USAID improves the efficiency of rail cargo operations at the Railway Border Crossing Points

BCP Renovation and Reconstruction
14 June 2024

USAID improves the efficiency of rail cargo operations at the Railway Border Crossing Points

 USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is providing 20 bogie exchange lifts to the Railway Border Crossing Point (BCP) operated by Ukrainian Railways (UZ) in Lviv Oblast on Ukraine’s border with Poland.  

Bogie exchange lifts are used to efficiently change wheel bogies to move trains and wagons from wider gauges (1520 mm) used in Ukraine to standard gauges (1435 mm) used in Europe and vice versa.

Using these new lifts will contribute to more precise rail car rearrangement and, ultimately, to the efficiency of rail freight transportation between Ukraine and the European Union. It will also increase transshipment capacity by 40 wagons per day. 

At the beginning of June, the USAID ERA contractor installed the first three sets of four, each with the capacity to lift railcars weighing more than 100 tons, at the rail BCP in Lviv Oblast. The remaining two sets are to be installed by the beginning of July.   

 In February 2024, USAID ERA also supported the installation of 12 bogie exchange lifts at the rail BCP in Chernivtsi Oblast, on the Ukrainian-Romanian border, to boost rail operations.  

 Ongoing upgrades at the rail BCPs will collectively contribute to a more robust and efficient transportation network, bolstering trade and economic growth for Ukraine. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the supports the Government of Ukraine, including the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ), to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs).   

 

A modernized border crossing point on the border with Slovakia was opened in Zakarpattia Oblast

BCP Renovation and Reconstruction
06 June 2024

On May 30, 2024, representatives of the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) visited the Uzhhorod –Vyšné Nemecké road border crossing point (BCP) to meet with representatives of the Zakarpattia regional state administration and regional State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration) and the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

USAID ERA completed the rapid upgrade improvements of the BCP, which involved the installation of fully fitted prefabricated buildings for use as offices and restrooms, traffic organization tools such as road signs and barricades, cargo weighing scales, LED lighting, and pavement repairs, which will increase the car processing capacity of the BCP from an average of 630 to 900 cars per day. The passenger terminal opened to traffic on May 31, 2024.  

“The Agency for Restoration oversees 29 border crossing points on Ukraine’s western and southern borders. Some of them have already been modernized, while repair work is ongoing on the rest. Our partners, USAID ERA, provide significant support. The Agency’s task is to improve export logistics, ensure the quick delivery of humanitarian and military cargo, and make border crossing more comfortable for passengers and drivers. We thank USAID for their consistent and systematic support of the Agency for Restoration’s activities,” the Head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine emphasized.

A construction fence along the BCP’s passenger terminal previously limited space for cars passing from Ukraine into Slovakia, which caused longer wait times. ERA’s rapid upgrade improvements widened the asphalt pavement and created an additional lane through which passenger vehicles could cross. ERA also equipped Uzhhorod BCP with an additional office for the Passport and Customs clearance to manage the increased traffic. USAID ERA’s completed works have connected the Border Guard post to a waiting lot where cars can queue before crossing into Slovakia.

  

Earlier in May, ERA completed modernization work at one of Ukraine’s largest road BCP, Yahodyn-Dorohusk, which borders Poland.  

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine. This includes the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ), to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs).  

USAID provided six one-ton commodity scales to four border crossing points 

BCP Renovation and Reconstruction
05 June 2024

The USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) delivered six commodity scales with a load capacity of one ton to four road border crossing points (BCPs) to improve customs operations for cargo exports. Two scales were installed at the Kosino—Barabash and Vylok—Tisabech BCPs on the border with Hungary, while one scale each was installed at the Maly Berezny—Uzhhorod (Slovakia) and Solotvyno—Sighet (Romania) BCPs. 

By quickly and accurately weighing quantities of goods, the scales will help expedite the customs clearance process, allowing customs officers to focus on other critically important tasks. Reducing the waiting time for vehicles to undergo customs procedures at the border will facilitate smoother traffic flow at the crossing points, ensuring that goods crossing the borders meet customs requirements. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the Government of Ukraine, including the Ministry for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ), to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs). 

