UNDP Jobs - 56723- Individual Consultant - Information and Communicat

Individual Consultant - Information and Communication Technology Expert

Location :

Beirut, LEBANON

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Six (6) Months from Contract Signature

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six (6) Months from Contract Signature

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/RBAS and MBRF have partnered since 2007 in the development of a series of Arab Knowledge Reports (AKR) which independently analyzed and monitored trends and issues affecting knowledge in the Arab region. Along the same lines and vision, the Arab Knowledge Index which builds on the three Arab Knowledge Reports (2009, 2010/2011, and 2014), is planned to be produced and launched by the end of the year 2015. The Index will be built using a multi-disciplinary and participatory methodology, and will be launched with the production of a publication that includes an assessment (detailed country profiles), as well as a thorough presentation of the methodology that was followed.

The Arab Knowledge Index will provide an evaluation of Knowledge in the Arab region, using country-based assessment. To this end the Index will be built following seven main thematic areas that were identified as the focal fields for understanding the situation of knowledge, based on the findings of the previous Arab Knowledge Reports. These areas are: Pre-University Education and Literacy, Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training, Research and Innovation and Development, Economy, Knowledge for Development, and Information and Communication Technology.

Two main features are intended in the process, the first being a focus on multidisciplinarity which stems from the nature of the topic at hand. The second feature is the policy angle which requires a concrete approach to the analysis of challenges of opportunities within the research framework.

As aforementioned, one of the main areas of research identified for the Arab Knowledge Index is Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as the infrastructure for the various knowledge inputs and outputs in the economy as well as the society as a whole. In fact, ICT is also an increasingly important input in the various fields of sustainable human development, such as in the fields of health services, or humanitarian relief. ICT is also a sector that crosses a number of debates in terms of its impact on the social and economic levels. Needless to say, any examination of the situation of knowledge should include an assessment of the ICT including available systems, policies and networks, in addition to the investment of ICT in the various fields of production and doing business in general, and most importantly in education and research for knowledge production.

As such, the AKR project is looking to contracting a number experts and a team leader to form the Arab Knowledge Index Core Team which will work with the AKR Technical Team and report to the Regional Programme Coordinator, and be responsible for the required research, consultations, and drafting of the final publication, as well as all associated processes as per the following sections.

Duties and Responsibilities

While stressing the collective responsibility of the Core Team for the production of the Index, the corresponding Arab countries’ assessment, as well as the production of the final publication, however and for organizational purposes the work load will be distributed among Core Team members. The Core Team member, expert on ICT is primarily responsible for this thematic area in terms of generating knowledge, setting and implementing the adequate consultative process in full coordination with the AKR technical team.

Along with that, and working under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, and reporting to the Regional Programme Coordinator, the expert on ICT shall be responsible of:

Contributing to the drafting and finalization the research methodology and conceptual framework, as well as the required action plans through both the production of the components that are related to ICT, as well as participating in the consolidation of all the other components as advised by the Core Team leader;
Producing a synopsis of relevant indices in relation to Information and Communication Technology that are already available, with a focus on the features and shortcomings of each;
Collecting and soliciting knowledge products and data to produce the Index and build the indicators that are related to Information and Communication Technology;
Drafting / co-authoring in Arabic the final publication report covering the methodology (including the selection process of the indicators), and results of the Arab Knowledge Index.

The Index Production and Publication Drafting process shall involve:

Participation in 4 to 6 Core Team meetings at which substantive matters will be discussed;
Planning, preparing and implementing 7-10 consultative meetings with experts and stakeholders from at least four different Arab countries as part of a first round of consultations around measuring knowledge and the adequate indicators related to Information and Communication Technology;
Planning, preparing and implementing 3-5 consultative meetings with experts and stakeholders from at least two different non-Arab countries as part of a first round of consultations around measuring knowledge and the adequate indicators related to Information and Communication Technology;
Contributing to the planning, preparation and participation in at least 1 thematic workshop discussing the measurement of the elements of ICT in the Arab region as part of a second round of consultations which will be based on the first round, but will focus on consolidating results through sessions of group consultations instead of individual ones;
Coordination of data sources and data with the Technical Team in order to ensure consistency;
Substantive management and integration of background papers in accordance to the criteria and process as agreed upon with the Core Team leader and Technical Team;
Delivery of drafts by the timeline and deadlines agreed upon;
Participating in relevant review meetings and events (Advisory Board meeting or Readers Group meeting);
Assisting in the identification of reviewers or Advisory Board members when needed;
Reviewing and proofreading the printer ready version of the final publication.

Stressing the collective responsibility of each of the Core Team members of the full production of the Arab Knowledge Index and the final publication, each Core Team Member shall also:

Assuming responsibility along with the other members of the Core Team for ensuring that the deadline of each phase of the process is met- based on the agreed upon work plan and set timelines;
Maintaining close consultation and coordination with the Core Team leader and the Regional Programme Coordinator on a regular basis to report progress toward deliverables as well as substantive opportunities and challenges;
Consulting with and advise other Core Team members, and the AKR Technical Team on the research methodology to be used; and coordinate with the AKR Technical Team to ensure reliability and consistency of data and data sources;
Reviewing the work presented by other Core Team members, as well as the work produced collectively (Indicators, Index, Methodology, Conceptual Framework, Publication...) and provide feedback, comments and suggestions;
Participating with the AKR Technical Team in organizing and preparing substantively any event or meeting to be conducted in connection with the Arab Knowledge Index.

For detailed information, please Refer to Annex I – Terms of Reference.

http://www.lb.undp.org/content/lebanon/en/home/operations/procurement/

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

Extensive knowledge of the region and its knowledge-related challenges and priorities;
Excellent drafting skills with a sound publishing record (both in Arabic and in English);
Strong analytical and synthesis skills;
Ability to work independently and achieve quality results with limited supervision and within tight schedules;
Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A PhD degree in a field that is relevant to Information and Communication Technology (Computer Science, ICT Management or other relevant fields).

Experience:

10 years minimum experience in the thematic area to be addressed including relevant experience in ICT policies in the Arab region, as well as relevant experience in designing and implementing research consultations;
Extensive experience in the thematic area to be covered, including, ICT for sustainable human development (ICT in health, in humanitarian relief…), ICT in the Arab region, policies, infrastructure and networks, ICT and innovation in the Arab region, ICT in education, ICT and doing business in the region

Languages:

Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Kindly refer to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice and all related Annexes by visiting the below link:

http://www.lb.undp.org/content/lebanon/en/home/operations/procurement/

Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.