Individual International Consultancy: Education Technology for Development (T4D) Consultancy

Contract

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UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children's rights on survival, development, protection and participation.

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, support

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UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for Individual International Consultancy: Education Technology for Development (T4D) Consultancy. This assignment is starting from 1 December 2020 until 31 October 2021 with an estimated 4 working days per week, except official UN holidays. The Consultant have to be based in Vientiane and is expected to participate in regular meetings at UNICEF Lao PDR Office and the MoES. It is foreseen that this assignment will involve some travel to the provinces.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The consultant will carry out the following tasks:

1. Technical support for the development of the GIS-enabled monitoring platform, LESMIS platform & online PMIS

Main tasks:

• Support the finalisation of the MoES GIS-enabled monitoring platform for COVID-19 response that will be integrated into LESMIS, including training of MoES technical teams (particularly ICT Center) in coordination with the international service provider that has set-up the platform – Beyond Essential Services (BES) based in Australia.
• Add additional questionnaires to the monitoring App that is linked to the COVID-19 GIS-enabled platform for use in monitoring of the COVID-19 response and/or Education in Emergencies response.
• Support MoES in the remote/distance support of BES to set-up LESMIS by providing technical support remote access to the EMIS and other MIS's and facilitating data transfers as needed.
• Facilitate and where needed technically support the review of existing MoES ICT infrastructure and systems, including existing databases and data analysis tools and needs analysis for additional infrastructure (software and hardware). BES will take the lead in developing the assessment tools and questionnaires and drafting of the report.
• Facilitate and where needed technically support the development of an integrated online GIS enabled LESMIS system that connects the various MoES databases and allows for importing and exporting of data in Unicode format.
• Supporting MoES, UNICEF and BES in translating identified data needs of key stakeholders into automatically generated, user-friendly reporting templates (e.g. School Report Card).
• Support the training of MoES technical teams on using the LESMIS platform and online PMIS as part of capacity development
• Provide quality assurance support

2. Technical support to MoES for strengthening data collection and validation processes by developing and trailing online data collection and reporting tools that are to be integrated in the LESMIS

Main tasks:

• Support MoES with the development and trailing of online data collection and reporting tools and corresponding validation processes, including tools for school self-evaluations, school development planning and budgeting, and classroom observations, and integrating these into LESMIS.
• Provide technical support to the UNICEF Education Programme and Operations Unit for the procurement of ICT hardware and software as needed.
• Support the training of MoES technical teams on using of these tools as part of capacity development.
• Provide quality assurance support.

3. Technical support for the development of the MoES Teaching and Learning Platform

Main tasks:

• Support MoES ICT Centre and UNICEF in the rapid deployment of the Teaching and Learning Platform, providing technical assistance in localising the technology, curating content for compatibility to the platform, coordinating various actors, and providing regular reports to UNICEF Lao PDR and the HQ and EAPRO Learning Passport team.
• Provide technical support to UNICEF Lao PDR in procuring digital equipment (e.g. identification and specification of suitable smart tablets/notebooks and related devices procured for the MoES and schools) and quality assuring their deliverables from a digital perspective.
• Coordinate with the HQ Learning Passport team as well as the MoES team leading the development of the MoES Teaching and Learning Platform
• Scope complementary ICT for learning and Edtech tools that could be integrated to support the Teaching and Learning Platform as part of related technology efforts.
• Support the training of MoES technical team on using the platform, particularly MoES ICT Center staff
• Provide advisory support to MoES ICT Center staff in troubleshooting any technical issues that will arise in the rollout of the teaching and learning platform, in coordination with the HQ Learning Passport team as part of capacity development
• Provide quality assurance support

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will need to have:

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in engineering, information technology or other related field, ideally complemented with a degree in the field of education.
• At least 8 years of professional work experience in Technology for Development (T4D) and/or information system development, IT system integration development, including web-based applications. Specific experience on GIS enabled platforms and/or ICT for learning is an advantage.
• ICT equipment and procurement planning, monitoring and evaluation experience.
• ICT systems training planning and implementation experience is considered an advantage.
• Experience in the design and implementation of ICT enabled data collection and reporting systems. Solid technical understanding of ICT systems in the education sector is a clear advantage.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in coordination, and able to work under pressure is required.
• Previous working experience in ASEAN countries is desirable. Experience on ICT projects in Lao PDR is a clear advantage.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills in English language.

1. Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment.

The deadline for applications is 12 November 2020.

2. Assessment Criteria:

As part of the evaluation and selection, a Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment. This involves a technical evaluation and an assessment of the financial proposal:

a) Technical evaluation of the candidates qualifications, experience and expertise (max. 100 points) weight 70%:

Qualifications (20 points)

• Advanced degree (Master preferred) engineering, information technology or other related field (20 points).

Experience and expertise (80 points)

• At least 8 years of professional work experience in Technology for Development (T4D) and/or information system development, IT system integration development, including web-based applications. Specific experience on GIS enabled platforms and/or ICT for learning is an advantage (20 points).
• ICT equipment and procurement planning, monitoring and evaluation experience (10 points).
• ICT systems training planning and implementation experience is considered an advantage (20 points).
• Experience in the design and implementation of ICT enabled data collection and reporting systems. Solid technical understanding of ICT systems in the education sector is a clear advantage (10 points).
• Previous working experience in ASEAN countries is desirable. Experience on ICT projects in Lao PDR is a clear advantage (10 points).
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills in English language (10 points).

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30%

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price. The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

For the technical assessment candidates will have to be awarded at least 70 points out 100 to be considered for the assignment.

every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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