Antecedentes

UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties.

Under the framework of the Institutional Capacity Development for Implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan (ICDI/KNDP) project, UNDP and GSSCPD attempt to support the Central Statistics Bureau (CSB) to create an enabling environment for KNDP results. The aim is to enhance institutional and human capacities of the CSB for evidence-based plans and policies on sustainable development.

Within this context, UNDP on behalf of the General Secretariat for the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, the CSB is seeking to recruit a Senior IT Infrastructure Systems Engineer to provide technical advisory services to the office of the Assistant Undersecretary of Administrative Support & Information Sector at the Central Statistical Bureau of the State of Kuwait. The Senior Infrastructure Systems Engineer will be working with the IT Department within the Central Statistical Bureau. The Senior IT Infrastructure Systems Engineer will also focus on capacity building and transfer of knowledge to the staff at the Central Statistical Bureau.

Objective

The main objective of the consultancy is to support the Central Statistics Bureau to assess, maintain and enhance the infrastructure of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), through strategical design and implement in-house infrastructure systems and architectures that support core CSB’s functions and assure their high availability. In addition to, planning and lifecycle management, integration and standards as well as overall ongoing systems management around availability, performance, and capacity, security to drive efficient and effective IT systems to meet the business needs.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Summary of key functions: Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Undersecretary of Administrative Support & Information Sector at the CSB, and in close coordination with the GSSCPD International Cooperation Department and UNDP project team, the Senior IT Infrastructure Systems Engineer will assume the following tasks:

 

  1. Strategical design and implement in-house infrastructure systems and architectures that support core CSB’s functions and assure their high availability. 
  2. Planning and lifecycle management, integration, and standards, as well as overall ongoing systems management around availability, performance, and capacity, security to drive efficient and effective IT systems to meet the CSB’s needs.
  3. Assessment of the IT infrastructure needs for the completion of the Register-based census project of the State of Kuwait 2020.
  4. Providing IT support, from strategic IT decision making down to IT project planning and management levels.
  5. Upgrade the servers operating systems from Windows Server 2012 & Window Server 2016 to Windows Server OS for:
    • Internal host servers.
    • External host servers.
    • Other servers (Physical & Virtual).
  6. Upgrade the mail systems servers from Microsoft Exchange 2016 to latest edition including OS
  7. Upgrade the joint file server’s system DFS from Windows Server 2012 to the latest Windows Server OS.
  8. Upgrade Microsoft Virtual Machine Manager to the latest edition, including OS.
  9. Upgrade System Center Configuration Manager SCCM to the latest edition, including OS.
  10. Upgrade operating system for Oracle database system from 2012 to the latest edition.
  11. Set up new SQL database servers for:
    • External Applications.
    • Internal Application.
    • Microsoft System Center.
  12. Train and mentor CSB’s staff on the systems and software’s of CSB (Weekly).
  13. Follow up and supervise the installation of new servers upon the request of the supervisor.
  14. Monitor the performance of all the severs and systems.
  15. Oversee the Activities of the Data Centre Server Management and Support Groups, Including Scheduling and Prioritizing Server Activities.
  16. Work with Virtual Hypervisor Technologies and Experience in VDI Architecture.
  17. Instruct and Directing the Management of DNS, SMTP, DHCP, Domain, Active Directory Applications, Print and File Servers, Mail, Web Servers, SharePoint Servers, and FTP service for the Enterprise.
  18. Manages Server Security Features to Protect Confidential Information while Allowing Appropriate Access.
  19. Maintaining and Restoring Backup Servers for Standard Internet Services such as DNS, SMTP, DHCP, Mail, Web, Print and File Servers and FTP Service.
  20. Automate deployment and monitoring of physical and virtual infrastructure.
  21. Manage Active Directory environment and design and implement Group Policies.
  22. Maintain a secure and stable IT environment; Manage patches and upgrades of systems and software.
  23. Create and maintain detailed documentation of system design, implementation and configuration.

