UNDP Jobs - 45156- Web Database Programmer

Web Database Programmer

Location :

Home-based with weekly meetings at NY office, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

14-Apr-2014

Application Deadline :

07-Apr-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

160 days through 31 January 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP recognizes that the growing risks and impacts of climate change and the accompanying loss of ecosystem services requires the world to urgently invest in a new green development paradigm. Based in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy and its Environment and Energy Group, the UNDP-GEF unit helps developing countries make green, low emission and climate resilient development not only possible, but also economically attractive. To achieve this, it works closely with UNDP country offices to help countries develop and implement programmes and projects which advance their capacity to put in place the right mix of regulatory and financial incentives, remove institutional and policy barriers, and create enabling environments that attract and drive private sector investment into green development.

UNDP-GEF staff assist partner countries to develop and implement programmes and projects that combine and sequence resources from a wide range of global environment and climate funds, financial mechanisms, and instruments including, but not limited to: the GEF managed family of vertical funds such as the GEF Trust Fund, the Special Climate Change Fund, and the Least Developed Countries Fund; the Adaptation Fund; the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation, voluntary carbon markets and other innovative sources of carbon, climate, and ecosystem finance, as well as a variety of multilateral, bilateral, national, sub-national and private sector sources.

The Web Database Programmer Consultant will be part of a team working to design and implement a web-based project cycle management system, ‘PIMS3,’ that connects various server and end-user databases currently in use by the UNDP-GEF team.

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Results Management and Evaluation Advisor and will closely collaborate with the IT Business Solutions Specialist and Results and Knowledge Associate of the UNDP-GEF Unit. The position is home-based and the consultant is expected to come to the New York Office for weekly meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will update and adjust the data structure of specific modules in PIMS3 (a custom SQL, PHP, mysql, jQuery application).

The expected outputs from the Web Database Consultant are:

Output One: 2014 PIR Module

Update the 2013 PIR (project implementation review) module in preparation for the 2014 PIR Process;
Develop additional tabs, data fields and user options for 2014 PIR module;
Develop a file transfer process so users can upload files into the PIMS3 project library via the 2014 PIR module;
Update PIR administrative management interface;
Update PIR Word Report in line with changes to 2014 PIR module;
Update related PIR reports and integrated project views in PIMS3 system;
Verify the data imports and test all functions with key users;
Roll-out and troubleshoot for duration of 2014 PIR process.

Deliverables:

After internal meetings with relevant UNDP-GEF staff, provide written overview of the key specifications of this module and refine timelines before commencing programming. (Proposed timeframe: April 2014);
Programme version 1 of 2014 PIR module updates for testing with UNDP-GEF Results Management team (Proposed timeframe: April 2014);
Design file transfer process (Proposed timeframe: late April 2014);
Ongoing revisions and testing between programmer and UNDP-GEF Results and Knowledge Associates (Proposed timeframe: April – 30 May 2014);
Incorporate feedback and finalise PIR updates (Proposed timeframe: April – 30 May 2014).

Timeframe: April – 30 May 2014

Deliverables:

Update related PIR reports, PIR administrative interface and integrated project views in PIMS3 system. (Proposed timeframe: 16 June – 1 August 2014);
Troubleshooting during live 2014 PIR Process (Proposed timeframe: 31 May – 1 November 2014).

Timeframe: June – November 2014

Output two: Search and reporting functions

Update system components to improve search and querying, reporting, and data export;
Significantly expand reporting requirements to meet emerging needs of users, new demands from the GEF, etc.;
Update functions related to APR/PIR search, project document search, finance search and archival search;
Identify and implement new opportunities for novel synthesis, analysis and reporting;
Develop administrative management interface to allow for adjustments to search and reporting functions and settings;
Verify the data imports and test all functions with key users;
Roll-out and troubleshoot.

