Consultant-Digital Literacy for Elders and Differentially Abled

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing untold fear and suffering for all section of population but older people and the people with disability (PwD) across the world are more impacted.

As per Status of Elderly in Odisha-2011, as high as 80 per cent of the elderly in Odisha work due to economic and other compulsions, clearly indicating that poverty and lack of resources compel a majority of them to continue to work well in their senior years for subsistence.

COVID 19 has increased risk of severe disease especially when their comorbidity is considered. The issue of access to medications and health facilities during a lockdown or restricted mobility is another issue that an elderly with physical problems has to face. If the elderly are unable to obtain a regular and sustained supply of medication, they are bound to suffer relapses or deterioration in their mental state. Further, the elderly are prone to social isolation even under normal circumstances, and this problem has been further amplified in the current climate. Coupled with the near-constant stream of information pertaining to the pandemic may also become a source of anxiety and stress, especially for the elderly as information of deaths of elderly is higher. Elderly have not been able to find a space for their voices, opinions and concerns to be heard. Instead, the deep-rooted ageism in our societies has become even more apparent. We have seen this in some cruel and dehumanizing language on social media and in the exclusive emphasis on older persons' vulnerability.

Globally, 15 per cent (around one billion) of the world’s population lives with some form of disability1 In India, about 26.8 million (2.21 per cent) persons are ‘disabled’, and every 10th household has a disabled member2. Percentage of People with Disabilities (PWD) are more in rural areas, compared to around two-thirds of the PWDs are unemployed, and those employed most of them are in the unorganised sector and a few have a secured government job. A large number of PWDs are contractual labourers, migrant workers, and beggars. Persons with disabilities generally have more healthcare needs than others – both standard needs and needs linked to impairments – and are therefore more vulnerable to the impact of

[1] World Health Organisation

[1] Census 2011

low quality or inaccessible health-care services than others. United Nations is proactively working to ensure the highest attainable standards of health for persons with disabilities3.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

UNDP would like to engage a consultant for six months to support the department of SSEPD (Department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities) in implement the digital literacy project for the elderly & differentially abled and the also support the study on impact of COVID 19 on PwD and their livelihood.

Scope of Work:

The scope of work to be carried out by the Consultant is as follows:

1. Provide technical support to Social Security & Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities Department during implementation of the project
2. Supporting UNDP and State implementing agency to implement the digital literacy campaign for elderly
3. Monitoring the progress of activities by implementing agency
4. Supporting UNDP in effective communications and management of both internal and external stakeholders

Activities:

The activities to be performed by the Consultant for development of the deliverable include, but are not limited to the following:

Elderly:

• Facilitate the work of agency for enhancing digital literacy for elderly especially on the aspects of

1. Online transactions related to banking or payment of utility bills or to make online bookings.
2. Awareness on various Social media tools and on use of various platforms such as Skype, WhatsApp, Google search, Book cabs, Browse YouTube, Open Facebook accounts connecting them to old batch mates, friends and family.
3. Facilitate the design of a complete took kit for financial and other digital transactions

• Support in development of appropriate teaching and learning resource materials to promote digital literacy skills and online safety measures for elderly;
• Developing a Policy document note for creating digital literacy among elderly

PwD:

• Review the polices and guidelines of the state and various department for inclusion of PwD in their programmes and Schemes and to develop a policy note
• Facilitate the design of a complete took kit for financial and other digital transactions

[1] https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/covid-19.html

Perform any other tasks consistent with the level of the post and/ or assigned by the Reporting Officer; and the Director, SSEPD / Head of Office-UNDP-Odisha.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the organisation

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/ Technical skills

• Demonstratable Technical Expertise in two above thematic areas

Communication Skills

• Good communication skills
• Tailors and presents information to diverse audiences using a variety of communication delivery methods (e.g., written, electronic, oral, interpersonal) Documentation
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

Management skills

• Ability to participate and contribute consultative meetings at state level with partners and senior stakeholders to identify priorities and manage the timely delivery of project activities.
• Reliable in delivering own parts of the work as part of a team effort
• Demonstrates excellent work/project planning skills;
• Is open to change and ability to manage complex, ever-changing environments;

Required Skills and Experience

Duration of the Project

6 months (Oct’20- Mar’21)

Deliverables and Schedule of Payment:

Monthly payment on submission of monthly reports of work done

Time Frame:

October 2020 to March 2020

Project Location: Bhubaneswar

Recruitment Qualifications:

• Educational Qualifications: Master’s degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Social Sciences, or closely related field.
• Experience:

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years of experience of working in the development sector especially with vulnerable groups
• Experience of working with Central and/or State Governments/ international agencies/ on similar assignments will be preferred.

Desirable

• Relevant Experience at the national level working with Governments and private entities in the Elderly and PwD

Language Requirements:

• Excellent oral and writing skills in English and working knowledge of Odia.

Evaluation Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as Responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

• Technical Criteria weight - 70%.

• Financial Criteria weight – 30 %

  Technical Criteria (70% of total evaluation)

1. Experience of working in the development sector especially with vulnerable groups - 20%
2. Having relevant experience working in the Elderly and PwD-20%
3. Experience of working with the Central and/or State Government, private entities, NGOs- 10 %
4. Education qualification – 20%

Financial Criteria: (30% of the total evaluation) based on the total all-inclusive lump sum amount for professional fee for tasks specified in this announcement

Financial Proposal:

Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their daily fee rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70% i.e. 49 marks with respect to the above-mentioned evaluation criteria. Consultant should not specify their consultancy fee on their CV or with the submission. The CV will not be evaluated further in case the consultant submits the same

Note:

• Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. will not be reimbursed;
• Travel, lodging and boarding as per UNDP rules subject to prior approval
• Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual

Please apply online by visiting www.in.undp.org (Careers)

General Conditions for Individual Contract- http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india /docs/procurement/UNDP%20General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf

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.