Background

The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (the ‘Global Centre’) aims to identify, co-design and share innovative and technological solutions for sustainable development. We aim to catalyse new insights, partnerships and action on the ground in the countries where UNDP works. Our initial areas of focus are: Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Finance, and Smart Cities and Digitalisation. We aim to leverage expertise in Singapore, as well as across the network of 60+ new UNDP Accelerator Labs, and from experts and partners around the globe.

The Global Centre is a joint initiative of the Singapore Government and UNDP, currently being led by a small team that is focused on programme and partnership development – both with the public and private sector in Singapore and international partners (including the above UNDP network). Singapore Government partners include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), the Public Service Division, and the Economic Development Board (EDB).

As part of our work on Smart Cities and Digitalisation, we are looking to commission a consultant to undertake a comparative study on national data approaches – with a particular focus on cross-border data exchange, data localisation, and data governance more broadly – including the norms and principles that could inform data sharing within and between countries. Increasingly, there is a need to share data across national borders – whether to facilitate trade, or for public service delivery. In this context, we need to shape a system – informed by the above principles – to ensure that data can smoothly flow across borders in order to achieve a number of social, economic, and political objectives.

This is a foundational element of digital transformation, and has particular relevance for the Smart Nation Programme Office here in Singapore – and will play a key role in informing discussions regarding data governance in the countries where UNDP works. This work could also contribute to the explorations of the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation, including those highlighted in their 2019 report ‘The Age of Digital Interdependence’.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of the Centre, and the Advisor on Smart Cities and Digitalisation, the Consultant will deliver a comparative study of national data approaches – including how countries are exploring cross-border data exchange. This comparative study will focus on a number of countries in the ASEAN region, identified following an initial rapid desk review of best practice (and in consultation with the Smart Nation Programme Office and the Global Centre). The objective of the study will be to identify the national and international structures, standards, norms and principles needed to shape cross-border dataflows.

The comparative study is likely to comprise the below elements:

• National laws, policies, and structures: the legislation, regulation, and other guidelines that inform how the above governments have approached cross-border sharing and the broader concept of open data. This could also include the role of agencies and departments, or other initiatives, responsible for managing this approach.
• Data architecture and standards: the structures and requirements that drive cross-border data sharing, including APIs, exchange platforms, canonical data registries, standards associated with specific activities (such as digital payments), data management frameworks, and other technological (and ideological) approaches.
• Data collection and usage: the processes through which citizen data is collected and used. This includes concepts like data minimisation, but also the role of the private sector and wider ecosystem (for example, Mobile Network Operator data; how the private sector uses open data, etc.), and how data is used to inform policymaking. These areas should be explored in a national and cross-border (international) context.
• Data storage: where and how data is being stored, including localisation of data (and linkages with ‘data sovereignty’) and other data residency requirements (including any limitations or restrictions regarding cross-border data transfer).
• Data protection: how data is being owned and managed, at all stages of the data lifecycle – from collection, through to archiving and deletion (where required); and data privacy regulations and other protections. This should include the roles of national governments, and the norms and principles that guide cross-border data flows.
• Data sharing: different approaches to data sharing and enhanced data access – including data portability and regulatory sandboxes.
• Overarching cross-border data dynamics: the incentives, structures (including data standards and protection mechanisms), data transfer mechanisms, and norms and principles needed to ensure that data flows across borders – including identifying ‘best practice’ (for example, how such solutions operate effectively so as not to impact on international trade).

With regard to the latter aspect, we would be particularly interested in any attempt to quantify – through an example use-case or similar approach – the monetary and non-monetary value of cross-border data flows. This could include the economic value-add of each element of the data lifecycle. For example, the stages of data collection, processing, analytics, and the value arising from data-informed decision-making.  

More widely, the cultural ‘shift’ to open data – in government, and across associated industries – could also be a likely component of this work. This may include the data skills needed in government, the governance structures needed more widely – including, for example, citizen ownership and control of their data; as well as the stakeholders involved in driving these developments (internal, external, national, donors, etc.).

The above is not an exhaustive list, and will likely be refined during the inception phase of the work – both following the initial rapid desk review, and in consultation with project stakeholders.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Through desk research and stakeholder interviews, the consultant will produce the following outputs:

• An initial identification of priority countries (based on a rapid evidence review, and consultation with the Smart Nation Programme Office and the Global Centre) of no more than three pages;
• A methodology document, setting out the approach to this project and expected stakeholder interviewees (if any) and research sources, of no more than three pages;
• A draft report, with two-page country profiles as an Annex;
• A final report, of no more than thirty pages (excluding the above Annex) following feedback from the Smart Nation Programme Office and the Global Centre.

