Background

The National Planning Authority (NPA) has kick started the process of conducting a Mid-Term Review (MTR) of NDP III (FY2020/21 – FY2024/25) as provided for within the Plan, and as required under the Comprehensive National Development Planning Framework (CNDPF) and the Uganda Vision 2040. The MTR is structured along six thematic areas of: i) Policy and Strategic Direction; ii) Programme Design and Institutional framework; iii) Economic Management; iv) M&E Framework; v) Partnerships; and vi) Local Economic Development. The NDPs are designed to achieve the Uganda’s Vision 2040 aspiration of “transforming Ugandans from peasantry to modernity and prosperity within 30 years”. As such, the implementation of the NDPIII marks a half year journey to realise the Vision 2040 targets.

The Digital Transformation Programme is among the 20 programmes that were identified in the NDPIII. It aims to increase ICT penetration and use of ICT services for social and economic development by: Increasing the national ICT infrastructure coverage; Enhancing usage of ICT in national development and service delivery; Promoting ICT research, innovation and commercialization of indigenous knowledge products; Increasing the ICT human resource capital and strengthening the policy, legal and regulatory framework. In addition, Digitalization was identified as an NDP focus area which was mainstreamed across all NDP programmes, with support from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

Whereas the MTR will cover these key focus areas, there is need to comprehensively assess the extent of integration of digital technology across the economy for purposes of identifying challenges and emerging issues, generating recommendations and possible reforms that could be addressed in the remaining period of the NDP III implementation, as well as inform the design of NDP IV (2025/26-2029/30).

UNCDF therefore seeks tosupport the Authority to undertake an in-depth diagnostic study on the Digital Transformation Programme that will provide additional and complementary analysis and insights for the MTR of the NDP III, and the end evaluation of the NDP II with regards to the digital transformation of the country

UNCDF would like to hire National Consultant (Uganda National) to conduct a diagnostic study on the digital transformation programme to support the mid-term-review of uganda's third national development plan (NDPIII) and evaluation of NDPII

Application Documents can be Accessed and downloaded from the below link:

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=93975

The application should include the following documents/information:

  1. Letter of Interest
  2. Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) and at least three (3) professional references.
  3. Brief description of why the Consultant considers her/himself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology on how to approach and accomplish the assignment.
  4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.

Financial proposal (in template provided in Annex 2) stating an all-inclusive fixed lump-sum fee for this assignment in Ugandan Shillings, supported by a breakdown of costs/ fee per working day. Such total lump sum price must include professional fee, and costs necessary to conduct the assignment such as communication costs, etc. The consultant will be paid against the completion of specific, measurable deliverables as identified in this TOR.

Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants for any inquiries should send an email to:  ug.procurement@undp.org

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary objective of the diagnostic study is to contribute to the successful completion of the MTR of the NDPIII and the end evaluation of the NDPII.

The specific objectives are follows:

  1. To assess progress made against the results of the NDPII and NDPIII under the Digital Transformation Programme and to identify the corresponding lessons learned.
  • Analyze the current situation, progress made against the DTP targets and public and private financing against the plan projections.
  • Assess community-level experiences and perceptions.
  • Analyze the main drivers and opportunities therein.
  • Identify the factors that have proved critical or hindered progress with regards to the digital transformation in both NDP II and NDP III.
  • Assess the extent to which the NDP II and NDP III have guided policies, strategic planning, budgeting and actions.
  • Assess the impacts (positive and negative) of policy, planning and budget actions under the NDPII and NDPIII periods.
  • Assess the institutional functions under programme-based planning and budgeting approach and provide the necessary adjustments to facilitate and enhance compliance between the plan and the programme-based approaches.
  1. To identify evidence-based, justified and detailed short-term (NDPIII), medium-term (NDPIV) and long-term adjustments and actions.
  • Assess the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the implementation mechanisms for both the NDPII and NDPIII and outline the necessary improvements.
  • Analyze lessons learned during the implementation of the DTP.
  • Identify international best practices in ICT implementation and digitalization relevant to Uganda.
  • Identify and justify priority lessons learned and recommendations in ICT implementation and digitalization for the medium- term (NDPIV).
  • Provide evidence/ best practices-based guidance on alternative policies, strategic priorities and actions in furthering ICT use and penetration to achieve better results within Uganda’s setting.
  • Assess the NDPII and NDPIII governance and make recommendations for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Competencies

Personal Competencies:  

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards.
  • Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
  • Demonstrates and promotes the values of the UN in actions and decisions and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants.
  • Shows willingness to work without bias with all persons regardless of gender, nationality, religion, or culture.
  • Contributes effectively to team-based activities, working collaboratively and sharing information openly; works effectively with colleagues inside the UN as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.

Required Skills and Experience

A minimum of a Master's degree or equivalent in ICT engineering or related fields.

Skills & Experience:

  • At least 10 years of successful national and or international working experience in the area of technical consulting support in the ICT sector.
  • Profound working experience in the design, review and/or evaluation of medium –term ICT sector strategic plans and/or ICT sector investment plans.
  • Profound knowledge about how ICT can foster and catalyze sustainable development and improve lives through enhanced education-, health-, innovation and infrastructure development.
  • Profound knowledge of ICT infrastructure and ICT governance in Uganda.
  • Extensive experience in research and policy-related analysis;
  • Fluency in both spoken and written English is mandatory