of pilot countries will be agreed between the executing partner and EBRD in relation to the level of current and potential EBRD investments in the transport and logistics sectors, and the programme might be adapted and tailored to the circumstances of each target country.
The content of the programme will include application of modern management techniques to the efficient and effective operation of supply chains, sustainable business models, well-organised transport and warehouse management, energy management, shared-value corporate responsibility and meaningful community engagement, etc. The differences between the strategic, tactical and operational aspects of green logistics management will also be covered in the course.
Assignment Description: The Bank's intends to engage a consultant (the "Consultant") to provide a curriculum on green logistics developed based on international best practice, tailor this to the specific requirements of a number of target countries and deliver pilot sessions of the training course (the Assignment). The Assignment is expected to transfer of skills on green logistics on a sustained basis through appropriate certification schemes in the countries where logistics constitutes one of the major bottlenecks for economic development. The skills are also likely to be spread to non-programme entities (e.g. newly hired graduates will bring their acquired knowledge on green logistics to their workplace).
The Consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1. Conduct initial outreach to relevant stakeholders (businesses, logistics professionals, students, professional associations, government bodies, vocational training institutions, CSOs and academia) in the target countries in order to better understand needs, expectations, requirements and constraints of the logistics employers; current available training provisions and capacities and ensure strong initial buy-in and commitment.
2. Provision of a one ‘model’ curriculum (the Programme) on green logistics developed based on international best practice (consisting of a number of ‘skills sets’ modules); translated to relevant local languages.
3. If appropriate, provide country-specific variations and versions in order to adapt the ‘model’ curriculum to competitive strengths/weaknesses of logistics sectors in each country; course material prepared.
4. Engage with relevant authorities and certification bodies to ensure that the training course and qualification are endorsed and officially certified.
5. Development of training materials for training of trainers (ToT).
6. Conducting ToT in selected training institutions in each of the target countries; and
7. Delivery of pilot sessions of the professional training course for the qualification of a number of trainees (entry-level and mid-level professionals in logistics companies) in the target countries by local training institutions.
The appropriate format will be designed by the consultant in consultation with the Bank. It might include a combination of: i) classroom-based teaching; ii) online module(s) or MOOCs and written assignments for independent learning; and/or iii) work-based or on-the-job learning module.
Status of Selection Process: Interested firms or group of firms are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest.
Assignment Start Date and Duration: The Assignment is expected to start in Q4 2016 and has an estimated overall duration of 24 months.
Maximum Budget available for the Assignment: EUR 175,000.00 (exclusive of VAT).
The consultant must determine whether any VAT would be chargeable on the services and the basis for that determination, without taking into consideration the Bank's special status as an IFI and state this to the Bank in their response to the Invitation for Expressions of Interest. To the extent that a consultant incurs input VAT on goods and services purchased in connection with the provision of services (e.g. VAT on airline ticket) which is not otherwise recoverable by the consultant from the local tax authority, the gross cost to the consultant of such expenses shall be treated as a reimbursable expense.
Funding Source: It is anticipated that the contract will be financed by the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund. Selection and contracting is subject to the availability of funding.
Eligibility: There are no eligibility restrictions.
Consultant Profile: Corporate services are required. The Consultant engaged to provide these services will preferably be either a training institution or professional body, internationally leading in the fields of Logistics and Transport and with green/sustainable logistics expertise. The Consultant will have substantial experience in at least three countries in the proposed Region (cf. p.1), as well as an established network of training providers and good knowledge of other local stakeholders in each country.
It is expected that the Consultant’s team shall contain, but not be limited to, the following individual Experts:
Expert in training facilitation, with preferably the following:
- Educated to degree level at least a BSc (or documented as equivalent) in a field relevant to their principle area of responsibility.
- 7 years of general professional experience.
- 5 years of professional experience in a role similar to that of their principle area of responsibility, preferably in relation to projects of similar size and scope.
Expert in logistics, with preferably the following:
- Educated to degree level at least BSc (or documented as equivalent) in a field relevant to their principle area of responsibility.
- 7 years of general professional experience.
- 5 years of professional experience in a role similar to that of their principle area of responsibility, preferably in relation to projects of similar size and scope.
Expert in environmental management, with preferably the following:
- Educated to degree level at least a BSc (or documented as equivalent) in a field relevant to their principle area of responsibility.
- 7 years of general professional experience.
- 5 years of professional experience in a role similar to that of their principle area of responsibility, preferably in relation to projects of similar size and scope.
Submission Requirements: In order to determine the capability and experience of Consultants to be shortlisted, the information submitted should include the following:
(a) brief overview of the firm/group of firms including company profile, organisation and staffing, as well as the understanding of the project (in less than 10 pages);
(b) details of similar experience of firm or group of firms and related assignments undertaken in the previous five years, including information on contract value, contracting entity/client, project location/country, duration (mm/yy to mm/yy), expert months provided, assignment budget, percentage carried out by consultant in case of association of firms or subcontracting, main activities, objectives;
(c) CVs of key experts who could carry out the Assignment detailing qualifications, experience in similar assignments, particularly assignments undertaken in the previous five years, including information on contracting entity/client, project location/country, duration (mm/yy to mm/yy), expert months provided, assignment budget, main activities, objectives.
(d) Completed Consultant Declaration and Contact Sheet, the template for which is available from the following web-link:
http://www.ebrd.com/pages/workingwithus/procurement/notices/csu/contact_sheet.doc
The expression of interest shall not exceed 20 pages (excluding CVs and contact sheet).
Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through eSelection, to reach the Bank not later than the closing date.
Important Notes:
1. The selection will normally be made from responses to this notification only. Consultants will not be asked to submit a proposal. The highest-ranked Consultant will be selected from a shortlist and be invited to negotiate the contract, subject to availability of funding.
2. Expressions of interested will be evaluated against the following criteria:
a. Firm’s previous experience in the delivery of training programmes of a comparable nature, scale and complexity to this Assignment (40%);
b. Firm’s previous experience in the logistics sector (30%);
c. CVs of the Key Experts proposed (30%).
EBRD Contact Person:
Viv Headlam
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
One Exchange Square
London EC2A 2JN
Tel: + 44 20 7338 6885
Fax: +44 20 7338 7451
E-mail: LewisheV@ebrd.com
