UNDP Jobs - 63256- IT Consultant for UN informal Interagency Task Tea

IT Consultant for UN informal Interagency Task Team for Sustainable Procurement in the Health Sector (SPHS)

Location :

Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

05-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated February 2016 – 30 June 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 30 working days

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

The UN’s journey towards their own operational climate neutrality began officially on 5th June 2007 when UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon publicly called on all UN agencies, funds and programmes to ‘go green’ and become climate neutral. Driven initially by the UN initiative “Greening the Blue” (http://www.greeningtheblue.org/), with an interest to promote climate neutrality within the UN, the focus was largely on addressing associated greenhouse gas emissions. However, the Sustainable UN facility in collaboration with sustainability focal points in about 60 UN entities and the HLCM procurement network has extended the focus area onto other critically important purchasing categories as well including the focus on resource depletion and eco- and human-toxicity in the procurement in the context of procurements for the health sector.

UN informal Interagency Task Team on Sustainable Procurement in the Health Sector (SPHS) was established in May 2012 with an aim to leverage the normative mandate and joint procurement volume of participating UN agencies to influence the global health aid market towards reducing its environmental footprint, particularly through the introduction of green procurement criteria. In 2014 global health financing institutions have been approached to join forces in introducing environmental safeguarding policies and green procurement criteria, thereby further strengthening the purchasing power within the global health aid market and SPHS members now include UNDP, UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, UNHCR, UNEP, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNITAID and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. The cumulative purchasing power of SPHS members in the global health aid market is about USD 5 billion annually.

The ability of the SPHS to effectively address the challenge of sustainable procurement hinges on its ability to galvanize collective engagement among public, private and non-profit stakeholders. With an increased engagement with key stakeholders, a number of communication and information related gaps have been identified within the SPHS which need to be addressed, including the necessity of a space for SPHS members to share documents, reports and other content and the necessity of an informal communication channel on the topic of green procurement between SPHS members and key stakeholders from the global market for health aid. The SPHS Website will serve as a knowledge-hub and forum for information sharing between SPHS, SPHS Members, health sector suppliers, and the general public. At the time that the current project begins, the new SPHS Website/CMS will have recently launched. However, several tools /modules will be added to this platform as part of phase 2, with additional data and information sharing functions as part of an integrated platform of tools. Apart from addressing external parties and the interested public on the topic of sustainable procurement in the market for global health aid, the website and integrated tool platform will meet SPHS members’ demand for internal information and knowledge-sharing as well as SPHS demand for internal content management.

Arising from these needs and circumstances, the HHD Team at the IRH is seeking the services of an international consultant with a focus on systems design and analysis (particularly requirements tracking and management), systems integration, as well as technical training resource development to support the next organizational development phase of the SPHS Secretariat. The consultant will produce the tasks listed in the Description of Responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The information technology consultant will facilitate project work between the developers and the SPHS Secretariat for the development of the SPHS Website/CMS integrated tool platform. They will be responsible for reviewing and delivering the final requirements documentation to the Developers, vetted with the SPHS Secretariat, and for creating the Database Entity Relationship Diagram in conjunction with the tool developers.

Under the guidance and supervision of both SPHS Coordinator and Associate Coordinator, the Consultant will:

Review and finalize the system business and technical specifications for delivery to the Development team. Focus will be on revising the documentation from conversations with SPHS and the tool developers to produce a final copy to be used in the development effort.

Lead the Database Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD) development in conjunction with the tool developers for the design of the Online Engagement Tool and Customer Relationship management databases. Verify with SPHS Secretariat that the ERD models are correct from the business perspective.

Ensure that SPHS Secretariat and member agency source data is prepared for import to the CRM and OET database tools.

Work with developer/SPHS to ensure configuration issues and bugs from phase 1 of the SPHS Website/CMS System deployment are resolved.

Test the new tools and work with the developers as they implement the system and integrated tools, to identify gaps and ensure that the tools match the business need, as envisioned by SPHS within the Business & Technical Requirements Specifications for SPHS Website / Content Management System Development Project, Phase 2.

Match the system vision as described within the business requirements document with the work by the tool developers to ensure that they accurately meet the business need for the following tools: a) Document management tool. The consultant will work with the developer to ensure that the new document management system tool is configured to accurately addressing the SPHS business needs/requirements as it is developed, tested and implemented. The consultant will explore options of integrating and maintaining the tool. b) Relationship management database. With an increasing number of members and a global partnership network including suppliers and manufacturers, governments, technical experts, think tanks, health sector organizations and professionals including procurement specialists and civil society organizations there is a need to optimize our relationship management tools. The consultant will work with the developer company to ensure that the new customer relationship management tool is accurately addressing the SPHS business needs/requirements as it is developed, tested and implemented. The consultant will explore options of integrating and maintaining such a tool in the most optimal way. c) Online-tool engagement tool (OET) for recording, analysis and reporting of environmental profiles of suppliers and manufacturers, product categories and products. User-friendly and user-driven, this tool will provide an overview of the environmental performance of the SPHS vendors particularly for procurement practitioners, and serve at the same time as an interactive engagement tool between purchasers and vendors. The consultant will work with the developer company to ensure that the business requirements are accurately understood and addressed by the new OET tool as it is developed, tested and implemented. The consultant will explore options of integrating and maintaining such a tool in the most optimal way. d) Interactive map tool to display editable data as follows: a) the locations of the full SPHS network, and specifically of the SPHS members and Secretariat, suppliers and manufacturers, with configurable pop out details from each b) ability to search for public contributions (events and projects) by location and see pop-out detail c) visual detail of the SPHS, and Member events, activities and projects, as well as those of the public, from Public Contributions to the SPHS Website/CMS.