All deliverables must be in English, and use accessible language suitable for a policymaker audience.

Beyond the above, the consultant will also produce weekly status reports to the Advisor on Digitalisation and Smart Cities (in a format to be agreed between the two parties).

The consultant will use their own equipment to complete the assignment.

Intellectual Property

All information collected for the report pertaining to the assignments as well as outputs produced under this contract shall remain the property of the UNDP who shall have exclusive rights over their use. The products shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever format without written permission of UNDP in line with the national and International Copyright Laws applicable.

Institutional Arrangement/ Reporting Relationships

The IC will report to the Advisor on Digitalization and Smart Cities and, if needed, will work closely with colleagues from the other focus areas of Sustainable Agriculture, and Sustainable Finance.

Durations of the Work

Up to a maximum of 25 working days. The expected starting date is 15 June 2020, and the expected end date is 14 August 2020.

Duty Station

The assignment will be home-based, with possible travel to field locations (field travel to be covered by UNDP).

Contracts based on daily fee:

Payment to the IC will be made based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager;

The workweek will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7-hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.

The estimated maximum number of workdays for the duration of the consultancy is as follows:

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

• Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Organisational Awareness:

• Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients;
• Excellent knowledge of development issues and internationally-agreed development goals;

Working in Teams:

• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.
• Ability to work at ease in a multicultural setting.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner;
• Strong communication skills and the ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.

Self-Management and Emotional Intelligence:

• Creating synergies through self-control, tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning:

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Functional competencies:

• Substantive knowledge on digital technologies and data management strategies for public administrations; desirable if applied in a developing country context;
• Experience in design, production, development and dissemination of knowledge products and reports;
• Ability to engage collaboratively with partners (including other UN agencies), donors, and other development stakeholders;
• Ability to design and conduct interviews;
• Excellent organisational skills and proven ability to deliver projects within assigned deadlines;
• Ability to be flexible and respond to changes as part of the review and feedback process.
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to details;
• Good familiarity with social media, web content management and other online tools for collaboration, knowledge sharing and communication.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field. Equivalent relevant experience combined with a bachelor’s degree may also be considered.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional working experience in relevant fields, which may include assisting public authorities in defining or implementing their digitalisation and data management strategies (required);
• A minimum of two years working in international development (desirable);
• A minimum of two years working in knowledge management within a national or international organization (required);
• A minimum of one year working in the ASEAN region (desirable);
• Proven experience organizing and managing events and workshops (desirable);
• Knowledge of the UN system (desirable);
• Proven ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, and to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality standards (required);
• Proficiency and proven experience in the use of Microsoft Office suite, e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point (required);
• Country Office experience with international organizations or with UNDP (desirable).

Language:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English required. Proficiency in other official UN languages is an asset.

Documents to be included when submitting proposals

Interested individual applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (Annex 1) provided by UNDP;
2. Technical Proposal with brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment; and
3. Financial Proposal (Annex 1)  should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7 hour working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month). The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
4. Personal CV or P11 indicating all past experiences from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references.

How to Apply:

• Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability and  General Terms and Conditions;
• Complete the Letter of interest attached financial proposal (as per the requirements mentioned above);
• Read and agree to the General Terms & Conditions;
• Click the ‘apply’ icon and complete what is required;
• Scan all documents into 1 pdf folder and then upload;
• For clarification question, please email to procurement.my@undp.org. The clarification question deadline is three (3) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2020/029" as the subject matter.

Forms and General terms & conditions to be downloaded:

• The UN Personal History Form (P11) is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/P11%20for%20SC%20&%20IC.doc?download
• The Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Financial Proposal at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Letter%20of%20Interest%20_Annex%201.docx?download
• The General Terms & Conditions for Individual contract is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/General%20Conditions%20of%20Contract%20for%20IC.pdf?download 
• The General Terms & Conditions for Reimbursement Loan Agreement is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement%20_%20Terms%20&%20Conditions.pdf?download 

Important Note:

The Individual Contractor is required to have the aforementioned professional and technical qualifications. Only the applicants who hold these qualifications will be shortlisted and contacted.

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below.  Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weigh 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points):

The technical evaluation will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Experience working in the domain of data management and digitalisation with public authorities – Weight: 15%; Maximum Points: 15;
• Number of years working in knowledge management and producing similar reports in the past for national authorities or multilateral organisations – Weight: 10%; Maximum Points: 10;
• Proven work experience and knowledge of data management principles in public domains  – Weight: 10%; Maximum Points: 10;
• Experience in organising and conducting workshops – Weight: 5%; Maximum Points: 5;
• Interview, only for shortlisted candidates – Weight: 30%, Maximum Points: 30

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
• y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
• µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into a contract with UNDP.