Consultant to Update Asian Highway Routes 3 & 4 Handbook – Russian Federation

Result of ServiceAn updated country chapter for the Handbook on Cross-Border Transport and Ancillary Facilities along the Asian Highway Network Routes 3 and 4. Work LocationHome Based Expected duration15 Mar - 30 Jun 2026 Duties and ResponsibilitiesIn East and North-East Asia, China, Mongolia and the Russian Federation signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on International Road Transport along the Asian Highway Network (AHN) in December 2016. The Agreement, which entered into force in September 2018, allows seamless carriage of goods across borders of the three countries in designated AH3 and AH4 routes through the road permits issued under the Agreement. AH3 routes can provide sea access to Tianjin port for landlocked Mongolia through China. In line with the Agreement’s provisions (i.e., Article 12), the three countries established a Joint Committee composed of the representatives of their competent authorities to supervise jointly the Agreement’s implementation. The first session of the Joint Committee (with China as country chair) was held on July 2019 in Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China where the three countries appointed national coordinators for the implementation of the Agreement at the level of Deputy Ministers of Transport. Since then, several sessions of the Joint Committee have been held: 2nd session on May 2021 (online; Mongolia as country chair), 3rd session on September 2023 (online; Russian Federation as country chair), 4th session on July 2024 (Hohhot, China; China as country chair), 5th session on October 2025 (online; Mongolia as country chair). During the Expert Group Meeting held on November 2018 (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) in preparation for the implementation of the Agreement, ESCAP presented the detailed handbook on the segments of AH3 and AH4 routes covered by the Agreement (Handbook on Cross-Border Transport and Ancillary Facilities along the Asian Highway Network Routes 3 and 4). During the Expert Group Meeting held on January 2025 (Incheon, Republic of Korea), countries requested ESCAP to update the handbook. To this end, consultancy services are needed to update the handbook on regulatory, policy, and infrastructure developments along the segments of AH3 and AH4 routes covered by the Agreement. The consultancy is to collect, verify, and update information on cross-border transport requirements, regulations, and procedures, as well as national data on transport infrastructure and the operationalization of selected corridors. The updated country chapters will ensure the handbook remains a reliable reference for governments, transport operators, and regional partners. Three individual consultancy services are needed to update three country chapters of the handbook: (1) China, (2) Mongolia, (3) Russian Federation. This Job Opening for the chapter on the Russian Federation will cover the following elements: 1. Data collection and consolidation: Update the country chapter (i.e., Russian Federation) which will cover the following information in line with the current structure of the handbook: - Transportation authorities - Regulation on maximum permissible weights and dimensions - Requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods - Regulations of driving time and rest periods - Mandatory satellite tracking system requirements for vehicles and -- additional security means for transit - Digital operation practices on transport routes - Infrastructures and services on routes supporting sustainable road transport practices - Emergency numbers - Road maintenance works - Special seasonal restrictions - Dangerous sections and notifications - Payment options - Road usage fees - AH3 and AH4 route information An information template (excel file) will be developed with the consultants to facilitate high-quality technical data collection and consolidation. 2. Data verification and coordination: Coordinate with relevant stakeholders (e.g., government officials, transport operators, related service providers, etc.) to verify the collected data. 3. Report drafting: Write the country chapter of the handbook, guided by the report outline to be developed with the consultants. References: Intergovernmental Agreement on International Road Transport along the Asian Highway Network (AHN): https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Intergovernmental-Agreement-on-International-Road-Transport-along-the-Asian-Highway-Network-English-language.pdf Handbook on Cross-Border Transport and Ancillary Facilities along the Asian Highway Network Routes 3 and 4: https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Handbook-AH3-AH4-final.pdf Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced degree or at least 7 years of professional experience and excellent in-depth, practical knowledge of road transport, border crossing and transit issues Experience working with government agencies, transport-related stakeholders, and international organizations Fluency in English and national language (Russian) LanguagesNot available. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.