Antecedentes

Project Description

The Philippines is recognized as a high online service user: an estimated 67 million Filipinos use Facebook. Yet, 59% of the population and 72% of all households lack access to the internet. The Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project, otherwise known as Free Wi-Fi For All Program, was implemented starting June 2016. The Free Wi-Fi For All Program aims to provide free broadband Internet access to public places across the country.

On August 2, 2017, Republic Act No. 10929, otherwise known as the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act of 2017, was enacted, which mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) as the lead implementing agency that will oversee the effective and efficient implementation of said Act. Under the said law, the Free Public Internet Access Program was created that shall provide free access to internet service in public places throughout the country such as the national and local government offices; public basic education institutions; state universities and colleges, and TESDA technology institutions; public hospitals, health centers, and rural health units; public parks, plazas, libraries, and barangay reading centers; public airports and seaports; and public transport terminals.

The provision of free internet access is targeted to accelerate the effective delivery of services, thus contributing to the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly on quality education (SDG 4); gender equality (SDG 5); industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9); reduced inequalities (SDG 10); and, partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

To assist in accelerating the roll-out of the Free Wi-Fi For All, the DICT has engaged in a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This phase of the DICT-UNDP partnership aims to expand internet access to up to 6,000 additional sites.

Free Wi-Fi For All (FWFA) Project Outcome and Outputs

Through the project, it is expected that women and men from disadvantaged communities can enhance teaching/learning (improve their educational attainment), deepen their engagement in governance processes, and avail economic development opportunities through increased access to 6,000 Public Wi-Fi hotspots. In doing this, the project targeted beneficiaries from 2,400 public schools in 500 municipalities, of which 50% of the towns are 4th to 6th class, 90% have poverty incidences higher than the national average, and 35% are geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

At the end of 2022, the project should have delivered the activities below through the following outputs:

Output 1. Broadening people’s access to free internet services in designated sites. The activities under this output will include research of appropriate technologies; assessment and market studies; procurement and partnership of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that offer the most feasible technology to project sites; and management of deployments and contracts of ISPs.

Output 2. Organize and develop citizens' capacity to use, monitor delivery, and install internet connections and performance of the free public internet service. This will involve the mapping of citizen organizations in project sites, provision of training to beneficiaries, use and enhancement of UNDP’s existing mechanism for citizen’s monitoring to measure the quality and reliability of the internet; and, documentation of the development impact.

Output 3: Develop the capacity of DICT to contract and oversee the performance of internet service providers. This component will cover activities such as assessing DICT capacity; provision of a capacity building program to enhance DICT’s Public Financial Management (PFM), Project Management, and Quality Assurance; and developing a sustainability plan.

As part of the FWFA Output 2 above, the project partnered with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) to mobilize and capacitate almost 10,000 project beneficiaries in selected four (4) provinces (Lanao del Sur, Batangas, Pampanga, and Abra) where free Wi-Fi sites are installed.

Through the FWFA project, the UNDP shall engage a Consultant primarily to facilitate the project’s major training workshops that will be participated by the UNDP FWFA team, DICT staff, and the partner NGOs.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Objective and Scope of Work

 The Consultant is also expected to produce a comprehensive training manual to be used by the NGOs in their capacity-building roll-out. The training manual shall compose of modules about internet media and information literacy. The content shall cover the project overview, connecting to the free Wi-Fi, internet media and e-government services, sectoral applications/uses of free Wi-Fi, and data protection and security. The module on the use of DevLIVE to monitor the quality and impact of free Wi-Fi will also be integrated into the comprehensive training manual. Specifically, the Consultant shall perform the following activities:

1. Conduct gap analysis of different projects'/organizations' training implementation strategies in carrying out training programs on digital and media literacy. The gap analysis result should include recommendations on appropriate strategies (topics, methods, etc.) for the FWFA project.
2. Facilitate learning during the following workshops. Design the training programs, methods, and materials for the workshops.

