International cooperation, donor engagement and investment mobilisation require substantial coordination across multiple stakeholders and workstreams. Dedicated expert capacity is needed to provide continuity, institutional coordination and strategic support in these areas, particularly in the period leading up to URC 2027.

The proposed expert will provide this capacity by supporting the Ministry in developing a coordinated approach to international partner engagement, preparing Ukraine's transport priorities for URC 2027, strengthening donor coordination, identifying financing and partnership opportunities, and ensuring closer alignment between transport recovery, investment mobilisation and European integration.

The assignment is expected to contribute to a more coherent and investment-ready presentation of Ukraine's transport priorities, stronger coordination with international partners, improved mobilisation of external financing and more effective conversion of international interest and commitments into concrete cooperation and investment opportunities.

Objectives and anticipated results

1)     General objective

To strengthen Ukraine's international cooperation and investment mobilisation in the transport sector and support the effective positioning of Ukraine's transport recovery and European integration priorities within international and donor processes.

2)     Specific objectives

The assignment is structured around 4 phases:

Phase 1. Preparation and positioning of Ukraine's transport priorities for URC 2027

Outputs:

•           develop a strategic approach and roadmap for presenting Ukraine's transport recovery and investment priorities at URC 2027;

•           identify priority transport projects and initiatives with high potential for international and private investment;

•           support the development of investment proposals, project pipelines and sectoral investment priorities for presentation to international partners;

•           coordinate inputs from relevant transport institutions and stakeholders for URC-related materials;

•           support the preparation of presentations, briefing materials, investment narratives, project fiches and other materials required for engagement with donors and investors;

•           identify potential international financial institutions, donors, development partners and private investors relevant to priority transport projects;

•           facilitate preparation of bilateral and multilateral meetings and partnership opportunities in the framework of URC 2027;

•           support follow-up activities after URC 2027 to ensure continuity of engagement and conversion of commitments into concrete cooperation and investment opportunities.

Phase 2. Support the establishment and effective functioning of a platform for coordination with international donors and development partners in the transport sector

Outputs:

•           map key donors, international financial institutions, development agencies and other international stakeholders active or potentially interested in Ukraine's transport sector;

•           develop and maintain a structured database/mapping of partners, their priorities, instruments, geographical and thematic focus, and potential areas of cooperation;

•           support the development of a regular donor coordination mechanism/platform for transport;

•           prepare agendas, briefing materials and background information for donor coordination meetings;

•           facilitate information exchange between Ukrainian institutions and international partners;

•           identify overlaps, gaps and opportunities for coordination among donor-supported transport initiatives;

•           support alignment of donor assistance with Ukraine's strategic transport priorities and EU integration objectives;

•           track key donor commitments, initiatives and follow-up actions.

Phase 3. International Cooperation and Partnerships

Outputs:

•           support strategic engagement with EU institutions, Member States, international financial institutions, bilateral donors and development partners;

•           identify opportunities for new partnerships, technical assistance, grants, concessional financing, blended finance and other instruments relevant to transport;

•           support the preparation and coordination of high-level meetings with international partners;

•           prepare briefing notes, talking points and background materials for senior officials;

•           support development of strategic partnerships between Ukrainian transport stakeholders and European/international counterparts.

Phase 4. Investment Mobilisation

Outputs:

•           support the development of investment narratives demonstrating the economic, regional, connectivity and EU-integration value of priority projects;

•           identify opportunities for public-private partnerships and other investment mechanisms, where relevant.

3)     Anticipated results

Results foreseen in relation to phase 1 of the mission:

·       A roadmap for the preparation of the transport sector’s participation in URC 2027 is developed and regularly updated.

·       A consolidated pipeline of priority transport recovery and investment projects is prepared in coordination with relevant institutions.

·       Project recaps, investment proposals, presentations and briefing materials are prepared for URC 2027.

·       Preparatory meetings with international partners and investors are coordinated, and relevant follow-up actions are planned.

Results foreseen in relation to phase 2 of the mission:

·       A comprehensive mapping and database of international donors, financial institutions and development partners in the transport sector is created.

·       A donor coordination mechanism is supported through the preparation of meetings, background materials and minutes.

·       Donor-funded initiatives, financing commitments and ongoing technical assistance activities are tracked and documented.

·       Potential overlaps and financing gaps are identified and reported to the Ministry.

Results foreseen in relation to phase 3 of the mission:

·       Bilateral and multilateral meetings are organised and supported, with key discussions, agreed actions and follow-up requirements documented.

·       Opportunities for technical assistance, institutional cooperation and new partnerships are identified and presented to the Ministry.

Results foreseen in relation to phase 4 of the mission:

·       Potential financing opportunities, including public-private partnerships and blended financing arrangements, are identified, documented, and presented to the Ministry.

             Description of the assignment

1)     Planned activities

The expert shall work in close cooperation with Ministry officials. They will also work closely with a French International Technical Expert (ETI) supported and deployed by Expertise France within the Ministry of Transports of Ukraine. This ETI will provide support to the ministry in structuring its demands and in identifying support offers. The international coordination expert will build on this institutional knowledge to better envision the international cooperation opportunities.

Activities implemented under phase 1 aim to ensure the effective preparation and positioning of Ukraine’s transport sector for URC 2027 to engage potential international partners and investors.

Activities implemented under phase 2 aim to strengthen donor coordination in Ukraine’s transport sector, ensuring better alignment of international assistance with national recovery priorities and European integration objectives.

Activities implemented under phase 3 aim to develop strategic partnerships between Ukrainian transport institutions and international counterparts.

Activities implemented under phase 4 aim to facilitate investment mobilisation and identify financing opportunities for priority transport recovery projects.

Phase 1. Preparation for URC 2027

- Develop a roadmap outlining key milestones, institutional responsibilities and deliverables for URC 2027.

- Identify priority transport projects into an investment pipeline, preparing project sheets and supporting documentation.

- Prepare sectoral presentations, investment briefs and other materials for engagement with international partners and investors.

Phase 2. Donor and International Partner Coordination

- Establish a database of donors, financing instruments, ongoing interventions and relevant contact points.

- Organise donor coordination meetings, preparing agendas, background materials, minutes and action points.

- Review ongoing donor-funded initiatives to identify overlaps, financing gaps and opportunities for complementary interventions.

Phase 3. International Cooperation and Partnerships

- Identify and pursue cooperation opportunities with EU institutions, Member States and international development partners.

- Prepare briefing notes, talking points and cooperation proposals for high-level international engagements.

- Facilitate institutional exchanges and support the development of new technical assistance initiatives and strategic partnerships.

Phase 4. Investment Mobilisation

- Identify and assess financing instruments suitable for priority transport infrastructure and recovery projects.

- Develop project-specific investment narratives highlighting economic, connectivity and EU integration benefits.

- Explore public-private partnership opportunities and facilitate initial engagement with potential investors and financing institutions.

2)     Anticipated deliverables

Deliverables will be determined flexibly and issued on a task-by-task basis through individual Purchase Orders. Anticipated deliverable types include:

1. URC 2027 Preparation Roadmap

2. Donor and International Partner Database

3. Partnership and Investment Opportunities report / portfolio

4. Monthly/assignment activity briefs detailing performed tasks under active Purchase Orders.

       Place, duration and terms of performance

1)     Implementation period: December 2026 to April 2027

2)     Start date: December 2026

3)     End date: May 2027

4)     Effective duration per assignment: 120 working days 

 Assignment reports

The consultant shall submit reports as precised by purchase order.

Performance indicators