UNDP Jobs - 83250- Individual Consultant - Information Management Spe

Individual Consultant - Information Management Specialist (For Indian National only)

Location :

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Feb-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

03 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Since August 2018, a series of floods and cyclones have affected various states of India. From August 1st to August 20th, the state of Kerala received excessive rains, which triggered several landslides and forced the release of excess water from 37 dams across the state, aggravating the flood impact across the state. The scale of floods in Kerala was unprecedented, which affected 14 districts, and caused a loss of approximately US$ 4 billion.

In October, the very severe cyclonic storm Titli caused extensive damage over northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha districts due to strong winds and floods caused by extremely heavy rainfall. The storm surge of about one-meter height above the astronomical tide inundated low lying areas near the landfall points.

In Odisha, 17 districts with 8,691 villages and an estimated 6 million people were affected. Total of 59 people lost their lives. In AP, two districts with 1,441 were severely affected and 16 people lost their lives. In both states, the cyclone severely damaged infrastructure, buildings, houses, agriculture, livelihoods and industry.

UNDP supported the state governments in responding to these disasters. UNDP helped the government in coordinating response functions and managing information. In Kerala, UNDP set up the Recovery Hub in partnership with other UN agencies, coordinated the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) on behalf of the UN system, and implemented several early recovery interventions.

The PDNA provided a comprehensive assessment of damage and loss, and estimated recovery needs. Following the PDNA, the Government of Kerala has set up a new initiative, Rebuild Kerala Initiative (RKI), to develop recovery plan and implement it. UNDP has decided to provide technical assistance to RKI. In addition, UNDP has recruited and placed a Project Management Unit based in Trivandrum and District Project officers in the seven most affected districts of Kerala.

UNDP has also conveyed its support to other state governments for planning and implementing recovery efforts. Building on its longstanding engagement with state governments, UNDP would provide support to state governments for developing the recovery policy framework, setting up the institutional mechanisms, and providing technical assistance in various sectors. State governments have also responded positively to UNDP’s assistance and sought its assistance in dealing with various aspects of recovery.

In response to Cyclone Titli, UNDP’s state project office in Odisha recruited a project team based in the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) and in the affected districts in the two states.

In view of UNDP’s proposed support to state governments for developing the recovery programme, it has become essential to provide technical assistance through a SURGE Plan. The SURGE Plan will provide the foundation for UNDP’s expanded recovery programme and capacity-building support to all the states. The SURGE Plan will also help UNDP to develop a resilience agenda at the national level in line with the vision of the Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda on DRR and the Sendai Framework.

The CO has identified the need for short-term SURGE Advisors for deployment to support the CO’s programme vision. One of the Surge Advisors will be an Information Management Specialist, who will provide support for information coordination, data management, and other IT requirements in Kerala.

Under the guidance of the Project Coordinator, the Information Management Specialist will act as an expert on information management system for the recovery program. S/he will support UNDP’s involvement in the preparation and coordination of the UNDP Recovery Strategy and develop and manage database and a monitoring system for the RKI. The Specialist will be based in Trivandrum and travel to districts and other states as required for important meetings and monitoring missions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective and Main Tasks

The Information Management Specialist would work with KRI in building the information management system for the recovery and reconstruction program. S/he would set up a monitoring system for the recovery program and develop a database of program beneficiaries. In addition to the programme in Kerala, the Information Management Specialist would also provide support for recovery projects in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Assisted by the UN Staff, S/he would be responsible for data and information management and IT support under the project. The specific duties and responsibilities would be as follows:

1. Support to the RKI

The Information Management Specialist would assist the RKI in setting up the information and database architecture for the recovery and reconstruction programme. Working with all the partners and stakeholders, s/he would set up a team which could provide information management support on a long-term basis. S/he would assist the UN team in Trivandrum by developing an information management system for the joint UN Recovery Hub as well. S/he would prepare a budget for the IT systems, identify human resource requirements, and suggest a long-term strategy for supporting information management in Kerala.

2. Support to UNDP Recovery Projects in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

In addition to Kerala, the Information Management Specialist would assist the UNDP recovery projects in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala through advising on information management systems for recovery from cyclone Titli. S/he will provide advice on the database and other IT systems that need to be set up for supporting recovery programmes.

