UNDP Jobs - 78406- National Consultant for ICT solutions

National Consultant for ICT solutions

Location :

Sarajevo, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-May-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

May - July 2018

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Maximum 15 working days

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

Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to facilitate introduction of innovative ICT solutions for an effective service delivery by local governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In particular, the consultancy will assist the Municipal Environmental and Economic Governance (MEG) Project to develop technical specification(s), for a cost-efficient yet effective software solutions (e-tools) for:

Enhanced communication[1] between individual local administration and its citizens,
enhanced communication between municipal councillors and its constituencies, and
centralised monitoring system that will track all the communication with the citizens (public debates, public consultations, and other forms of civic participation).

For the purposes of this assignment, a National Consultant for ICT solutions (hereafter the Consultant) will be contracted.

Objective

The overall objective of the consultancy is a development and completion of the technical specifications for the above referenced software solutions. The consultancy will enable the MEG project to assist its partner LGs to increase their performance and should lead to an enhanced experience, i.e. more efficient, effective and transparent, as well as fully trackable, communication between local administration and citizens, as well as between municipal/city council and citizens. Development of mobile application(s) (for Android OS) should be considered, as appropriate.

Background Information

Financed by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Municipal Environmental and Economic Governance (MEG) Project is a 12-year intervention in the domain of local governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Project’s overall goal is defined as follows: Local governments, assigned with appropriate competences and finances, have improved their democratic governance, apply sound public policy and performance management systems, and provide public services in an inclusive, effective and efficient manner, particularly those related to economic and environmental sectors.

The expected concrete improvements the Project will contribute to are clustered in three outcomes, as follows:

Outcome 1: Supported local governments apply effective development management systems characterized by stronger oversight of the legislative and greater accountability towards the citizens.
Outcome 2: Citizens and businesses in target localities benefit from good quality services provided by LGs in the economic and environmental sectors.
Outcome 3: Improved regulatory framework at higher and local government levels.

The Project’s territorial focus is on the North-West part of the country (including Una-Sana Canton and Prijedor region) and the North-East region (the wider Doboj-Tuzla area), covering 18 partner local governments: Bihac, Bosanska Krupa, Cazin, Doboj, Gracanica, Gradacac, Gradiška, Kalesija, Kostajnica, Kozarska Dubica, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sanski Most, Tešanj, Teslic, Tuzla, Velika Kladuša and Žepce.

The Project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), the FBiH Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, the Ministry for Administration and Local Self-Government of Republika Srpska (RS), the RS Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and both entity Associations of Municipalities and Cities (AMCs).

This consultancy will take place within the Project’s Local Governance (LG) component, seeking to achieve significant improvements in the performance of partner LGs through improved communication between citizens and Municipal Councils, and citizens and local administrations, as well as, to ensure greater citizen participation in the decision-making processes.

[1] Communication in this case entails, but is not limited to: public debates, public consultations, citizens’ recommendations, citizens' complaints, etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will work on the following major tasks:

Develop technical specification for software solution that will facilitate on-line communication between individual municipal councillors and citizens (similar to www.javnarasprava.ba);
Develop technical specification for software solution that will facilitate on-line communication between citizens and local administration, when it comes to communal service delivery (similar to “service48”, “centar72”, etc.);
Develop technical specification for a software solution (central monitoring system) that will keep track and provide an analysis of all LG communication history with citizens i.e. public consultations, public debates, etc.;
Develop technical specification for mobile application(s) (Android OS) for communication between citizens and local administration, when it comes to communal service delivery (similar to https://www.wien.gv.at/sagswien/);

The work on these major tasks will also include: relevant assessment of the current state of affairs in all 18 partner LGs, assessment of the LGs interest and motivation to introduce such solution(s) and participation in at least one consultation meeting with relevant LG representatives. The meeting will take place in Sarajevo.

