UNDP Jobs - 82895- Internet Connectivity Network Engineer

Internet Connectivity Network Engineer - International Consultant

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2019

Application Deadline :

25-Jan-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

February 1, 2019 to March 15, 2019

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

Project Title: Pipol Konek

Project Description

The Philippines is recognized as a high user of online services: an estimated 67 Million Filipinos use Facebook. Yet 59% of the population and 72% of all households’ lack access to the internet. Despite passage of the Free Internet in Public Places Act (2017) that mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to provide internet access free at the point of service, progress to expand the number connected has been slow, with less than 10% of an initial target total of 13,024 sites (increasing to 200,000 sites by 2026) reached since June 2016. Difficulties in bidding processes and implementation challenges have slowed progress and limited access to cost-effective and up-to-date technology options.

The proposed project will support DICT’s commitment to accelerate the roll-out of the Pipol Konek program which is designed to provide free wi-fi internet access in public places. Working in partnership with DICT, UNDP will bid out managed services contracts for designated areas that currently have no or limited access to internet in public places, including educational institutions, local government buildings, public parks and plazas and other public buildings and facilities. This phase of the DICT-UNDP partnership aims to expand internet access in more than 6,000 additional sites in 66 provinces.

The project will contribute to closing the digital divide in the Philippines by providing incentives to encourage new and existing service providers to expand internet coverage in designated areas. The project will incorporate third-party monitoring mechanisms to ensure internet service providers meet service quality standards. The project will also include resources to develop the capacity of DICT staff to oversee the procurement, management and implementation of future largescale ICT investments.

An initial set of bidding documents has been prepared but they require review and revision to ensure they are fully fit-for-purpose in terms of enable maximum market participation from local and international players and encourage the use of the most appropriate and cost-effective technology solutions.

Institutional Arrangements

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Philippines Country Director, the Consultant will report directly to the Senior Advisor. The UNDP Philippines Country Director, with endorsement of the Senior Advisor, will be the final approving authority for the outputs of the consultant.
The IC will maintain pro-active communications with the responsible officer in UNDP and provide a short interim report at the end of the first week of the mission, highlighting main findings and any specific concerns or issues that need to be addressed during subsequent meetings and discussions.
The IC is expected to meet with staff at the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, telecoms companies, other private sector providers of internet services, internet citizen groups, and major public sector internet clients such as state universities and colleges including possible field trips to gauge the local context for internet service provision.
UNDP will not provide any equipment but will arrange for office facilities, support personnel, and logistical support during the in-country mission dates.
In-country travel may be required as part of the assignment.Payment of travel costs including economy class tickets, terminal expenses and provision for accommodation allowance will be agreed upon, between UNDP and the Consultant prior to travel

Duration of Work

The contract will be for 20 working days with an estimated start date of February 1, 2019 and end date of 15 March 2019.
Comments will be provided to the consultant within two weeks of submission of the draft outputs. The consultant is expected to respond to comments raised and submit a final report within one week of receipt of comments provided.

Duty Station

Home based with one mission to Manila, Philippines

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on a Lump Sum Amount. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration. Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

Deliverable 1:Interim report, includes initial review of project documentation, initial assessment and areas to further review during Mission; draft report based on, and including, review of and finalizing bidding documents, consultations with government and other stakeholders, assessment of relevant internet technologies for the Philippines (45%); due no later than 10 working days after start of in-country mission
Deliverable 2:Final report, including final edits to project documents, responding to comments submitted by UNDP Philippines (35%); Due no later than 5 working days following receipt of comments submitted by UNDP Philippines
Deliverable 3: Follow up consultation, bid reviews and evaluation, ad hoc activities (20%); Complete once five 5 working days of activities are conducted

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Review existing bidding documents and make recommendations to improve the design of the specifications to ensure feasibility, coherence and comprehensiveness of the technical specifications for the Philippine context
Undertake a two-week mission to the Philippines to:
- Consult with local DICT team to clarify the purpose and rationale of the bidding documents
- Review current state of core network infrastructure architecture, internet service provision and technologies deployed in Philippines to inform appropriate specifications
- Conduct market research for potential service providers inside and outside the country to determine a feasible set of internet technologies and their costs relevant for deployment in the Philippines
Draft revised bidding documents to encourage participation, promote use of cost-effective technologies to reach the last mile, and enable a sustainable business model for the long-term provision of internet in public places, including livelihood opportunities for local communities
Work with UNDP procurement staff to determine the most appropriate process and packaging of the bidding documents to achieve intended outcomes
Provide assistance to UNDP in answering any queries from bidders and, participate in the evaluation process of bids received as the technical expert
Provide assistance to UNDP by overseeing the implementation after award of contracts

Deliverables and Outputs

Bid documents reviewed for feasibility, coherence and comprehensiveness of the technical specifications for the Philippine context.
Provide comprehensive mission report including all important aspects of discussions with DICT, current state of internet service provision and technologies deployed and market research for potential service providers and feasible set of internet technologies and their costs relevant for deployment in the Philippines.
Draft bidding documents.
Recommended procurement strategy.
Participation in evaluation of bidding documents along with UNDP staff.

Competencies

Competencies

Corporate

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values and ethical standards
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Promotes UNDP’s agenda in meetings

Functional

Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
Comprehensiveness knowledge of IT systems and internet service provision in remote contexts;
Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Positive, constructive attitude to work;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

Education (30 points)

Master's degree in Information Technology/Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Electronics and Communications Engineering or related subject
Technical certification demonstrating training in network systems architecture, network engineering or related field

Experience

At least 5 years’ experience as a senior IT manager/consultant with responsibility for designing, delivering and managing the deployment of internet services (50 points)
Developing country experience in Asia (10 points)

Language requirements

Fluency of English language is required (10 points)

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

The selection of the successful contractor must be based in the following qualifications (with the appropriate obtainable points that should be 100 points in total):

Education (30 points)

Master's degree in Information Technology/Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Electronics and Communications Engineering or related subject
Technical certification demonstrating training in network systems architecture, network engineering or related field

Experience

At least 5 years’ experience as a senior IT manager/consultant with responsibility for designing, delivering and managing the deployment of internet services (50 points)
Developing country experience in Asia (10 points)

Language requirements

Fluency of English language is required (10 points) - Minimum passing score is 70 out of 100 points

Documentation Required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided.
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
Technical proposal, including a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
Financial proposal, as per template provided.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.

Application requirements should be emailed to procurement.ph@undp.org on or before Friday, 25 January 2019, 5:00 pm (Manila time).

Attachments in this link:

Letter of Confirmation/Financial Proposal Template
P11 Personal History Template
UNDP IC General Terms and Conditions

In view of the volume of applications UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.