Background

A - BACKGROUND

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP has been a trusted development partner of the Maldives for more than 40 years, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and exclusion in areas such governance, environment protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation. In each of its thematic areas of work, UNDP at the request of its national partners provides relevant policy advisory support, technical assistance, advocacy, and knowledge to help Maldives achieve its global commitment on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). With Maldives’s transition to Middle Income Country Status, Official Development Assistance from traditional donor sources has been on the continuous decline. UNDP is therefore working with its national partners to identify and tap into alternative and innovative financing mechanisms for development. This process involves broadening outreach and forging wide-ranging partnerships with stakeholders - including other UN agencies, the government, the private sector, philanthropic Foundations, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and International Finance Institutions to advance the country’s development strategies and objectives.

The integrated governance program at UNDP works closely with a myriad of state institutions, civil society actors, and other stakeholders to increase the voice and participation of citizens for a more effective and inclusive governance system. In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also supported digitizing efforts of the government to make critical services more accessible to the people and ensure business continuity of these services. As the future looks more digital and heavily relying on the internet for critical services and infrastructures, there is an urgent need for increased internet literacy among Maldivians.

In 2012 Maldives launched its first digital literacy program, the e-Citizen program, with the aim to empower citizens with digital literacy skills necessary for a fast-changing world. This program trained people on basic IT, information search and e-participation skills. It was designed to give the citizen a digital presence, show them how to search for essential information, avail basic services online and participate in online discussions and forums. Eight years later, the program requires critical upscaling to include components such as access and inclusion in a digital world, media and information literacy skills, ethics and empathy online, active participation and rights and responsibilities in the cyberspace, and privacy and security. The modern digital citizen needs to be empowered with the tools and skills to benefit from the digital world whilst keeping safe from online and offline harm as a result of their digital engagement and actively participate in cyberspace in a way which reduces cyber bullying, online abuse, grooming and illegal recruiting, reducing online and offline violence, creating a safer and more inclusive cyberspace for everyone.

The need for an improved digital citizenry and access to internet has become more pronounced with the COVID-19 pandemic. It radically changed how an entire population interact, learn, work, and live. As most of the critical services such as utilities, education, supply chains, healthcare among the many goes online, every family across the Maldivian archipelago is forced to go online, increasing the amount of time children and young people spend online dramatically. As the society is forced to reorient their work practices around maintaining social distance, working from home has become the new normal. The balance between the online and offline world has tipped towards cyberspace. This over-reliance on technology demand the users to be familiar with certain key elements that governs the cyberspace, be cognizant about the threats and opportunities it presents, and how to use it responsibly.

The policy priority to facilitate a safer cyberspace for netizens and building their capacity to interact responsibly online stems from the Government’s Strategic Action Plan 2019 – 2023. Specifically, Strategy 1.3, establishing institutional frameworks and capabilities to facilitate a safe and secure cyberspace for everyone in the Maldives, of the Jazeera Dhiriulhun sector, Strategy 4.3, strengthen community engagement and collaboration to ensure safety of local communities, of the Good Governance sector, Strategy 5.3, take measure to address bullying and instil gender equity and gender-based values while ensuring psychosocial support to young people, of the Caring State sector and Strategy 2.3, increase advocacy programs on tackling stigma, discrimination and violence against young women and men, of the Dignified Families sector.

Therefore, UNDP Maldives with the aim of fostering a culture of responsible digital citizenship, through healthy and safe interactions online, reducing misinformation through media and information literacy, supporting prevention of violence by building digital responsibility and online safety skills. In this regard, UNDP Maldives seeks the expertise of a technical consultant to develop and build the capacity of select stakeholders on digital literacy. 

