UNDP Jobs - 50191- Web Database Programmer for UNDP-GEF

Web Database Programmer for UNDP-GEF

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

03-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

12-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

110 working days through 31 May 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 be available for regular teleconferences and skype meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

Expected Outputs

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: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: November 2014);
Programme test version 1 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ (Proposed Timeframe: November 2014);
Revise and programme test version 2 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ (Proposed Timeframe: November 2014);
Revise and programme test version 3 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff in the field (Proposed Timeframe: November 2014);
Incorporate feedback and finalise timesheet module in PIMS 3 by 30 November 2014.

Timeframe:

1 - 30 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 December 2014);
Programme test version 1 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ (Proposed timeframe 15 - 31 December 2014);
Revise and programme test version 2 for testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ and the field (Proposed timeframe 31 December 2014 – 31 January 2015);
Incorporate feedback and finalize search and reporting modules in PIMS 3 by 15 February 2015.

Timeframe:

December 2014 – February 2015.

Output three: 2015 PIR MODULE

Update the 2014 PIR (project implementation review) module in preparation for the 2015 PIR Process;
Develop additional tabs, data fields and user options for 2015 PIR module;
Update PIR administrative management interface;
Update PIR Word Report in line with changes to 2015 PIR module;
Update related PIR reports and integrated project views in PIMS3 system;
Verify the data imports and test all functions with key users.

Deliveables:

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: February 2015);
Programme version 1 of 2015 PIR module updates for testing with UNDP-GEF Results Management team (Proposed timeframe: 1-15 February 2015);
Ongoing revisions and testing between programmer and UNDP-GEF Results and Knowledge Associates (Proposed timeframe: 15 February 2015 – 1 March 2015);
Incorporate feedback and finalise PIR updates (Proposed timeframe: 1-15 March 2015);
Update related PIR reports, PIR administrative interface and integrated project views in PIMS3 system. (Proposed timeframe: February 2015 – March 2015).

Timeframe:

February 2015 – March 2015.

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: 1-15 April 2015);
Programme testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ (Proposed timeframe: 15 – 30 April 2015);
Revised programme testing with UNDP-GEF staff based at HQ and the field (Proposed timeframe: 15 April - 1 May 2015);
Incorporate feedback and finalize updates in PIMS 3 by 31 May 2015.

Timeframe:

1 April 2015 – 31 May 2015.

Information on Working Arrangements:

Estimated level of effort: 110 working 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 be available for regular and ad hoc skype/phone meetings and be in reliable email contact;
Irrespective of his/her location, the consultant will be expected to be available mostly during the regular business hours of HQ-NY, USA (so as to simultaneously facilitate communications with the Results Management and Evaluation Advisor, IT Business Solutions Specialist, and Results and Knowledge Associate);
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.

Travel:

International travel will not be required in this consultancy.

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. 5 points).

Experience:

Minimum 2 years in web and database design, programming and implementation (Max. 10 points);
Experience in PHP, MySQL, jQuery and PHPExcel required (Max. 20 points);
Experience in SQL-based database management is required (Max. 20 points);
Experience in implementing existing open-source based solutions (Max. 15 points);
Experience in frameworks such as jQuery UI, Drupal , Python, Perl and Java or similar web-based development language is strongly desired (Max. 15 points);
Experience in UNDP’s current platforms including Drupal, PeopleSoft, Cold Fusion, MS-SQL, and Microsoft Access are desirable (Max. 10 points).

Language Requirements (Max. 5 points):

Good oral and written communication skills in English;
Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset.

Evaluation method:

Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11);
Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications (max. 100 points) and a technical test (max. 20 points) will be weighted at 70% and the financial offer will be weighted at 30%;
Only the top 5 scoring candidates of those obtaining 85 points or more from the review of qualifications will be considered for the technical test and financial evaluation;
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, including breakdown per Output. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must additionally include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including number of anticipated working days and all inclusive daily provisional fee);
Financial score (max 100pts) shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment;
Applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.

Documentation to be submitted:

Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P11) to be downloaded from the below link. Kindly note you can upload only one document to this application.

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

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

General Conditions of Contract for the ICs:

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