Individual Consultant: ICT Specialist (Specializing in the Design of Digital Centers and Call Centers) – Localizing e-Government for Accelerated Provision of Services (LEAPS) Project

Project Title

Design of the Digital Centers and Interactive Call Centers for MILG-BARMM under the Localizing e-Government for Accelerated Provision of Services (LEAPS) Project

Project Description

Consistent with its mandate to prioritize the acquisition, adoption, innovation, and application of science and technology for development and its pursuit of competence, excellence and service innovation as provided in both the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Revised Transition Plan 2019-2022 for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the Bangsamoro Government, through the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), forged a partnership with UNDP that seeks to apply, where possible, the strategic framework and principles of the UNDP-supported Access to Information (a2i) program to the specific social, cultural and economic contexts of BARMM.

Known as the flagship programme of the Digital Bangladesh agenda by the Government of Bangladesh, a2i was selected given similar starting challenges in Bangladesh and BARMM of connectivity and local governance in remote, rural locations; shared social and cultural context; and, a2i’s recognized status as a leading global program that has dramatically improved citizens access to services and information, and expanded unprecedented opportunities for community participation at the local level.

The LEAPS Project will build on the a2i experience towards the transformation in local governance in BARMM by significantly accelerating connectivity in communities and opening up governance by enabling citizens to capitalize on the benefits of connectivity, such as through improved access to services and information, community enterprise development, assisted rural e-commerce, and skills development. The LEAPS Project is a way to overcome the dependencies on archaic, paper-based and manual processes within and among the local government units (LGUs). This project will also maximize the use of MILG’s limited manpower and resources to effectively and efficiently deliver and monitor frontline services.

The overarching outcome of the LEAPS Project is to ensure that “the most marginalized, vulnerable and at-risk people and groups benefit from inclusive and quality services and live in a supportive environment wherein their nutrition, food security, and health are ensured/protected”, its outputs are targeted as follows: a) strengthening of the MILG to provide people’s access to ICT and inclusive digital solutions; b) improvement of citizens ‘access to quality e-services reducing time and efforts of availing public services; c) LGUs are effectively and efficiently use disaggregated data for development and resilience planning, programming, budgeting and governance; and d) citizens are organized and capacitated to monitor the delivery of services and optimal use of ICT equipment and digital solutions.

The initial phase of the LEAPS project will kickstart its preparatory activities and set its foundations this year, 2020. Activities will focus on the MILG and the two (2) pilot LGUs. In this regard, the UNDP Philippines requires the services of an ICT Specialist, who shall provide overall technical expertise and sound recommendation for the digital transformation, assessment, and design of the digital centers and interactive call centers in LGUs under MILG-BARMM. The ICT Specialist will be under the supervision of the Institutions and Partnerships Programme (I&P) Team.

Governance and Accountability

• Overall direction and guidance shall be provided by the UNDP Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships while day-to-day supervision shall be performed by the UNDP LEAPS Project Manager.
• Though the Consultant’s outputs and deliverables shall be reviewed, quality assured, and accepted in consultation with the consortium or its key members, this contract is executed and managed under the operations policies and procedures of UNDP. The Institutions and Partnerships Team Lead shall formally accept outputs and cause the processing of payments.

Expected Duration of the Contract

The consultant will be hired for an estimated thirty (30) person-days over 2.5 months. The target start of work date is 02 November 2020 and the maximum end date is 15 January 2021.

Duty Station

Effectivity of the engagement will be upon signing of the contract and will be valid until all outputs have been delivered and accepted, within the contract period.

The position will be based in Cotabato City to allow accessibility and availability for discussions and reporting on the progress of activities as may be required. Though the consultant will not be required to report regularly at the UNDP Cotabato Office but shall agree with the LEAPS Project Manager on a regular schedule to report via virtual meetings on status and provide feedback on the outputs.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work of the Consultant shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the regional and local governments in BARMM.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payment

• The Consultant should send a financial proposal based on a lump-sum amount for the delivery of the outputs identified below. The total amount quoted shall include all cost components required to deliver the goods and services identified above, including professional fees, and any other applicable costs (i.e. communications expenses, travel, and supplies expenses) to be incurred by the Consultant in completing the assignment.
• Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of the contract, the contractor must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.
• 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.
• Payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables by target due dates. Outputs will be reviewed and certified by the LEAPS Project Manager and endorsed to I&P Team Lead, prior to the release of payments as follows:

The Individual Consultant shall perform the following:

1. Develop a comprehensive study, technical recommendation, and work plan for the physical setup of digital centers and interactive call centers in two (2) pilot LGUs (possibly in Butig and Piagapo) in MILG-BARMM with the following technical considerations:
   • High-speed (3G/4G/5G) internet availability
   • Stability and reliability of broadband wireless access in the areas considering expansion centers
   • Stable (always-on) power supply in the areas
   • Adequate infrastructure facility / passable roads
   • Accessible and reachable location (by foot)
2. Review, study, and recommend core ICT Infrastructure (servers and data with software systems) for e-Governance in the pilot LGUs.
3. Develop and design site selection criteria and matrix that must ensure establishment and functional Digital Centers and Interactive Call Centers
4. Conduct ocular site inspections and assessment in the identified pilot LGUs and conduct e-readiness survey with risk assessment study on selected pilot LGU locations, in close coordination with MILG.
5. Establish close coordination and collaboration on all technical-related concerns with the a2i Bangladesh team focal point and ensure conduct of regular/weekly discussions on every activity that involves their technical advice and recommendation.
6. Provide technical advisory services and technical assistance to the UNDP LEAPS Project Management Office (PMO) and work in close cooperation with the a2i Bangladesh team and the LEAPS Project Manager.
7. Provide technical inputs during planning and evaluation phases of all IT/technical-related procurement and deployment of ICT infrastructure and e-Governance software or programs.
8. Identify plans for expansion and scalability of digital centers and call centers including inputs on proposals for future phases of implementation.
9. Work closely with the LEAPS Web Developer on deploying the a2i BARMM website in testing bed and final server and provide technical assistance with the soft and final website launches.
10. Assist the LEAPS Web Developer with the training on ICT and web portal management.
11. Collaborate with the IT departments in MILG and MOTC in BARMM through regular discussions covering technical matters that involve the establishment of digital centers and data centers; attend other required relevant project meetings.
12. Provide advice and support on capacity development and training activities.

Timetable of Deliverables

The Consultant shall implement the following activities and/or deliver on the following outputs:

The estimated level of effort identified above are indicative and may be adjusted based on the situation and needs, but with prior decision by UNDP.

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional and technical competencies

• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment;
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure and to meet strict and competing deadlines;
• Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

Candidates will be evaluated based on the Combined Rating methodology:

• Qualifications from the CV = 50%
• At least two (2) written sample works = 20%
• Financial Proposal =    30%

Only those who will obtain 70 out of 100 obtainable points will be considered qualified and shortlisted for the post. Please make sure your CV indicates compliance with EACH of the following minimum criteria.

Applicants who will only receive 70 points from the assessment of the CV and sample works  will be qualified for the assessment of the Financial Proposal. 

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested applicants 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. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references; and
2. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP; 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. 
3. At least two (2) written sample works (i.e. technical plan, technical report, technical assessment, and recommendation,  etc.) 

Interested applicants to note that personal Medical/health insurance (to be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense) is mandatory for the issuance of contracts. Upon award of the contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

The following templates / Annexes and IC General Terms & Conditions can be downloaded from http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU:

• General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contract
• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
• P-11 form

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