Consultant to Develop TOR for Procurement/Establishment of Radio Learning Platform

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 150,282 USD and 193,758 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

For every child, education is a priority!

Background and Rationale:

Following the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 which led to the closure of schools, the MoE developed a sector response plan in three phases, the immediate phase when schools closed; the second phase when schools reopened and the third phase for recovery. The consistent objective through these phases was the sector commitment to ensure continuity of learning for students, especially the most disadvantaged leaners. To achieve that objective, the MoE also came up with distance and home-based learning strategies including the use of radio-based learning platforms that will ensure continuity of learning for all children in Liberia.

The radio station is being proposed for development to respond to the sector’s need for a rapid establishment of radio-based distance education learning dedicated only to educational broadcasting, that covers the entire country and responds not only to the immediate emergency but also to recovery and future preparedness. The purpose of this TOR is to assist in the development of an informed, clear and well-articulated Terms of Reference (TOR) for the identification of a competent institution that would be procured to install and coordinate the proposed platform. The successful individual for this consultancy will set the tone for conduct of the preparatory activities including ensuring that the TORs attracts competent firms to express interest in the call for proposals and ensure that the design specifications and other technical requirements that should accompany a call an Expression of Interest (EOI) from capable institutions are adequately captured.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Consutlancy:

The purpose of the individual contract is to develop a detailed TOR for an international bid for the installation of the proposed radio-based learning platform that includes the development and validation of the concept, conduct of relevant technical assessments, technical design specifications and the procurement processes.

Based on performance, the consultation may support UNICEF and the MOE to provide management and supervision support of the selected institution and/or contractor in the installation of the equipment and the related services required for a radio station that fulfills the sector need for continuity of learning for all children in Liberia.

Specific tasks and scope of the works

Activity No.

Activity description

I. Support consultations on proposed project concept, installation arrangements and seek relevant authorizations.

1.1

Conduct stakeholder consultations and review the proposed MOE plans for the establishment of the radio station.

1.2

Consequently, conduct a feasibility review and validate the plans, and specifications of the proposed radio station.

1.3

Work with relevant local authorities, facilitate the acquisition of relevant frequencies and capacities within the context of local laws, practices and guidelines.

2. Conduct relevant technical assessments and facilitate project design.

2.1

Based on agreed project scope, conduct relevant visits and carry out a technical assessment of the proposed project sites for the base station and repeater stations.

2.2

Map and document accurate technical requirements, specifications and design of the proposed radio station.

2.3

In consultation with the MOE develop and integrate in the project design a project sustainability plan.

3. Support Ministry of Education develop and integrate a project sustainability plan.

3.1

Support MOE define the planned project management including establishment of project steering committee, identification of project implementation bureaus and recruitment of relevant and qualified staff.

3.2

Support the MOE articulate its proposed business support plan for sustainable revenue generation that will provide alternative funding for the running and maintenance of the learning platform.

3.3

Support MOE define and integrate aftercare services and plans for both initial continuing training/development of staff.

4. Develop TORs and support procurement of installation services and/or contractor(s) for the proposed radio station and learning platform.

4.1

Develop TORs and related tendering/bidding documents and support the bidding process.

4.2

Support bid technical evaluation and the selection of the relevant contractor(s).

4.3

Facilitate the orientation, introduction to stakeholders and deployment of the successful contractor(s).

4.0 Methodology:

1) To ensure compliance to policy and project objectives, the MOE shall establish a project steering committee and identify the relevant technical bureau responsible for the project to which the consultant shall routinely provide reports and recommendations on the project implementation.

2) The consultant/contractor shall conduct a feasibility assessment including consultations with stakeholders especially the MOE. The consultant shall undertake technical assessments including field visits. The technical assessments will feed into the design and validation of the radio concept note.

3) The consultant shall, in liaison with MOE, engage the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism to obtain all relevant licenses or authority pertaining to transmitter, frequency, etc. in Monrovia and obtain authority from local authorities for hosting of repeaters in selected counties and locations.

4) The consultant/contractor shall support the planning and designing of the proposed radio station including development of schedules/timelines, site selections and specifications of the most suitable and cost-effective equipment arising from the technical assessment (i) above:

5) The consultant/contractor shall support the procurement and installation process including review of TORs, BOQs, review of bids and tender documents together with the responsible UNICEF and MOE technical teams.

6) Conduct of due diligence and capacity assessment of contractors; The successful individual/institution will ensure that the emerging successful institution provide and demonstrate all the requisite manpower, both skilled and unskilled including qualified experienced technicians, along with all equipment, tools, machines and materials to execute all works as per specifications, bills of quantities, scope of works, materials and time schedule;

Reporting:

The consultant/contractor will report to UNICEF Chief of Education as indicated below:

1. Progress report: The consultant shall attend project technical meetings and will prepare and submit weekly updates as may be required and participate in site meetings. Detailed progress reports will be submitted by the contractor on a monthly basis or as required, especially when reporting on the completion of a deliverable and requesting payment.
2. End of project report: the consultant shall submit an-end of project report to UNICEF. It will include key achievements, challenges, and project implementation arrangements for the second phase of the project installation of the proposed radio-learning platform and provision of after care.

No.

Deliverables

Payment (% of the total contract value)

Due date

1

Deliverable-1: Project concept validation, capacity/scope definitions and authorizations including the conduct of relevant technical assessments;

10 %

20 days after signing of the contract

2

Deliverable 2: Submission of specifications, project design and TORs for installation of the radio learning Platform;

20%

1 month after signing of contract

3

Deliverable 3: Procurement of relevant contractor (s) mobilisation/introductions and delivery of all requisite equipment for the radio station;

35%

2 months after signing of contract.

4

Deliverable-4: 100 per cent completion of all activities, including submission of the final report.

35%

2.5-months after completion and submission of an acceptable work.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Qualifications of Consultant:

The successful individual must have:

Education:

• An advanced degree or higher in ICT and/or related technology field.

Experience:

• A minimum of combined ten years' experience in related communication technologies including media and radio broadcast.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with high level national authorities, international development partners, as well as with national CSOs and rural audiences.
• Should possess a minimum of five years (verifiable) experience in undertaking similar assignments/projects in developing country contexts such as that of Liberia.
• Should possess adequate logistical facilities for said assignment and good quality control mechanism to ensure high quality project implementation and management. Note that UNICEF reserves the right to inspect all equipment prior to finalizing bid.
• Excellent writing skills.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

1. Builds and maintains partnerships
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
3. Drive to achieve results for impact
4. Innovates and embraces change
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity
6. Thanks and acts strategically
7. Nurtures, leads and manages people
8. Works collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.