Background

UNDP strives to have a workforce, which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. UNDP does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS status. All selections are on merit.

Background: The UN General Assembly, and all its 193-member countries, in September 2015 adopted a global development vision entitled Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 2030 Agenda was designed as a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.  It lays out 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, to stimulate global action over the next 15 years on issues critical to humanity and the planet. India committed to these SDGs at the September 2015 UN Summit and the SDGs officially came into force on 1 January 2016. The Government of India has actively engaged in nationalizing the SDGs from early 2016. NITI Aayog, the National Institution for Transforming India, has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the efforts on SDGs with ministries and states, indicative of “whole of government” approach. The NITI Aayog has prepared an Action Agenda (3 Years) and is preparing medium term perspective plan (7 years) and long term (15 years) goals for the country through a 15-year vision document for a period up to 2030, which will be co-terminus with sustainable development goals. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has prepared a Draft National Monitoring Framework consisting of 306 Indicators. At National level a High-Level Steering Committee has been constituted for refining the indicators which will emerge as backbone on the development interventions of the country.

The UNDP India Country Programme Document CPD (2018-2022) signed with the Government of India (GoI) aims at transformative change and development impact at scale. In line with this, UNDP has initiated active support to many state governments in mainstreaming SDG’s within their schemes and programmes as a part of an UN system wide to SDG roll out for visioning and planning in India. In view of India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, Uttarakhand too has set ambitious targets for itself for achieving the SDGs within the state and has already formulation its SDG Vison 2030 document.

In Uttarakhand, of 6.2 million people in the age group 15–59 years in 2010, 3.2 million participate in the labor force (51 percent labor force participation rate—75 percent for male, 28 percent for female), and 16 percent of the total labor force is in wage employment. This is one of the unique characteristics of workers in Uttarakhand, which has also contributed to the fast-economic growth of the state, that is high mobility. The working-age population is more likely to migrate both intrastate and interstate.[1] However, the overall job growth in the state has been negative since 2005. Moreover, the share of workers with salaried jobs remains quite low. The nonfarm sectors of Uttarakhand’s economy are not creating enough jobs to absorb the growing size of its population that is not in school. This is especially so for the state’s women, whose participation in the labor force has been declining since 1994.

Therefore, the development of the skills and training sector in terms of access, quality, and relevance is one of the country’s top priorities and the Government of Uttarakhand (GoUK) is equally committed to these goals.

Uttarakhand Policy for Skill Development, Employment & Entrepreneurship 2017

The draft policy recognizes the need of scaling efforts for skill development and entrepreneurship across the State and provides the framework for skill development activities in the state for Increasing e the employability of workers, the competitiveness of enterprise, and lead to less than 4% unemployment rate. The policy envisages the creation of an integrated institutional mechanism with the Uttarakhand Skill Development Mission as the Nodal agency for skill development and Employment activities- as single window for the stakeholders for skill development, employment activities, , with a Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship cell in other State Government departments.

The Uttarakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP)

To improve the quality and relevance of training at priority Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and to increase the number of labor-market-relevant workers through short-term training in Uttarakhand, a project has been signed with World Bank on Uttarakhand Workforce Development. The Country Partnership Strategy of World Bank Group, India expresses that it will contribute to the 12th Five Year Plan target of providing skills training to 400 million workers by 2022. The project will contribute to these objectives by supporting Uttarakhand to strengthen the delivery of skills and training programs to produce higher-quality workers with relevant market skills and increasing access. This state-level skills development project would also play a strategic role in the World Bank’s engagement in the skills agenda at the national level. An in-depth experience and lessons from Uttarakhand would inform the national-level engagement and could also provide a demonstration effect. There would be close linkages and synergies between the proposed project and the national-level engagements.

The Uttarakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP) has the following three components. Components 1 and 2 use a Result-based Financing (RBF) approach using Disbursement-linked Indicators (DLIs), and Component 3 uses traditional expenditure-based financing.

• Component 1: Improving the Quality and Relevance of ITI Training
• Component 2: Increasing the number of Skilled Workers through Short-term Training
• Component 3: Policy and Institutional Development and Project Management.

UNDP as a technical support agency

UNDP will provide support to the Department of Skill Development and Employment (DSDE) and Uttarakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP) in hiring of team of professionals and provide capacity building support through trainings, workshops, exposure visits and Knowledge Management along with documentation of best practices. In context of above, UNDP is looking to hire a Senior Consultant (MIS and IT) to support the State Project Implementation Unit of UKWDP /Department of Skill Development and Employment in implementation of the project. The Senior Consultant (IT and MIS) would be placed with the SPIU of UKWDP, DSDE, Uttarakhand.