BCP Infrastructure Project Manager

BCP Renovation and Reconstruction
30 May 2024

Kyiv

ERA BACKGROUND 

Ukraine’s efforts to win the future – emerging from Russia’s full-scale war ready to accelerate its development as a sovereign, independent, democratic, and prosperous state – require a dynamic, inclusive economic recovery. Through partnerships with the government and robust private sector engagement, ERA has supported economic growth and resilience in Ukraine since 2018. Following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent occupation of the part of Ukraine, ERA shifted from its focus on Eastern Ukraine to cover development priorities across the country that address Ukraine’s urgent needs in export logistics and infrastructural improvements.

AGRI-UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORT LOGISTICS

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is one of USAID’s core partners implementing the $350 million Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI-Ukraine) that was established in 2022 to bolster Ukrainian agricultural exports and alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by the war. Under AGRI-Ukraine, ERA partners with public and private companies to complement and leverage urgently-needed grain transportation and transshipment investments.

INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS ERA also directly supports the Government of Ukraine, including the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service and Ukrainian Railways, to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs). Modern and more efficient border infrastructure and customs procedures will reduce export costs and increase export capacity, enabling  Ukraine to scale trade and advance its path to EU integration.

BCPs Renovation and Upgrade:

  • Infrastructure Improvements: deliver equipment, architecture and engineering design and construction services at 9 priority (6 road and 3 rail) and up to 12 additional BCPs that improve traffic management systems, cargo processing, and terminal infrastructure and equipment for cargo and passenger processing, to increase exports and manage traffic more efficiently along the borders of Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
  • Standardization and Efficiency with Rapid Upgrades: target total of 42 BCPs with immediate upgrades such as prefabricated office structures and restrooms, pavement repairs, signage, barricades, and equipment for weighing and scanning that address urgent needs and improve user experience and perceptions of Ukraine.
  • Equipment and Traffic Management Systems:  procure mobile truck scanners, fixed and dynamic scales, luggage and hand-held scanners, and rail cargo equipment to increase export capacity and meet international standards for cargo processing; and develop and implement modern traffic management systems at select, high volume BCPs.

About the job

BCP Infrastructure Project Manager will work with the BCP Director and Senior Manager for BCP Rapid Upgrades to oversee and coordinate project design management performed by engineering firms and construction from inception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and according to specifications. The position requires travel to BCP at the western border of Ukraine. The role is placed in Kyiv or Lviv and reports to Senior Manager for BCP Upgrade.

Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Scheduling:

  • Develop project scope of work, schedule, estimated cost, and resource allocation requirements.
  • Define project objectives, deliverables, and milestones.
  • Identify and mitigate project risks.
  • Review and monitor the level of effort (LOEs) submitted by the engineering subcontractors for reasonableness and time frames during the pre-design, design, and construction phases.
  • Develop and update progress monitoring control schedules (MS Project, Excel)  for design and construction work for multiple projects.
  • Track work progress using several factors such as time, cost, actual progress, etc., and monitor compliance with workplan timing and budget.

Project Execution:

  • Lead project kick-off meetings and regular status meetings.
  • Coordinate activities among team members and stakeholders.
  • Monitor project progress and performance using various methods such as time, cost, and physical progress.
  • Resolve issues and conflicts as they arise.

Communication:

  • Communicate project status, issues, and risks to ERA, USAID, and stakeholders.
  • Provide regular updates to the project team and management.

Resource Management:

  • Review and track resource allocation by the engineering subcontractors on multiple projects simultaneously against approved LOEs and detect any overlaps.
  • Review the engineering developed estimated construction cost.

Quality Assurance:

  • Ensure that deliverables meet quality standards and Government of Ukraine and USAID requirements.
  • Implement quality assurance processes and procedures.
  • Conduct quality reviews and audits as necessary.

Budget Management:

  • Develop project budget, track expenses, and review progress payments
  • Ensure that projects are completed within budget.

Stakeholder Management:

  • Build and maintain relationships with project stakeholders.
  • Manage stakeholder expectations and address their concerns.

Documentation:

  • Develop simultaneous document review and filing process.
  • Maintain accurate project documentation, including plans, schedules, and reports.
  • Ensure that project documentation is up-to-date and accessible
  • Archive project documentation upon project completion.
  • Keep respective activity records in the DAI corporate system (TAMIS).

Job Expectations

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI’s four core values:

  • Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing;
  • Responsibility: be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;
  • Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
  • Global Citizenship: respect cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place.

