GovWire

The Department for Transport is inviting UK companies and organisations to recommend a suitable expert for consideration byDfTto be one of up to two UK nominees to join this expert advisory panel.

Background

The Common Interest Group for Ukraine (CIG4U) was established in December last year within the International Transport Forum (ITF). It is co-chaired by the governments of Canada, Lithuania, Sweden and Ukraine to help Ukraine rebuild its transport system and develop new international trade links. CIG4U will run a series of research projects, aimed at providing Ukraine with a strong evidence base to underpin transport reconstruction.

One research project under the CIG4U initiative is Developing Sustainable Pathways for Ukraines Waterborne Transport Sector.

The goal of this project is to identify sustainable policy and infrastructure development pathways for the economic recovery of Ukraines waterborne transport sectors, including maritime shipping and inland waterways.

Objectives

The projects main objectives are:

1. Assess the state of Ukraines waterborne transport sector (maritime and inland waterways), including the impact of the war and opportunities for enhancing capacity through reconstruction and modernisation.

2. Identify key challenges and opportunities for improving the sustainability and resilience of Ukraines waterborne transport operations, infrastructure, and vessel fleet.

3. Develop sustainable and resilient policy and infrastructure pathways based on a comprehensive analysis of future demand scenarios for waterborne transport demand.

In collaboration with Ukrainian stakeholders, the project will also consider:

• rebuilding and enhancing port infrastructure
• new maritime corridors for international shipping
• implementing policy and governance reforms
• operational measures to reduce emissions and improve resilience
• encouraging adoption of low-carbon technologies and fuels

Make a nomination

The ITF is now accepting nominations from member countries for a panel of experts to advise the project team. The expert advisory panel will ensure that the project outputs are aligned with international best practices in the passenger transport sector. It will also ensure that the project outputs are compatible with complementary initiatives related to the recovery of Ukraine and encourage international knowledge-sharing and cooperation.

The expert advisory panel will be expected to meet virtually with the ITF research team on a quarterly basis to provide expert feedback on project progress and activities. The panel may also be invited to review or contribute to selected project outputs

The first meeting of the panel will take place in early 2025 and the project is expected to reach completion in Q2 2026.

Expert panel positions will not be remunerated.

If your organisation would like to recommend a candidate for this panel, please email DftUkraineResponse@Dft.gov.uk with:

• their name
• position/title
• contact information
• a short summary explaining why you have nominated your chosen candidate - no more than 150 words
• a copy of their CV

Please use Candidate nomination for Ukraines waterborne transport sector EAP as the email subject line.

The nominees should be technical-level experts with considerable first-hand experience in developing and/or operating waterborne transport systems. DfT will evaluate recommendations based on these criteria, specifically:

• demonstrable technical level expertise in waterborne transport
• first-hand experience in developing and/or operating waterborne transport systems.

Additional:

• experience across multiple waterborne transport sectors

Those selected to be nominated will be contacted before Wednesday 30 October 2024.

Terms of appointment

Please note that:

• nomination by DfT does not guarantee acceptance by ITF to the expert panel
• all nominations made by DfT to ITF shall be subject to the ITFs background and reputational risk check and to the approval of the CIG4U co-chairs
• if appointed by the ITF, nominees will not be representing the UK government and will act on the panel in their personal capacity as an expert on the subject
• a confidentiality agreement will be signed by all participants

Confidentiality and data protection

The Department for Transport will use the personal information you provide to evaluate recommendations for the expert advisory panel on developing sustainable pathways for Ukraines waterborne transport sector. This recommendation and the processing of personal data that it entails is necessary for the exercise of our functions as a government department. If the data you share contains any information that allows someone to be identified, DfT will, under data protection law, be the controller for this information.

If your recommendation is successful, we will share the name, position / title and submitted contact details of the nominee with the ITF, for the purposes of their consideration for acceptance to the expert panel. We will contact you if your recommendation is accepted before we do this.

The personal data you provide will be kept securely and destroyed after 6 months after the recommendations have been reviewed by DfT.

DfTs privacy policy has more information about your rights in relation to your personal data, how to complain and how to contact the Data Protection Officer.