1. Using the gap analysis and needs assessment results and existing project materials (PowerPoint presentations, audio, video, images, etc.), develop a comprehensive training manual with training curriculum, facilitator’s guide, modules, and presentation slides and videos. Ensure that the NGOs can use the training materials in both face-to-face and online set-ups.
2. Prior to the TOT, conduct one training session to pre-test the materials developed. Pre-testing results shall be used in finalizing the training manual.
3. Closely coordinate with the UNDP FWFA project team, DICT NPMO, and partner CSOs in incorporating comments and finalizing the training manual.
4. Submit post-workshop reports on lessons learned with recommendations for improvement.
5. Conduct regular coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance through SMS, phone calls, and video conferences to the CSO training specialists during the training roll-out.

III. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Note that the estimated duration of activities covers tasks/assignments related to the preparation, facilitation of the main activity, post-activity report writing, and submission of the expected deliverables. Target dates may change depending on the situation and needs, but with prior approval of the UNDP. All existing materials related to the training manual's development will be shared with the Consultant for modification and integration to the manual.

IV. Institutional Arrangement

• The consultant shall report directly to the FWFA Project Manager, and close coordination with DICT NPMO, and partner CSOs.

V. Duration of Work

• The engagement shall be for a period of 70 working days spread over 5 months (May – September 2021).
• Effectivity of the engagement will be upon signing of the contract and will be valid until all outputs have been delivered and accepted.
• A period of 7 working days will be the estimated lead time for the UNDP to review outputs, give comments, certify approval/acceptance of outputs.

VI. Duty Station

• The duty station is in Manila, Philippines.
• If local travel is permitted, the Consultant will be required to conduct the 3 training workshops in face-to-face set-up.

• If local travel will not be permitted due to travel restrictions, the consultant is required to do the work online, including spearheading consultations and meetings and the facilitation of the workshops.
• In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work and travel of the Individual consultant shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the local and national government.
• The Consultant will not be required to report to the office regularly but a status report on the outputs shall be expected from time to time.

Competencias

Core competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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

Other competencies

• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize, and execute effectively;
• The initiative, good analytical skills, mature judgment, and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics, and honesty;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a diverse environment;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients;
• Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment and to deal with a complex multi-stakeholder environment;
• Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources;
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Required Skills and Experience

Only those who will obtain a minimum of 70 out of 100 points will be considered shortlisted and eligible for financial evaluation.

IX. Scope of Price Proposal

1. The Consultant should send the financial proposal based on a lump-sum amount for the delivery of the outputs identified in Section III. The total amount quoted shall include all costs components required to deliver the services identified above, including professional fees (daily fee X number of working days), and any other applicable costs such as Covid test results prior to the fieldwork, cost of health clearances, training manuals and kits (for only 50 participants), communications (internet and mobile communications), transportation, accommodation and other travel-related costs. Note that travel and accommodation costs for participants will be shouldered by the UNDP.
2. Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of contract, the contractor must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.
3. The contract price will be a fixed output-based price. Any deviations from the output and timelines will be agreed upon between the Contractor and UNDP.
4. Payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables by target due dates. Outputs will be reviewed and certified by the FWFA Project Manager prior to the release of payments (refer to Section III).

X. Recommended Presentation of Offer

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;

1. Curriculum Vitae, indicating all past experiences from similar projects, to prove criteria cited in technical qualification as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references (include a list of previous training facilitated, and training manuals developed)

2. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.

XI. Criteria for Selection

To select the best offer for this post, the combined scoring method will be used where the qualifications will be weighted 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30%. 

Offerors must upload in one (1) file the aforementioned documents.

Templates for a) P11 Personal History Form and b)  Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal (Annex 2) are available through the link below. UNDP General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contractors  are also available:

http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU

Incomplete submission of required documents may result in disqualification.

Please see the deadline of submissions above.

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