Individual Consultant: Consultancy to a Regional Institutional Framework for the Deployment of Inter-Operable CNS/ATM Systems

Job Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

2.1 Global objective

The global objective is to develop a Regional Institutional Framework for the deployment of inter-operable CNS/ ATM Systems towards achieving a Regional Seamless Upper Airspace in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) region focusing on the current status of the three Result Areas of the SATSD Programme.

2.2 Specific objective(s)

The specific objectives of the assignment include the following:

1. Undertake an assessment of the existing regional institutional and legal frameworks and their capacity to support the deployment of interoperable CNS/ATM systems in the EA-SA-IO region.

1. Undertake an assessment of the current status of ICAO ASBU framework implementation within MS in the EA-SA-IO region with a particular focus on Performance Improvement Area 2: Globally Interoperable Systems and Data through System Wide Information Management.

• Develop a mechanism to facilitate establishment of interoperable CNS/ ATM Systems within the region.

1. Develop a regional policy, rules, procedures and regulation for coordinated implementation of ICAO ASBU framework in Member States within the EA-SA-IO region in accordance with the AFI Air Navigation and Global Air Navigation Plans.

2.3 Requested services including suggested methodology

Specifically, the expert will review the status of the air transport sector focusing on but not limited to the following aspects:

1. Infrastructure
2. Legal and institutional framework
3. Skills gap/Training requirements
4. Performance Based Navigation (PBN) implementation plans
5. Airline equipage
6. State Safety Programme/ Safety management
7. ICAO AFI and Global air navigation plans.

The main tasks include but not limited to the following: -

1. Review all the relevant documents provided by the Programme including the programme description of action, the Log frame and any other source documents deemed necessary to complete the assignment.

1. Develop the methodology to undertake the assignment and submit to the Programme Management Unit for review and approval by the COMESA Infrastructure and Logistics Division.

• Review outcomes of the baseline study to establish the status of implementation of the ICAO Aviation System Block Upgrade (ASBU) and available regional institutional/ legal frameworks within the region that could be used to facilitate the deployment of inter-operable CNS/ATM Systems.

1. Review national air navigation plans of Member States within the region to establish the status of implementation of the ICAO Aviation System Block Upgrade (ASBU) framework in accordance with the AFI and Global Air Navigation Plans.

1. Formulate a regional institutional framework and appropriate enablers that will facilitate the deployment of interoperable CNS/ ATM Systems within the EA-SA-IO region.

1. Develop concept of operation and scenarios to support adoption of the regional institutional framework for deployment of inter-operable CNS/ ATM Systems within the EA-SA-IO region.

• Review programme results framework and log frame to refine and adapt programme indicators and/or programme targets based on the findings to allow effective monitoring of implementation status.

• Prepare a final report with an in-depth analysis of the outcomes of the baseline study, assignment objectives, methodology, key findings, and recommendations.

1. Conduct workshops with Member States to validate the developed regional Institutional Framework for deployment of interoperable CNS/ ATM Systems within the EA-SA-IO region.

1. Prepare and submit report on the outcomes of the validation workshop which should include key findings and recommendations among others.

In carrying out the above assignment, the consultant is expected to adopt a consultative approach that involves the following:

• Descriptive and analytic Desk Reviews.
• In-depth interviews with Member/Partner States (Ministries/departments and agencies involved in Air Transport) in consultation with COMESA, EAC, IGAD, IOC and SADC Secretariats.
• The interviews may be face to face and/virtual. A standard questionnaire will be designed and discussed with COMESA during the inception phase on behalf of the other four RECs.
• It is expected that the consultant will consult all Member/Partner States virtually during the course of this assignment, being facilitated by the PMU staff at the COMESA Secretariat. The findings of the Consultants will be validated through a regional workshop that will be attended by a number of stakeholders (COMESA, EAC, IOC, IGAD, SADC, Member/Partner States, EU and other stakeholders).

• The day-to-day management of the Consultant’s work will be coordinated and supervised by COMESA Infrastructure and Logistics Division through the Programme Management Unit.
• The SATSD Programme Team Leader will address all day-to-day technical issues relating to the study. COMESA Infrastructure and Logistics Division will provide regular oversight role in particular on the progress of the assignment.
• COMESA will coordinate and manage the missions to Member/Partner States and will be responsible for all protocols related to experts travel and their contacts with Member/Partner States in liaison with the other RECs.