Deliverables:

After internal meeting with relevant UNDP-GEF staff, provide written overview of the key specifications of this module and re-fine timelines before commencing programming. (Proposed timeframe: 1-15 June 2014);
Programme test version 1 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ (Proposed timeframe 15 - 30 June 2014);
Revise and programme test version 2 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ and the field (Proposed timeframe 30 June – 15 August 2014);
Incorporate feedback and finalize search and reporting modules in PIMS 3 by 1 September 2014.

Timeframe: June – September 2014

Output three: Time sheets

Build timesheet module to record and report on UNDP-GEF staff time spent delivering project cycle management services and GEF corporate activities;
Develop module to track project cycle management timesheets linked to a specific project;
Develop module to track corporate activities (i.e. not linked to a specific project);
Develop user inter-interface, reports and dashboards;
Develop administrative management interface to allow for adjustments to functions and settings;
Roll-out and troubleshoot.

Deliverables:

After internal meeting with relevant UNDP-GEF staff, provide written overview of the key specifications of this module before commencing programming. (Proposed Timeframe: April 2014);
Programme test version 1 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ (Proposed Timeframe: April 2014);
Revise and programme test version 2 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ (Proposed Timeframe: April 2014);
Revise and programme test version 3 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff in the field (Proposed Timeframe: 30 April -15 May 2014);
Incorporate feedback and finalise timesheet module in PIMS 3 by 31 May 2014.

Timeframe: April – 31 May 2014

Output four: Improve format, function and design

Update system components and features relating to format, functionality and design;
Update System User interface to improve functionality;
Update top toolbar selections for efficiency and to enhance user experience;
Develop administrative management interface to allow for adjustments to functions and settings;
Roll-out and troubleshoot.

Deliverables:

After internal meeting with relevant UNDP-GEF staff, provide written overview of the key specifications of this module and re-fine timelines before commencing programming. (Proposed timeframe: 15- 19 September 2014);
Programme test version 1 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ (Proposed timeframe 22 September – 3 October 2014);
Revise and programme test version 2 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ and the field (Proposed timeframe 7 October– 30 October 2014);
Incorporate feedback and finalize updates in PIMS 3 by 31 January 2015.

Timeframe: 15 September 2014 – 31 January 2015.

Information on Working Arrangements:

Estimated level of effort: 160 days;
The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection;
The consultant is expected to come to the New York Office for weekly meetings. Please ensure to include the travel costs for this assignment in your quote if applicable;
Payments will be made upon submission of a certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the Results Management and Evaluation Advisor on satisfactory delivery of outputs.

Competencies

Corporate

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Technical

High level logistical skills;
Extensive experience with web based and end-user databases;
Advanced programming skills in Drupal, Oracle, SQLServer, MySQL or equivalent;
Advanced end-user interface design;
Experience in implementing the use of open-source software in order to reduce development time.

Planning and Organizing

Strong systematic and organizational skills demonstrating attention to detail as well as broader strategy.

Judgment/Decision-Making

Mature judgment and initiative.

Communication

Able to communicate effectively with non-technical staff, explaining advanced database and computing concepts simply and clearly.

Client Orientation

Ability to identify needs and propose appropriate solutions.

Integrity

Demonstrated integrity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Degree in computer science, software engineering, or other equivalent (Max. 2 points).

Experience:

Minimum 2 years in web and database design, programming and implementation (Max. 5 points);
Experience in PHP, MySQL, jQuery and PHPExcel required (Max. 5 points);
Experience in SQL-based database management is required (Max. 5 points);
Experience in implementing existing open-source based solutions (Max. 4 points);
Experience in frameworks such as jQuery UI, Drupal , Python, Perl and Java or similar web-based development language is strongly desired (Max. 4 points);
Experience in UNDP’s current platforms including Drupal, PeopleSoft, Cold Fusion, MS-SQL, and Microsoft Access are desirable (Max. 3 points).

Language Requirements:

Good oral and written communication skills in English; (Max. 2 points);
Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset. (Max. 1 point).

Evaluation method:

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications will be weighted at 70% and the financial offer will be weighted at 30% (out of Max 100pts.);
Applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.

General Conditions of Contract for the ICs:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.

UNDP Personal History form (P11) required of all applicants:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.