 

  •  Expected Outputs and Deliverables 

 

Deliverables: 

Institution and the duration and timeline of the deliverables are indicated in the below table:

 

 

 Deliverables/ Outputs

 

Target Due Dates

 

Payment schedule in percentage

 

Review and Approvals Required

Deliverable 1: 

 Submit an Initial Assessment report including work-plan for the assignment.

• Submit a training plan that includes a weekly workshop for the staff of CSB on the key functions of the scope of work.

2 weeks after the start of the contract.

%5

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 2: 

  • Running health checks to all systems mentioned and related to scope of work tasks.
  • Set up new SQL database servers for Microsoft System Center.
  • Set up new SQL database servers for Internal Application.
  • Submit an Assessment report of the IT infrastructure needs for the completion of the Register-based census project of the State of Kuwait 2020.

 

6 weeks after the start of the contract.

%10

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 3: 

  • Upgrade Microsoft Virtual Machine Manager to latest edition including OS.
  • Upgrade System Center Configuration Manager SCCM to latest edition including OS.
  • Set up new SQL database servers for External Application.
  • Upgrade the joint file server’s system DFS from Windows Server 2012 to latest Windows Server OS.
  •  Submit a plan for Strategical design and implementation in-house infrastructure systems and architectures that support core CSB’s functions and assure their high availability. 

3 months after the start of the contract.

%15

 

Deliverable 4: Upgrade the servers operating systems from Windows Server 2012 & Window Server 2016 to Windows Server OS for Internalhost servers.

4 months after the start of the contract.

%20

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 5: 

  • Upgrade the servers operating systems from Windows Server 2012 & Window Server 2016 to Windows Server OS for External host servers.
  • Upgrade the servers operating systems from Windows Server 2012 & Window Server 2016 to Windows Server OS for Other servers (Physical & Virtual).
  • Submit a plan for lifecycle management, integration, and standards, as well as overall ongoing systems management around availability, performance, and capacity, security to drive efficient and effective IT systems to meet the CSB’s needs.

5 months after the start of the contract.

%20

CSB and UNDP

Deliverable 6: 

• Upgrade the mail systems servers from Microsoft Exchange 2016 to latest edition including OS.

• Upgrade operating system for Oracle database system from 2012 to latest edition.

• Monitor the performance of all the severs and system.

• Conduct a final Audit & Review.

• Conduct and complete the submitted training plan.

6 months after the start of the contract.

%30

CSB and UNDP

 

 

 

Institutional Arrangement

  • The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Undersecretary of Administrative Support & Information the CSB. He/she needs to coordinate closely with the GSSCPD International Cooperation Department and UNDP project team.
  • All payments subject to approval based on submitted certified and approved interim, draft and final reports (with relevant attachments) by GSSCPD / CSB and UNDP. These interim and final reports will serve as justification of payment. 
  • The Consultant will be provided with access to printing machine and internet connection.

Duration of the Work

The duration of this assignment is expected to be 6 months. The starting date is expected within June 2020.

 

    Duty Station

The consultant will be based in Kuwait at CSB office for the duration of the assignment.

 

 

 

EVALUATION

 

 

? Option A -. Lowest price and technically compliant offer

 

 

 

 

?Option B -  Cumulative analysis 

 

 

 

Total score=Technical Score + Financial Score. 

Technical Criteria weight - 70%, 700 scores maximum 

Financial Criteria weight - 30%. 300 scores maximum

 

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 from 700 points in the Technical part of evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

 

The selection of candidates will be done in 3 stages:

 

1st stage: Prior to detailed evaluation, all applications will be thoroughly screened against eligibility criteria (minimum qualification requirements) as set in the TOR in order to determine whether they are compliant/non-compliant.

 

Shortlisting criteria   

1

Academic Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or any other related fields.