2.4 Deliverables

The document to be produced should meet all conditions specified in 2 above. The deliverables of the assignment should include:

1. Inception Report
2. Draft Final Report

• Final Report

• Inception Report

The consultant shall prepare an Inception Report outlining the strategy and detailed workplan for fulfilling the Terms of Reference (ToRs). This shall include a comprehensive list of key documents for review, list of stakeholders to consult and a proposed schedule for stakeholder consultations (in Member/Partner States and REC Secretariats), methods of data collection and analysis. The Inception Report will be presented to COMESA, fifteen (15) days after commencement of assignment. The Inception Report shall be discussed with and approved by COMESA as the Lead REC for the SATSD Programme.

• Draft final Report

The consultant shall submit a Draft Final Report within Ninety (90) days after Inception The report will bring out results on all aspects highlighted under section 2.3, providing details and relationships among them including annexes to clearly guide the readers. The Consultant will be expected to share their draft report with COMESA in an agreed format for preliminary review and validation. Furthermore, the consultant is expected to participate and present the findings and recommendations at agreed technical and policy platforms to discuss and validate the report.

• Final Report

The final report will be submitted within fourteen (14) days after receiving comments from Member/Partner States and the RECs. The Report will comprise an Executive Summary, main body (methodology, key findings, and recommendations) and relevant Annexes. The final report will be submitted together with the validation Workshop Report.

• TIMELINES
• Commencement Date and Period of Implementation

The assignment shall be completed within a period of one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days, commencing from the date of receipt of the Notice of award.

• MANAGEMENT

4.1 Contracting

The Contract for the Assignment shall be signed between COMESA Secretariat and the Consultant.

4.2 Language of the Specific Contract

All documents shall be in English language.

4.3 Supervision

It is expected that the consultant will work in very close coordination with the COMESA Secretariat, providing regular, unsolicited updates, and responding promptly and flexibly to the needs and demands of COMESA and the corresponding timelines. Overall reporting will be to Director of Infrastructure and Logistics and supervision will be administered through regular meetings and communication to monitor progress of the study and provide general and specific guidance. All reports shall be in electronic format in MS Word, Excel or PowerPoint as the case may be.

4.4 Reporting

All reports shall be in English submitted in both electronic and printed format on A4 paper. The Final Draft including all background documents will be submitted in five (5) bound hard copies as well as in electronic format to the COMESA Secretariat. The secretariate shall translate the documents in both French and Portuguese languages.

4.5 Location

The location of the assignment is home-based with field visits to COMESA, EAC, IGAD, IOC and SADC if virtual meetings are not possible with at least two travel missions to COMESA, and at least one visit to each of the other four RECs and selected Member/Partner States for information gathering.

4.6 Duration

The total number of days allocated for this assignment is one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days inclusive of travel days. The cconsultant will be required to have completed the study and submit the Final Report within this period.

• QUALIFICATIONs AND EXPERIENCE
  • Academic Requirements

1. Master’s degree in Air Transport, Aviation Law, Engineering, Economics, Business Administration or a relevant, directly related discipline.

• Professional Requirements

1. At least 10 years of progressively relevant experience in sustainable air transport development, air transport policy, airspace management, planning, strategy and regulation as well as programme/project management with a minimum of 5 years in managerial position.
2. Demonstrated experience in formulation of institutional and legal frameworks for civil aviation sector entities, governments or regulators,
3. Knowledge of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, Procedures of Air Navigation Services and aviation sector reform debate
4. Experience in the implementation of the ICAO Aviation System Block Upgrade framework in accordance with the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan
5. Experience in civil aviation regulations related to aviation safety, air navigation capacity and efficiency, security and environmental protection to assist African States in the practical interpretation and implementation of the African Civil Aviation Policy,
6. Knowledge of the roles of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the EA-SA-IO region and/or the African Union on sustainable development of air transport and aviation in general
7. Experience in dealing with air transport liberalization frameworks.
8. Experience in facilitating seminars and workshops.
9. Strong writing and presentation skills.
10. Relevant experience working in similar donor funded regional programmes, preferably (but not limited to) EU-funded programmes, in developing countries in general and in Sub-Saharan Africa in particular would be an additional asset.

Application Deadline: 14 April 2022