Re-advertisement - Lab Manager - (Those who previously applied do not need to apply again)


Location : Kampala, UGANDA
Application Deadline :23-Oct-13 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract :Individual Contract
Post Level :International Consultant
Languages Required :
 English  
Expected Duration of Assignment :6 Months

Background
Global Pulse is an innovation initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, established to harness today’s new world of digital data and real-time analytics to gain a better understanding of changes in human well-being. Global Pulse aims to contribute a future in which access to better information sooner makes it possible to keep international development on track, protect the world's most vulnerable populations, and strengthen resilience to global shocks. Global Pulse is being implemented as a global network of Pulse Labs, bringing together expertise from UN agencies, governments, academia, and the private sector to research, develop, test and share tools and approaches for harnessing real-time data for more effective and efficient policy action. For more information on Global Pulse go to http://www.unglobalpulse.org.
                                                   
Pulse Lab Kampala

Global Pulse is establishing an innovation hub for real-time monitoring in Kampala. The Lab will function as an open innovation space where policy experts together with UN development practitioners and other partners experiment with new types of data and emerging technologies to evaluate their potential to enhance both public policy decision-making and community resilience. Following the development of useful approaches, Pulse Lab Kampala will support institutional adoption of these innovations into policy and practice.
 
Working Relationships

The Lab Manager will report to the UN Resident Coordinator. The position implies frequent interaction with the following:
 
Designated department heads in Government, donor representatives, officials from non-governmental organizations, international organizations, consultants, civil society, and senior officials from the private sector. It also entails interface and coordination with the UN Country Team, and its attendant working groups.
 
As Team Leader, the Lab Manager will have responsibility for the successful implementation of Global Pulse in Uganda. This position will provide strategic leadership and bear primary administrative responsibility for all activities aimed at fulfilling the Lab objectives. The incumbent is expected to ensure that he Lab's technical approach remains cognizant of local realities on both technical and infrastructural environments, and is responsible for forging high-value relationships and building sustainable and effective solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Provide the overarching strategy, direction and management for Pulse Lab Kampala in line with the overall Global Pulse strategy and goals;
  • Provide high level programmatic/technical support and capacity building to local partners as appropriate to build support for the project;
  • Ensure inclusion into and demonstrate added value to delivering the United Nations mandate in Uganda;
  • Coordinate and network effectively with Government and other stakeholders regarding project planning, monitoring, execution and deliverables;
  • Manage a highly skilled team and foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, collaboration, experimentation, and commitment to embodying the highest ideals of the United Nations;
  •  Advocate the goals of Global Pulse and the work of Pulse Lab Kampala in relevant forums (e.g. conferences, workshops);
  • Ensure adherence to UN guidelines, rules and regulations in financial management and accountability;
  • Provide strategic and substantive innovation-related content for high level communications, speeches, publications, and statements;
  • Seek private and public funding for Pulse Lab Kampala activities;
  • Drive the Big Data for Development and Data Philanthropy movements through Thought Leadership in Uganda and the greater East Africa region;
  • Maintain relationships with Pulse labs in other countries, sharing knowledge, ideas and expertise.
 Expected Outputs and Deliverables
  • Provide oversight during office set-up process. Required monthly;
  • One year Lab implementation plan. Required by the end of the fourth month;
  • Six-month big data research project plan based on UN Country Team needs. Required by the end of the fifth month;
  • Report on priority public sector (Government) partnerships; need for formal agreements identified. Required by the end of the sixth month;
  • Establish Lab advisory bodies (technical & steering). Required by the end of the sixth month;
  • Big Data for Development/tech scene events. Required by the end of the sixth month.
 Institutional arrangement
  • The Lab Manager will report to the UN Resident Coordinator/Global Pulse Director;
  • He or she will report on the progress of activities on a weekly basis and this will be done in line with the set deliverables of the assignment;
  • The Consultant will be supported with all required equipment and supporting resources to conduct the required assignment.

Competencies
  • Understanding of big data and data analytics;
  • Strong leadership skills;
  • Ability to effectively lead teams in ambiguous or undefined problem spaces;
  • Excellent communication, public speaking and documentation skills;
  • Ability to manage and mentor teams in rapidly shifting environment;
  • Demonstrated sense of initiative and problem-solving skills;
  • Knowledge of utility of data in non-traditional situations;
  • Understanding of government partner workflows and agendas.
  • Demonstrated administrative management and supervisory skills, including experience working with a culturally diverse staff;
  • Excellent ability to interact with senior management and top government officials;
  • Proven ability to build and manage internal and external relationships.


Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Masters degree in social sciences, public or business administration, international development, international relations, or a technical field relevant to the work of Global Pulse. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
 Experience
  • A minimum of ten (10) years experience in project or knowledge management, design, and implementation;
  • At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in innovation management, project management, management consulting, organizational development, business or public administration management, including three (3) years of which were in a supervisory capacity;
  • Understanding of big data and analytics;
  • Experience in the technology sector or innovation in the private or public sector highly desirable;
  • Experience working in international development an advantage;
Language Requirements:
  • Fluent in English (both oral and written); knowledge of a local language is desirable.
 Evaluation Method and Criteria
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and;
  • Highest Combined Score (based on the 70% technical offer and 30% price weight distribution) where the minimum passing score of technical proposal is 70%.
Evaluation Criteria:
Technical Proposal (Maximum 70 points):
  • Relevance of education – 5 points;
  • Language skills – 5 points;
  • Relevance of experience (professional / work experience)– 30 points;
  • Interpretation of the assignment and methodology – 30 points.
Financial Proposal (Maximum 30 points): To be computed as a ratio of the Proposal’s offer to the lowest price among the proposals received by UNDP.
 
Submission Procedure

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:
  • Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (see Annex II);
  • Updated Personal CV highlighting past experience in similar assignments and with 3 professional references with contact details (email and telephone);
  • Technical Proposal: suggested outline for technical proposal:  The offerors interpretation of the assignment;Approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment.
  • Financial proposal (in template provided in Annex II) stating an all-inclusive fixed lumpsum fee for this assignment in Ugandan Shillings or US Dollars, supported by a breakdown of costs. Such total lump sum price must include professional fee, and costs necessary to conduct the assignment such as communication costs, travel etc. The consultant will be paid against the completion of specific, measurable deliverables as identified in this TOR.
Annexes (to be downloaded from UNDP Uganda Website, procurement notices section: www.undp.or.ug):
  • Annex I: Individual Contractor General Terms and Conditions;
  • Annex II: Template to Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Submit the Financial Proposal.


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.


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