2

Experience: Minimum 10 years of practical experience in the related area, ?preferably ?handling Cloud/ Technology/ ?Security Architecture ?roles with Infrastructure & Technology domain in in Microsoft & Virtualization Solutions.

3

Language: Fluency in English & Arabic is a must.

 

2nd stage: Evaluation of technical proposals 

Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70%) at the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

 

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Desk review and Interview based)

Maximum obtainable points – 700; Threshold – 490 points

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or any other related fields.

20

Minimum 10 years of proven practical experience in Infrastructure engineering.

 

 

 

5 points for each additional year of experience up to 5 additional years

175

 

 

25

Certificates in Microsoft® Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft® Certified Solution Associate (MCSA), Certification of Completion VMware V Sphere (Install, Configure, and Manage) [V5.1].

25

Experience in managing Databases (Microsoft SQL, MySQL), VMware design and administration, patching management software and best practices, enterprise backup and disaster recovery solutions and design and end-to-end implementation of performant, reliable, and secure infrastructure systems is essential, as are superb troubleshooting capabilities and experience with diagnostic/tracing tools as well as in Microsoft and Virtualization Solutions Solid knowledge of networking protocols.

30

Proficiency in at least one scripting language (Python or PowerShell).

25

Technical Proposal/Interview: Good understanding of the assignment with all specific components proposed within TOR have been identified clearly and in a logical order to address TOR requirements:

Excellent           100% from the score

Good                  90% from the score

Satisfactory      70% from the score

Poor                   40% from the score

               Very poor          10% from the score

200

Financial Evaluation Criteria

Maximum obtainable points – 300 (30%)

 

3rd stage: Financial evaluation

Cumulative analysis will be used based on the following methodology: All the offers of individual consultants who scored 490 (70% from 700) and more points during the desk review are acceptable for financial evaluation. The lowest financial qualified proposal receives 300 points and all the other technically qualified proposals receive points in inverse proportion per the formula:

 

Formula applied 

P=y(µ/z)

P=points for the financial proposal being evaluated

 

y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal equal to 300

 

µ=the lowest priced proposal

 

z=price of the proposal being evaluated

 

 

The candidate achieving the highest cumulative score for both Technical and Financial evaluations will be recommended by the Evaluation Committee for contracting.

 

 

 

  1. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

 

 

Applicants are requested to compile and submit as one PDF file the below requested documents: 

 

  1. Duly accomplished and signed Offeror’s letter/filled-in template to UNDP confirming interest and Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;
  2. Complete and signed P11 form or CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate;
  3. At least three (3) professional references;
  4. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
  5. Technical Proposal of how the consultant will carry out the required assignment, with a clear Methodology.
  6. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.  
  7. Copy of diploma/s
  8. Copy of ID card (passport)

Competencias

Core Competencies

  • Demonstrates leadership, team building and coordinating skills
  • Demonstrates commitment to human development principles and values.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Shares knowledge and experience;
  • Provides helpful feedback and advice;
  • Strong analytical skills;
  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
  • Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

 

Functional Competencies

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

  • Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
  • Identifies innovative approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
  • Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

I. Academic Qualifications:

  • The minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or any other related fields.

II. Years of experience:

  • Minimum 10 years of practical experience in the related area, ?preferably ?handling Cloud/ Technology/?Security Architecture ?roles with Infrastructure & Technology domain.
  • Experience in Windows Server platforms for (Domain Controller, DNS, DHCP, Exchange, DFS, Hyper-V Cluster), Windows filers and solid understanding of SMB and NTFS.
  • In-depth knowledge of core Windows technologies (AD/ADFS, Failover Clustering, SMB, Hyper-V), and excellent networking and automation skills are required. 
  • Experience in enterprise infrastructure systems and services design.
  • Familiar with enterprise infrastructure alerting and monitoring. 
  • Strong understanding of encryption and data security. 

 

III. Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in oral and written English & Arabic is a must.