Methodological Considerations

The Consultant is expected to perform desk review of all possible similar IT solutions currently available, develop a comprehensive assessment questionnaire to be circulated among partner LGs and based on the findings of the assessment, organise and facilitate at least one consultation meeting with a select number of partner LG representatives and the Project team. Based on conclusions of the desk review, assessment and the consultation meeting, the Consultant will prepare a presentation for the Project team in which proposed approach, and its pros and cons, will be elaborated. Once the Project team is on board with the proposed method, the Consultant will develop referenced technical specifications clearly indicating the timeframe and indicative costs per LG.

More specifically, the Consultant will have the following specific tasks:

Task 1 – Desk Review and Reporting

The Consultant will perform a desk review and assess currently available comparable solutions for the three above referenced purposes in MEG partner LGs. The Consultant will, during the review, address their cost-efficiency, sustainability, user friendliness and the necessity of a constant on-line support being provided to the LG staff. Based on the findings of the desk review, the Consultant will inform the Project team of all possible directions they might go in, pros and cons for each direction, and indicate whether it is better to opt for the new design and procurement or purchase a ready-made solution. As part of this step, the Consultant will consider relevant sustainability and user-support issues.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 04 May 2018, and the level of effort will not exceed 2 expert days.

Task 2 – Assessment

Based on the findings of the desk review, and once the approval by the Project team is granted, the Consultant will develop a comprehensive questionnaire and assess the current state of affairs in partner LGs, their interest and motivation to introduce such solution(s), followed by organizing and facilitating at least one consultation meeting with relevant LG representatives. In the interest of time, the LG assessment process may be facilitated by the Project’s field officers. Based on the desk review, assessment and consultation meeting(s), the Consultant will prepare and deliver a presentation for the Project team in which the proposed approach, and its pros and cons, will be elaborated.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 15 May 2018, and the level of effort will not exceed 4 expert days.

Task 3 – Technical Specification Development

Once the Project team accepts the proposed method, the Consultant will develop all above referenced technical specifications clearly indicating the timeframe and indicative costs per LG.

It is envisaged that this task will be delivered by 5 July 2018, and the level of effort will not exceed 9 expert days.

Deliverables and timelines

The Consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:
Deliverables (outputs) Deadline

Task 1 - Desk Review and Reporting:

Submitted a brief report on desk review and ensured Project’s team acceptance - 04 May 2018, (2 expert days)'

Task 2 - Assessment:

Developed a comprehensive questionnaire and assessed the current state of affairs in partner LGs, with regards to their interest and motivation to introduce proposed ICT solution(s); Organized and facilitated at least one consultation meeting with relevant LG representatives - 15 May 2018, (4 expert days);

Task 3 - Technical Specification Development:

Developed all the above referenced technical specifications clearly indicating the timeframe and indicative costs per LG - 5 July 2018, (9 expert days);

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
Generates ideas and seizes opportunities to support corporate strategic objectives.

People Skills:

Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds;
Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior;
Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

Partnering and Networking:

Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;
Ability to work as a member of a team as well as work autonomously.

Results-Orientation:

Plans and ensures quality results to meet established goals.

Communication:

Formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences;
Presents information in a clear and articulate manner.

Job Knowledge and Expertise:

Strong analytical skills;
Understanding of LG responsibilities, Council/Assembly functioning and citizen participation mechanisms at local level of government;
Understanding budget calendars and budget management process in both entities.
Strong presentation skills;
Experience in analysis, definition and implementation of local development policies, programs and budgets particularly relevant for the local level;
Advanced writing skills,
Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently;
Initiative and sound judgment;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in information technology, computer science, data management or related field, or relevant experience in the field.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in ICT, IS and software development;
Proven record of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the area of introducing new ICT solutions, database management and data analysis, application design and development;
Electronic communications expertise and experience;
Extensive content management expertise and experience;
Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize and write concisely and clearly.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English and in the official languages in BiH.

Other:

Excellent computer skills (MS Office applications); ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.

Technical criteria:

Relevant experience in ICT, IS and software development – minimum 5 years; Weight: 30%, Maximum points: 30;
Proven record of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the area of introducing new ICT solutions, database management and data analysis, application design and development; Weight: 30%, Maximum points: 30;
Extensive content management expertise and experience; Weight:10%, Maximum points:10;

Financial criteria: Weight: 30%, Maximum points: 30;