3. Setting up a Reporting and Monitoring System

The Information Management Specialist would assist the RKI and the UN system in setting up a reporting and monitoring system for the recovery programme. S/he would identify sources of information, prescribe the forms and returns for the collection of information, and develop the software with external technical assistance for the processing of information and generation of reports.

The Information Management Specialist would assist in the preparation of briefing papers and progress reports for the review of the UN Team. S/he would assist in the concurrent evaluation of the program, and work with the recovery team in preparing progress reports.

4. Developing a Database of Beneficiaries

The Information Management Specialist would coordinate with all the UN agencies in identifying and then developing a database of the program beneficiaries. S/he would set up a system for collection of information related to the delivery of benefits and develop the software for storing and processing information. S/he would develop the database of the program beneficiaries with a gender-specific disaggregation. The database would be web-enabled to make it accessible to all concerned partners. S/he would maintain and update the database on a regular basis and make it available for evaluation and analysis.

5. Communications

The Information Management Specialist would help the RKI to set up, maintain, and continuously update an interactive web site on the recovery program. S/he would provide facilities to all the participants and even citizens to blog their opinions and experiences.

6. Knowledge Management

The Information Management Specialist would be the anchorperson for the knowledge management component of the program. S/he would network with all the UN agencies and other stakeholders in conducting knowledge management activities integral to the implementation of recovery program. S/he would cover a wide gamut of issues under knowledge management such as shelter, access to land, gender participation, disaster risk reduction, adaptation, etc.

As part of the knowledge management activity, the Information Management Specialist would organize workshops, training programs, and discussion groups, and other events which provide opportunity to the participants to share their experiences and discuss the lessons of the program.

Deliverable

Develop an Information Management system for the RKI and the UN system in Kerala and other states
A monitoring and reporting system for the recovery program
Preparation of progress and evaluation Reports
Development of a beneficiaries’ database
Organized interaction with media, and other external stakeholders
Setting up of an interactive web site and its regular update and maintenance
Development of a knowledge management strategy
Development of knowledge management products in collaboration with other consultants: guidelines, manuals, toolkits, brochures
Organization of knowledge management events: workshops, training programs, and discussion forums
Any other task related to information / communication management as may be requested by the UN Team in Trivandrum

Impact of Results

The Information Management Specialist will set up the appropriate information management system for the Recovery Programme in Kerala that will allow the RKI and UNDP to deliver, in the timely and effective manner, the interventions aimed at improving the flow of information, database management, and reporting and monitoring related to the recovery programme. The Information Management Specialist will also foster a culture of knowledge management.

The key results will have an impact on the overall recovery and resilience process and will improve the accountability and transparency of the recovery programme. It will also improve the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of the recovery programme, and contribute to efficient stakeholder coordination, data access, and monitoring system.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting.
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of recovery programmes and projects.
Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative and practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Management and Leadership

Demonstrates team-building capacity including interpersonal and communication skills and ability to cope with a difficult environment where formal institutions of government are at the embryonic stage.
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
Deals diplomatically with challenging bureaucratic processes, and pressure to meet strict deadlines.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Ability to lead effectively with the use of mentoring as well as conflict-resolution skills.
Remains calm, in control, and is good humored even under pressure.
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.
Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must have a minimum of a university degree in information technology, computer science, and communications. Certification for hardware and software support (server, desktops, printers and laptops) would be preferable. A relevant advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) will be an added advantage.

Experience:

Candidates must have a minimum of five years of experience in information management / knowledge management / communication functions, preferably in an international organization. S/he should have the experience of running knowledge networks and interacting with the media.

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of written and spoken English

Other Relevant Skills:

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Ability to work with a large professional team and work through a consultative process
Working knowledge of web applications
Ability and desire to learn new computer and communications skills quickly
Skills for setting up knowledge networks and interactive web sites
Analytical skills for processing information and data
Excellent familiarity with international organizations

Evaluation Method and Criteria

The consultant would be selected based on the following criteria:

Technical: 70 points
- Educational Qualification - 20 Marks
- Relevant Experience - 30 Marks
- Suitability for the assignment - 20 Marks
Financial: 30 points

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Submission of Proposal

1) CV

2) Financial Proposal:
Consultant should specify their daily consultancy fee rate.

Note:
1. Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. would not be reimbursed;
2. Travel, lodging and boarding as per UNDP rules subject to prior approval
3. Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual
4. Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered.

For any clarifications, please write to ic.india@undp.org