About you:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
  • Project management certification (e.g., PMP) is desirable.
  • At least 8 years of experience in managing engineering design projects and preferably donor-funded projects in Ukraine or abroad
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent organizational, time management, multi-tasking and multiple project management  abilities
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Project Management tools and software and ability to add LOE, and cost in addition to time to the Microsoft PM.
  • Knowledge of engineering and construction principles and practices.
  • Familiarity with relevant GoU and USAID regulations and standards of design and construction, as well as knowledge of international technical assistance.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English and Ukrainian are required.
  • Excellent computer skills in MS Excel and MS Project; able to develop Microsoft Project Gantt charts to monitor engineering level of effort (LOE), schedules, and cost for several projects environment.
  • Strong technical, financial, analytical, quantitative, critical thinking, and conceptual skills to analyze issues, develop monitoring and control tools, and recommend and present solutions and/or options.

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

Benefits Package:

  • 28 calendar days of annual leave
  • 10 days of internal well-being paid leave per annum
  • Medical Insurance for ERA staff and their families
  • Life Insurance for ERA staff
  • Coverage of all expenses for the business trips
  • Military reservation is possible and granted if you are on a relevant military register

Start date: July 1, 2024

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to ukraine@dai.com.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

Closing date for applications: June 16, 2024.

For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website era-ukraine.org.ua.

USAID completes basic upgrade of Yahodyn–Dorohusk road border crossing point to boost processing of cargo for export  

BCP Renovation and Reconstruction
29 May 2024

In cooperation with the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine and the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) has completed work on modernizing the Yahodyn-Dorohusk road crossing point (BCP) in Volyn Oblast, which borders Poland.

USAID ERA contractor installed 10 modular or prefabricated buildings, including four up-to-date restroom facilities with handicapped access and six modern offices for passport and document processing for truck drivers and passengers traversing the BCP. Each modular office is fully insulated and furnished, equipped with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, and connected to utilities (electricity, water, and heating), providing excellent working conditions for the State Customs and Border Guard Services of Ukraine.  

Simultaneously, USAID ERA contractor repaired damaged sidewalks and curbs, rainwater drainage pipes, painted metal fences, and replaced the road surface, updated road markings, fences, and signs. The road repairs improve safety and provide significant cost savings for people crossing the border by reducing wear and tear on tires and vehicles in general. 

USAID ERA also provided waste sorting trash bins to enhance cleanliness and safety and installed 459 LED lights and fixtures, significantly boosting illumination and enhancing safety and security at nighttime. Furthermore, USAID ERA installed two mobile dynamic vehicle scales, vital and versatile equipment that can be used to supplement the fixed scales to weigh vehicles and cargo, providing flexibility in handling different weighing requirements.

Additionally, USAID ERA is upgrading the Yahodyn-Dorohusk rail BCP to meet Ukrainian Railways’ (UZ) needs of improving the processing of cargo and passenger movements. USAID ERA has so far installed one 50-KW diesel generator to ensure continuous operation during power outages and delivered 26 pieces of ICT equipment and other supplies, including multifunctional devices (MFD), printers, laptops, computers, notebooks, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).  

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the supports the Government of Ukraine, including the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ), to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs). 

USAID supplies trash bins and road barricades to enhance facilities at 13 border crossing points

BCP Renovation and Reconstruction
28 May 2024

USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), continues to upgrade Ukraine’s western border crossing points (BCPs). In April and May, ERA delivered a total of 36 waste sorting trash bins, 28 large garbage containers, and 208 water-filled road barricades to Rava-Ruska–Hrebenne (Poland), Chop–Zahony, VylokTiszabecsi, KosynoBarabash, and Dzvinkove–Lonia (all BCPs on the border with Hungary), Malyi BerezniyU’bla (Slovakia), SolotvynoSighetu (Romania), and SokyrianyOcnita, VashkivtsiHrimenkeuts, KelmentsiLarga, Starokozache–Tudora, Rososhany–Brichen, and Mamalyga–Kryva (all BCPs on the border with Moldova). 

The bins are already in use and improving cleanliness at the BCPs, and will help foster environmental responsibility and in alignment with established practices in Europe. The road barriers are enhancing safety for motorists, pedestrians, and BCP officials. This support is part of broader efforts of USAID ERA to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and logistics capacity for BCPs in support of the export of grain and other essential agro-commodities, which is crucial for Ukraine’s economic recovery. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the supports the Government of Ukraine, including the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ), to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs).