UNDP Jobs - 32766- International Livestock Database Short Term Expert

INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK DATABASE SHORT TERM EXPERT
Location :	Tirana, Saranda, ALBANIA
Application Deadline :	25-Sep-12
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	International Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)	01-Oct-2012
Duration of Initial Contract :	12 working days (within period October - November 2012)
Expected Duration of Assignment :	12 working days (within period October - November 2012)
Background
Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of Albanian economy, though its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has decreased to date to about 28%. The sector remains however the main source of employment for more than half of population. The livestock sector contributes to approximately 50% of the agriculture production value. A nationwide food control and inspection system is required (production to processing, transport chains and distribution to retail shops) with appropriate controls, capacities and financing resources. Consumers show increasingly demand for higher-quality food and animal-origin products. Animal identification and registration, effective monitoring, an institutional strategy for improved inspection services are part of the challenges in this area supported by the mandates of different institutions. In this framework, UNDP contributes through the present ongoing project “Improving the Performance of Livestock Sector in Albania”, which has been under implementation since 2009 based on an agreement between the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Safety and Consumer Protection, the European Commission, the Italian Cooperation and UNDP Albania. The project aims to contribute to the overall objective of alleviation of poverty in rural areas and of improvement of consumer protection of animal food products through the support and development of the production and trading of safe and quality animal origin products and the augmentation of farmer’s income. One of the key expected results of the project consists in the “Introduction of a traceability and labeling system in the food chain”. In line with this result, different IT developments were supported throughout the implementation as a project contribution. The project addressed at the national level the modernization and harmonization of the existing information system in the livestock sector, according to EU legislation (livestock register and databases) and delivered in June 2011 an important initial contribution to the new “RUDA” livestock database, which is further developed by the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Consumer Protection (MAFCP) and the EU – funded Project for the Protection from Zoonotic Diseases (PAZA). At a regional level (southern districts: Saranda and Delvina) UNDP livestock project addressed the concept of a distinguished and controlled food chain for lamb meat to livestock keepers, according to the activities defined in the Project Document (“farm to fork” approach) and supported an IT software development for the traceability of live animals and carcasses by an Albanian company, which is currently introduced at user level. A third software development in the area of managing livestock and production (health) data and information within the “Ionian Lamb” livestock keeper association was initiated in spring 2012 as an “in house” development (project national IT expert) in collaboration with livestock experts and potential users.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Livestock Database Expert will work under the supervision of the National Project Coordinator and the International Project Consultant. He will carry out his duties in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator, the National IT Expert, the Department of I&R and Epidemiology of VFRI (CA), and other projects which operate in the sector and with international short term experts. The IT Expert will be based in Tirana (Project office, ISUV premises), with a short excursion to the south of Albania (Saranda). The assignment will require the following assessments: During the first 3 days, focus will be on the final assessment of RUDA system development under UNDP livestock project mandate, including visits in the ISUV premises and one of the Agricultural Technology Transfer Centers, where the software is applied. Administrators and users feedback should be reported. During the next 3 days of mission she/he will assess the progress of system implementation (Traceability and Labeling) under the service contract between UNDP livestock project and an Albanian IT Company, in collaboration with the beneficiaries and users (Municipality of Saranda, Ionian Lamb Association) and the national UNDP – IT Expert, aiming to provide last suggestions for final amendments. During the next 3 days of mission the expert will focus on a review of the “in house” software development (Association Livestock Managing System), elaborated by the National IT Expert. The software should be tested; first comments from the users should be received and reported, aiming again to provide last suggestions for final amendments. During the last days of the mission the database expert will elaborate a final report regarding the above mentioned software developments, referring also to the previous inputs (reports) of international consultants. The duties and responsibilities are described in more detail below: Technical Responsibility With regard to RUDA national livestock database: Assessment of database development (RUDA) especially for the backup system and maintenance tools, as far as they were under UNDP-project mandate of development Check the RUDA database structure, operability, stress tests and design changes during customization and maintenance (if any) Assure that the required tools for future development of RUDA system are delivered, configured and accessible from the CO Check if the maintenance and support for RUDA fulfilled the required tasks form the contractors Check for systems portability and migration tools/procedures being in place and the required training delivered to the CO Collect user feedback for the usability, security, flexibility of the system Suggest improvements based on user feedback and technical evidence assessed from the expert With regard to “traceability and labeling” software development: Assessment of database development especially for the backup system and maintenance tools, according to the ToR of contract Check the database structure, operability, stress tests and design changes during customization and maintenance (if any) Assure that the required tools for future development of the system are delivered, configured and accessible Check if the maintenance and support is fulfilled form the contractors Check for systems portability and migration tools/procedures being in place and the required training delivered Collect user feedback for the usability, security, flexibility of the system Suggest improvements based on user feedback and technical evidence assessed from the expert With regard to “association livestock managing” software development: Assessment of database development especially for the backup system and maintenance tools, according to the requirements Check the database structure, operability, stress tests and design changes during customization and maintenance (if any) Assure that the required tools for future development of the system are delivered, configured and accessible Check for systems portability and migration tools/procedures being in place and the required training delivered Collect user feedback for the usability, security, flexibility of the system Suggest improvements based on user feedback and technical evidence assessed from the expert Deliverables: The consultant will produce in English language a detailed technical mission report on workflow and software usability that will include: Databases performance, and current status Applications, accessibility and security Backup and maintenance tools used for the software’s Training delivery to all the user levels ( based on interviews) Documentation of the systems delivered (software guides, manuals and/or other materials) Future improvements and recommendation
Competencies
Integrity; Accuracy and strong results orientation; Proven capacity and hands on practical system design and implementation experience; Ability to identify critic problems in complex systems, debugging and system performance; Excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills; Excellent database, web services, IT system development, IT system integration and IT system evaluation skills; Resourcefulness, initiative, and critical thinking.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Advance University Degree in Computer Science, IT or related fields. Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in software system engineering ( Experience in Agricultural, Livestock and Food Safety Systems will be an asset). Language: Fluency in English, both verbally and in writing. Evaluation Process: Candidates will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation The applicable ratio of required technical and financial criteria will be respectively 70% and 30% The following criteria will be used in Technical Evaluation: Demonstrate proven achievements in the area of database and software development, possibly in an agricultural / livestock environment Proven ability and experience in conducting international short term missions for the assessment of database / software developments Capacity for concise reporting of complex technical contents in English language Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% of the obtainable points of 100 points in technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Applications: Qualified and interested candidates are requested to apply on-line through this site, no later than September 25th, 2012. Please submit the following to demonstrate your interest and qualifications by explaining why you are the most suitable for the work: Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days and any other costs such as per diems, travel and incidental expenditures in Tirana (main office) and Saranda (project site) Personal History Form for SCs and ICs. Interested individuals must submit their applications online through UNDP Online Recruitment System. Correspondence (either in hard or soft format) will not be considered until the advance stage of the selection process. Applicants are encouraged to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it on the online application. The P11 Form can be downloaded from the link http://www.undp.org.al/download/P11 for SCs and ICs.doc How to Submit Application - To submit your application online, please follow the steps below: Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for SCs and ICs; Merge your P11, financial proposals and other relevant documents into a single file; Click on the Job Title; Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application;” Upload your application. You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested documents. UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their financial proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. UNDP retains the right to contact references directly. Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.