Duties and Responsibilities

B - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

i. Scope of Work

Under the guidance of UNDP Maldives, and in collaboration with national partners, the consultant will formulate a digital literacy guide, develop content delivery methodologies and supporting resources. The tasks to be undertaken by the consultant under the Terms of Reference include, but are not necessarily limited to the following;

1. A preliminary study to identify key target groups, understand attitudes, behaviors, uses of ICT, cross match with safe internet practices and identify gaps conducted in consultation with relevant stakeholders from the government and private sector.
2. Development of a Digital Literacy Guide that is context specific to the Maldives and develop supporting knowledge products of the framework.
3. Conduct a training of trainers to equip personnel of key partners from government and CSOs to conduct the training within the institution and in communities.

ii. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The consultant will work closely with the key government stakeholder and UNDP Maldives Focal point to deliver the following results:

1. Consultations: Conduct consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders to learn about on-the ground practice in promoting and developing digital literacy, including but not limited to the challenges in implementation and to discuss possible actions to overcome these challenges and themes of priority to be covered in a digital literacy guide. The consultation meetings will also be used to gather information on the attitudes, behaviors and general usage of digital tools.
2. Preliminary Study: A desk review which analyses gaps and risks in the general perceptions, attitudes, uses of ICT gathered through the consultations, existing documents and practices in relation to digital literacy. This study should feature a segment on next steps on immediate next steps a development agency such as UNDP shall take to promote digital and internet literacy in the Maldives, in light of the discussions.
3. Development of Digital Literacy Guide: The consultant will be in charge of developing an updated and context specific digital literacy guide which addresses the gaps and risks identified in the preliminary study. The guide should feature supporting material such as trainers’ guides, participant handbooks, training material (including but not limited to presentation slides and activity handouts), important information and steps to follow in bringing about a digital literacy framework, and external resources where necessary.
4. Validation exercise: With the assistance of UNDP Maldives, convene the necessary government and private stakeholders to validate the Digital Literacy Guide developed under this exercise, and incorporate any necessary changes to the guide depending on the feedback received.
5. Training of Trainers: In addition to developing the content, the consultant will conduct a training of trainers for a selected pool of individuals who will be able to conduct similar training within their respective institutions and community outreach programs using the guide.

The table below summarizes the main deliverables and estimated duration to complete the output.

iii. Duration of the Assignment: between August 2021 – November 2021

iv. Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will be working closely with the key government stakeholder and will be reporting to the Programme Officer of the Democratic Governance Unit at UNDP Maldives, for each as stipulated in the proposal. Fortnightly meetings will be held with the Programme Manager and Programme Officer. An introductory and debriefing meeting will be organized with UNDP senior management at the end of assignment.

v. Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel

Homebased

C -PAYMENT TERMS

The method of payment is output-based lump-sum scheme. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive lump sum 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 be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration.  

The payments shall be released upon submitting the required deliverables/outputs  satisfactory to the Programme Manger/Focal Point as per agreement for each report in accordance with a set time schedule to be agreed in the contract.  

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, 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 62 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. 

Competencies

D -COMPETENCIES

1. Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
2. Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
3. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
4. Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
5. Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.
6. Self-development, initiative-taking.
7. Creating synergies through self-control.
8. Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution.
9. Demonstrated ability of timely completion of assignments.
10. Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.
11. Informed and transparent decision making.
12. Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines.
13. Ability to actively generate creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situations.
14. Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
15. A pro-active approach to problem-solving.

Required Skills and Experience

E - REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

A minimum of Masters degree in Computer Science, or Information Technology, or any other related field involving computer systems and user support.

• Experience

1. A minimum of five years of professional experience in developing knowledge components/training modules, and software engineering OR a minimum of three years of professional experience in developing digital citizenship frameworks, related content and tools.
2. Experience in the region or in the country will be an added advantage.
3. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

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.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

1. Criteria 1: Educational and technical competency in the field of Computer Science, or Information Technology, or any other related field involving computer systems and user support.  (20 points)
2. Criteria 2: Professional experience in developing knowledge components/training modules, and software engineering OR a minimum of three years of professional experience in developing digital citizenship frameworks, related content and tools. (30 points)
3. Criteria 3: Prior experience in the region or the country (20 points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) during the desk review/interview are acceptable would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

1. A letter of interest
2. Detailed CV
3. Experience letters
4. Previous similar works undertaken by the consultant
5. Financial proposal

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.  The short-listed candidates may be contacted for interview and the successful candidate will be notified.