Duties and Responsibilities

Senior Consultant (IT and MIS) shall be responsible for:

Support the government departments in developing online Management Information Systems to ensure smooth monitoring, execution and evaluation of the various state government schemes and Programme.

• Understand the needs of the departments regarding creation of Management Information System to streamline their public service delivery and prepare notes regarding the end to end action related to creation of the MIS.
• Assess the system requirements in consultation with the departments and suggest potential IT solutions based on both technical and implementation suitability;
• Technical assistance to translate departments requirement by designing techniques for the most efficient and cost-effective and sustainable IT solutions;
• Provide insights on the micro and macro aspects of the MIS design, costing for the same, technical and technological aspects required and a detailed note on the plan of action.
• Oversee the development of the MIS in close coordination with the developer and the departments.
• Development and implementation of Information Management systems and strategies
• Design, develop and manage databases, spreadsheets and other data tools; understand, document, and ensure the quality of high-value humanitarian data for accuracy, consistency and comparability; consolidate operational information on a regular schedule to support analysis.
• Produce and update information products such as reports, charts and infographics by turning data into graphical products to convey messages and a storyline; develop advocacy materials including posters, presentations and other visual materials.
• Manage content on relevant web platforms, provide overall quality control for the platform and ensure content is current, comprehensive and follows relevant metadata standards; work with external counterparts on related web platforms such as agency and departments, to facilitate cross-site search and interoperability.
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Review of the existing Management Information Systems and provide suggestions for improvisation

• Assess existing hardware, recommend and specify modifications/additions to the hardware, and ensure software and hardware compatibility.
• Physical networking has to be included with interface with the internet. Access mechanisms and security should be defined and documented.
• Follow-up with implementing partners for resolution of issues, eradicating bugs.
• Tracking and facilitating the upgradation of IT solutions as and when required.
• Manage and track data and ensure data security; - data quality(output).
• Coordinate with implementation partners for performance guarantee. (performance standard met is the output, functionality)
• Ensure update of the system.
• Provide technical inputs during User Training (Train the Trainers).
• Software Documentation.

Making tools for analytics and report as and when required

• Create tools for survey analysis, analytics and visualization of the information etc

Coordinate the internet of things on behalf of the State digital strategy

• Guide the State on application of Geographic Information System into the project monitoring and support in linking the schemes, public service delivery etc. with the cartographs.

Support the center in management of the UKWDP Dashboard and linking it with all departments for systematic reporting

• Regularly examine the existing IT systems, track flow of data and recommend changes/Updating etc. to make the system more effective for its optimum utilization and in line with emerging technologies.
• Assisting in the development of, and migration to, new platforms the legacy data from the existing systems.
• Liaise with concerned departments for smooth functionality of the IT systems at different levels, resolution of system related issues, and eradication of bugs, provide clarifications to the states on system-based queries etc.
• Liaise with the concerned departments on the system maintenance and upgradation, if required.
• Manage and track data and ensure data security.
• Perform the role of the Administrator for the IT enabled systems in consultation with the concerned departments.

Support the state government in developing strategies for the effective roll-out of UKWDP:

• Advise the DSDE of the Uttarakhand Government on social media platform creation and driving the communication strategy
• Undertake the training need assessment and support it for the effective and timely implementation of the IT systems at the national and state level.
• Prepare User Manuals, training module, plan and organize training of various stakeholders at national and state level for effective use of the IT solutions.
• Assist in generating reports to meet the reporting requirements of various stakeholders.

Mapping of Existing Resources & employment, including local skills, skill gaps, skill infrastructure available under public and private sectors

• Identify latest trends and requirements of the industry, current and future skill sets and workforce requirement and available skill training resources of the State to be placed on an MIS portal to help assess the skill gaps and existing resources at the District and the Block level to leverage on strengths of an area.

Facilitate the Post Placement Tracking may done to maintain a central repository of certified youth to make them available to employers and keep it aligned to the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme.

Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Should have exposure to social mobilization processes, tools and techniques.
• Continually seeks improvement.
• Collaborates to improve methods and delivery
• Anticipates constraints and identifies solutions.
• Anticipates obstacles and applies practical solutions.
• Embraces new methods.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Excellent analytical skills particularly with social processes.
• Good communication and drafting skills
• Able to present complex, conceptual ideas in simple, persuasive terms
• Makes new ideas work.
• Critically assesses value and relevance of existing thinking and policy.
• Embraces difficult obstacles that interfere with getting work done.
• Strives to improve team reputation.
• Expands capacity of team to deliver on time and on target.
• Accountable for project implementation and/or team deliverables.
• Interprets policy within context and applies with judgment.

Management and Leadership

• Ability to work in a team and train staff on the job on social mobilization tools
• Analyses complex problems systematically and efficiently. Focuses on critical details while managing a broad perspective. Draws accurate conclusions and makes sound decisions.
• Uses initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results on deadline and on budget.
• Demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability.
• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Demonstrates strong conflict-resolution skills.
• Handles confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Corporate Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Demonstrates Integrity and ethical standards.
• Ensures the principles of gender equality, democratic governance, social inclusion and disaster resilience are effectively reflected in all project activities;
• Ensures that gender equality is pursued in all project activities and reflected in work plans, budgets, reports, researches, analyses and, where specifically relevant, analyzed in detail.
• Ensures that accessibility for persons with disabilities is reflected in all project activities.
• Consults regularly with other UNDP projects and programs on related activities where synergies are possible.
• Strives to engage groups and communities in project activities that affect them.
• Communicates project goals and activities clearly to both stakeholders and the wider public.

Essential Competencies

• Demonstrated willingness to stay, be with and work with the poor;
• Pro-poor facilitation; orientation; tenacity; self-control; strategic influencing; concern with impact; de-learning and learning orientation;
• Understanding and experience of poverty, vulnerability and livelihoods of the poor;
• Specific domain understanding
• Promotes and enforces ethics and integrity and creates precedence in good practice
• Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, ability to take initiative, adopt a corporate approach to complex situations

Creates and promotes an enabling environment for open communication Ability to work independently and under pressure

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications

• B. Tech in Computer Science or Information Technology and MBA with at least 5 years relevant experience.

Language Requirements: Fluency in written and oral English and Hindi.

Desired Work Experience:

• Atleast 5 years of progressive professional work experience in MIS/ GIS/ Web Design and other related activities.
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems as well as developing and designing websites.
• Experience in troubleshooting JAVA and Android based applications.
• Hands-on experience of working on Open source technologies- LAMP platform, Dhrupal and other Content Management Systems.
• Knowledge of JAVA programming
• Database management experience on MySQL/ MariDB/ any others.
• Experience in the design and development of surveys, including user requirements, form design, survey implementation, data entry, data cleaning and analysis an advantage.
• Hands on experience on Power BI and/or Tableau, Google Forms/KOBO/ODK/Survey Monkey/ Any other.
• Must have experience of working with Govt. at national/ state level.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Official Travel:

All official travel must be authorized and certified in advance. Candidates will be entitled to get TA/DA as per government rules from SPU/DSDE and in case of official journey outside the state, prior approval of disaster management cell shall be required.

Schedule of Payments

Consolidated annual consultancy fee (Remunerative) of Rs 12,00,000, monthly payment would be release upon submission of monthly progress report certified by the reporting officer.

Institutional Arrangement

• Contact will be administered by UNDP on behalf of the state government of Uttarakhand.
• The Senior Consultant would report to Director, Uttarakhand work force development project, Government of Uttarakhand;
• All the logistic support related official travel will be borne by the Government of Uttarakhand as per their prevailing rules.
• The Senior Consultant will be entitled for 2 days leave per month (non-encashable).

Documentation Required

Personal CV indicating all past experiences from similar projects, as well as the contact details(email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least 3 professional references.

Evaluation Method and criteria

Step 1: Short listing would be done based on the following criteria:

• Educational Qualification - 30 Marks;
• Relevant Experience - 40 Marks;

Step 2: Personal Interviews (Face to Face/ Skype)

• Suitability for the assignment - 30 Marks;

Only shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview. The interviews will be conducted based on the competencies (skills) required as per the ToR. Final selection will be done on the basis of merit/marks secured in interview process.

If face-to-face interviews are conducted, travel costs will be borne by the shortlisted candidate.

Note: Please ensure that all the documents to be uploaded should be combined in a single pdf file as the system has provision of uploading only one document.

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.