UNDP Jobs - 93405- Consultant - ICT Coordinator

Consultant - ICT Coordinator - Sri Lankans only

Location :

Colombo (with some travel within Sri Lanka), SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Sep-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 days over 12 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

The Capacity Development for Local Government (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country. These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank. The Government of Sri Lanka implements the Local Development Support Project (LDSP) in four provinces – North, North Central, Eastern, and Uva – to strengthen local service delivery and local economic infrastructure and enhance bottom-up approaches to support public engagement in local decision-making processes, including through participatory planning and feedback mechanisms for service delivery.

The overall objective of the CDLG project, implemented by UNDP, is to strengthen the capacities of LAs to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable and be able to plan, enhance resilience, and deliver better services. The capacity development support, coupled with the fiscal support (through Basic Transfers and Performance Transfers provided through LDSP project) for inclusive service delivery and economic investment, is aimed at strengthening the role of elected representatives at the local level. It is about improving local governance systems and making local governments “fit for future”, as well as increase downward accountability of elected officials and local governments. The project also aims to strengthening mechanisms for public engagement in local decision-making processes.

The investments made through LDSP will enable local governments to implement priority infrastructure projects – from roads to ayurvedic hospitals. To promote more efficient, and transparent and accountable project management, and also to facilitate citizens’ monitoring of infrastructure project, UNDP will support LDSP to adopt two e-solutions/systems. These two solutions – Integrated Project Management Systems (IPMS), and DevLive – allows for efficient project management, and citizens monitoring. Both these solutions are developed by UNDP Philippines for the Department of Local Government in the Philippines.

UNDP is looking to hire an ICT consultant who would oversee customization of the two e-solutions for LDSP.

Scope and Objectives

The ICT consultant will oversee customization of the IPMS and DevLive application and ensure backend integration of the two solutions to accommodate the requirements and specifications of the LDSP. The ICT consultant will liaise with LDSP Project Management Unit and by extension Ministry responsible for local government to ensure that the developers are able to access relevant information for the customization of the two solutions, and ensure availability in all three languages (English, Sinhala and Tamil). The consultant will be responsible for training LDSP staff and LA staff to use the two solutions, and for raising awareness of citizens to use DevLIVE or citizens’ monitoring solution.

The consultant is expected to familiarize themselves with the projects (LDSP and CDLG) to get a sound understanding of the project’s objectives, and the activities supported by the projects. S/he is expected to understand the role of LAs, and the roles and responsibilities of personnel/officials within LAs in project-provinces, the Project Implementation Units (PIU), District offices and the Project Coordination Unit (PCU).

The consultant is expected to review the current DevLive and IPMS systems and its architecture, functions and features, as well as the underlying backend infrastructure to match it against the requirements of LDSP. S/he will ensure that the two solutions are in line with the governments’ systems safety and cyber security requirements.

The service provider will systematically identify requirements to enhance IPMS and DevLive with the client through techniques such as prototyping.

Duties and Responsibilities

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Expected Outputs

The consultant will be expected:

To develop the customization plan, and backend integration plan for IPMS and DevLIVE;
Develop protocols for the solutions in close collaboration with the developers, LDSP, Ministry and UNDP;
Roll out beta version of the two solutions, and identify issues for resolution;
Final version of the two solutions.

Deliverables

The project expects the consultant to closely engage with the developers and support an incremental development and roll out of crucial functionalities.

In general, the deliverables are fulfilled if the following criteria are met:

Finalization of ToRs for the two solutions;
Agreed customization of the DevLive with UNDP and LDSP project staff /world bank, with an emphasis on;
- citizen participation in planning and prioritization, social audit committees;
- Planning tracking (including Ward and LGA level) to monitor attendance, topics and voting results;
- citizen feedback, complaints and grievances mechanisms (tracking and resolution);
- monitoring of environmental and social safeguard compliance;
Agreed customization of Integrated Project Management System (IPMS)
- Details of projects, contracts awarded, details of companies etc.;
- Payments by tranches for completed work by contracted;
- Quality assurance of the construction;
- SDG tagging of the projects;
Backend integration plan of DevLIVE and IPMS;
Technical instructions for installation and configuration the application;
Complete Cyber security audit;
Development of user manuals in all three languages, and technical documents for IT staff;
Trainings for key staff at national and local level;
Trainings/ awareness workshops for citizens.

Duration of Contract

The expected duration of work is estimated for 40 days over 12 months. The contractor should explain in their technical proposal how the 12 months will be utilized and distributed to each team member.

Management Arrangements

The consultant will directly report to the project manager- CDLG project, UNDP, and engage with the Local Governance Specialist, and the Learning and Knowledge Management Specialist

Competencies

Excellent organisational and planning skills;
Excellent report writing and presentation skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with range of actors (developers, public officials etc.,)

Required Skills and Experience

Should have relevant degree in computer science, data management etc.;
Should have at least five years of experience in developing applications and systems (preferably for public sector)

How to Apply

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.

Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.

Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______________________________________)

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR (_____________________________________)

Amount in words:

(Rs._______________________________________________________________)

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on the submission of written reports specifying the tasks accomplished and corresponding number of work days put in towards achieving the deliverables outlined above.

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.