Ensure successful tool adoption. All IT solutions need to optimize the SPHS programming, management and communication needs in an integrated way. The consultant is expected to facilitate the new SPHS Website/CMS tool platform by working with the SPHS team to ensure that the tools are adopted successfully by SPHS and integrated into their work.

Develop personalized training resources. While the Developer Company will supply standard training and guidance notes (such as system/tool training guides), the consultant will identify and fill any gaps, including the need to personalize training resources to the SPHS context. May include direct support / training, and development of personalized screen views of the new tools for SPHS administrators.

Assess the newly deployed SPHS Website/CMS platform effectiveness in addressing SPHS customer relationship management, document management, and online engagement tool needs, and its success as an integrated knowledge-sharing platform for SPHS, SPHS Members, Suppliers, and the public.

Develop specifications for the further IT development (website, Content Management System, Contact Relationship Management and Online Engagement Tool) related to the SPHS initiative.

Deliverables:

Developed a detailed work plan – 1 week after signing contract;
Worked with SPHS to identify potential vendors, and on the vendor selection process – 1 month after signing contract;
Ensured completeness of system technical specifications and approvals by SPHS Secretariat prior to document hand-off to the tool developers. Includes requirements document updates following initial review and feedback process between the Developer and SPHS – 1 month after signing contract;
Worked with SPHS and the tool developers to create the Database Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD) for the design of the Online Engagement Tool and Customer Relationship management databases. Verified with SPHS Secretariat that the ERD models are correct from the business perspective – 1 month after signing contract;
Worked with SPHS Secretariat & Developer to ensure that the existing procurement and member/supplier contact raw data is prepared for import to the new CRM and OET database tools – 2 months after signing contract;
Developed Technical Issue Management log; identify and work with developer to resolve any tool configuration problems and to fix bugs as development progresses. This will track development progress against the project requirements and serve as an ongoing record of any changes to implemented system functionality identified by SPHS. Consultant will work with developer to ensure that these issues are resolved – ongoing;
Assessed the effectiveness of the existing SPHS Website/CMS platform (deployed portion) as an integrated knowledge-sharing platform for SPHS, SPHS Members, Suppliers, and the public – 2 months after signing contract;
Ensured the successful adoption of the SPHS Website/CMS platform (deployed portion) by the SPHS Secretariat administrative team. Worked with SPHS to ensure that the new Website platform / tools are understood and successfully integrated into their work – 3 months after signing contract;
Developed personalized training resources (guidance notes, technical SOPs and training tools) for SPHS staff and other users of the deployed SPHS Website/CMS platform – 3 months after signing contract;
Developed specifications for the further IT development (including website Content Management System, Content Relationship Management and Online Engagement Tool) related to the SPHS initiative – 4 months after signing contract;
Prepared report on the main tasks, results obtained and lessons learned – 4 month after signing contract.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Demonstrated ability and knowledge in the design and management of websites and complex information management systems. Is conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
Remains calm in stressful situations;
Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Technological awareness:

Keeps abreast of available technology;
Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;
Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Teamwork:

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
Is willing to learn from others;
Places team agenda before personal agenda;
Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Computer Science, Telecommunications or related area;
Additional qualifications (courses, diplomas) from relevant areas, will be regarded as an asset.

Experience:

5+ years of relevant professional experience in IT systems design and analysis in private or public sector on national or international level;
4+ years of previous experience working on IT systems integration, with a focus on identifying and documenting data sharing needs between technical platforms;
2+ years of experience working with database design for either new database systems or existing system enhancements (e.g. developing Entity Relationship Diagrams and creating data models for database enhancements and /or developing technical requirements for database system enhancements);
2+ years of experience developing and maintaining technical issue management logs and in leading and tracking issue resolution process with clients/development teams;
2+ years of experience developing training plans and resources such as technical guidance notes and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) tailored to the business needs;
3+ years of experience working with clients to prepare technical resources such as requirements specifications documents.

Language:

Fluency to communicate project status and perform complex tasks in the English language.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and a financial proposal of a lump sum amount in US$.

The award of the contract should 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 weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria -70% of total evaluation: max 56 points:

Education and additional qualifications (courses, diplomas): max 5 points;
5+ years of relevant professional experience in IT systems design and analysis in private and/or public sector on national or international level: max 10 points;
4+ years of previous experience working on IT systems integration, with a focus on identifying and documenting data sharing needs between technical platforms: max 9 points;
2+ years of experience with database design for either new database systems or existing system enhancements (e.g. developing Entity Relationship Diagrams and creating data models for database enhancements): max 8 points;
2+ years of experience developing and maintaining technical issue management logs and in leading and tracking issue resolution process with clients/development teams: max 8 points;
2+ years of experience developing training plans and resources such as technical guidance notes and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) tailored to the business needs: max 8 points;
3+ years of experience working with clients to prepare technical documentation such as requirements specifications documents: max 8 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation: max 24 points.

Payments:

1st payment: will be made after submission of deliverables 1-4 (25%) – by 15 March 2016;
2nd payment: will be made after completion and submission of deliverables 5 and 7 (25%) – by 15 April 2016;
3rd payment: will be made after completion and submission of deliverables 8-9 (25%) – by 15 May 2016;
4th payment: will be made after completion and submission of deliverables 10-11 (25%) – by 30 June 2016.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying total lump sum amount in USD, including breakdown consisting of a) all-inclusive professional fee for tasks specified in this announcement and b) travel costs (to/from duty station);
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, travel to join the duty station, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Payments will be made on a monthly basis upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.