Expertise: Digital Urban Infrastructure
Expertise Group: Engineering
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords: Digital Urban Infrastructure
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) technical assistance (TA) supports the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs (MOHUA) in implementing the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) and preparing urban investments. MOHUA
requires specialist advice on digital infrastructure, to strengthen project preparation, integration of
urban services, and sustainable operation. The expert will help MOHUA and ADB identify, assess, develop,
and structure practical digital components within UCF proposals, including through public–private
partnerships (PPPs). The emphasis will be on measurable service improvements, climate resilience,
institutional readiness, and value for money. Proposed components will be screened separately for UCF
eligibility.
Scope of Work
The expert will provide technical advisory support across the UCF verticals of cities as growth hubs,
creative redevelopment of cities, and water supply and sanitation. Work will prioritize digital
components of selected, sufficiently prepared urban investments and build on existing systems. It will
also identify institutional and operational reforms needed for less mature proposals. Support will
complement existing project preparation without reopening agreed designs unless specifically requested
by MOHUA and ADB.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
A. Assess needs and readiness
Review selected proposals, digital assets, data availability, connectivity, operating arrangements, and
institutional capacity. Consult users and responsible agencies to identify service gaps, duplication,
integration constraints, and priority interventions. Prepare a concise baseline and readiness assessment
distinguishing upgrades, reuse of existing assets, and justified new investment.
B. Identify priority applications
Assess applications such as water and wastewater monitoring, asset management, service complaints,
drainage and flood alerts, and management of redevelopment areas. Define users, decision processes, data
sources, baseline conditions, and measurable service outcomes. Prioritize applications by need,
feasibility, operating capacity, cost, and contribution to UCF project objectives.
C. Develop integration and technical requirements
Advise on functional digital architecture linking with utility systems, geographic information systems,
supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADA), sensors, and relevant urban infrastructure
platforms. Define data exchange, open interfaces, data quality, scalability, and integration
responsibilities. Assess hosting, storage, connectivity, backup, and disaster recovery options. Prepare
vendor-neutral requirements that support interoperability and data portability and reduce dependence on
proprietary systems. Distinguish monitoring and decision support from safety-critical operational
controls.
D. Support project preparation and procurement
Review digital components of concept notes, feasibility studies, detailed project reports, and cost
estimates for selected proposals. Recommend phased implementation, packaging, indicative capital and
recurrent costs, and realistic schedules. With the procurement and financial experts, support in
preparing or reviewing technical scopes, functional specifications, qualification inputs, performance
requirements, and acceptance-test criteria. Address licensing, maintenance, warranties, service levels,
data ownership, handover, and supplier exit arrangements. Provide technical responses to procurement
queries when assigned; procurement decisions and approvals remain with the responsible authorities.
E. Address security and operational sustainability
Identify cybersecurity, privacy, data access, and service continuity risks and recommend proportionate
requirements for review by the responsible specialists. Cover access controls, secure interfaces,
incident response, data retention, and recovery arrangements, consistent with applicable requirements.
Define institutional ownership, staffing, training, operations and maintenance responsibilities,
recurrent funding, and performance monitoring. Working with the TA’s financial and PPP experts, lead the
structuring of digital components suitable for PPP or build-own-operate-transfer, managed service, and
revenue-sharing models, covering risk allocation and payment mechanisms linked to service levels.
Consider inclusive access, energy efficiency, and electronic waste management with relevant sector and
safeguards specialists.
F. Provide implementation and capacity support
Review implementation plans, integration milestones, and proposed commissioning and acceptance
procedures for selected components. Maintain an issues and actions log and advise on corrective
measures. Prepare practical guidance and conduct two focused knowledge or training sessions for MOHUA
and participating agencies. Document lessons, unresolved decisions, and follow-up actions for handover.
Additional tasks must relate directly to this scope and fit within the agreed inputs.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
A. Education
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, electronics, telecommunications,
engineering, or a closely related discipline. A relevant master’s degree is desirable.
B. Experience
At least 10 years of general professional experience, including at least 5 years in digital
infrastructure, urban technology, or public-sector information systems. Demonstrated experience in
planning, designing, procuring, integrating, or operating integrated command and control centres (ICCCs)
or comparable integrated urban service platforms is required. Experience in PPP structuring of digital
or urban infrastructure projects is preferred, including involvement in the structuring and execution of
such projects.
C. Competencies
Experience in systems integration, interoperability, technical specifications, life-cycle costing, PPP
and service contract structuring, and operational arrangements; working knowledge of cybersecurity and
data governance; and ability to prepare clear technical reports and procurement inputs. Strong written
and spoken English and stakeholder coordination skills are required.
D. Preferred experience
Work with Indian urban agencies or utilities, water and sanitation digital systems, the Smart Cities
Mission, or comparable government programs. Experience with ADB or other development partners is
desirable.
Minimum General Experience: 5 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 5 Years
