Management Information System (MIS) consultant: Technical support and oversight to the design and implementation of social protection MIS in the Eastern Caribbean

Contract

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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.

How can you make a difference?

Location: Remote with the possibility of travel

Duration: 125 days over 11 months

Start Date: 20 January 2024

End Date: 20 December 2024

Supervisor: Social Policy Specialist

Background:

Please reference the attached full ToR for background information on this assignment. INT - MIS Consultant TOR FV Adv.pdf

PURPOSE/SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT:

Goal and Objective: Under the supervision of the Social Policy Specialist, and in close collaboration with the rest of the Social Policy Social Protection team and the Technology for Development Officer, the consultant will provide technical assistance and oversight of the ongoing MIS work on social protection across the 4 countries: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Trinidad & Tobago. The Consultant in all cases, will work to ensure effective and efficient problem-solving of ad hoc issues that arise and support development of robust solutions and strategies.

Anguilla: The consultant will work along the institutional firm that is tasked with the design, development and implementation of the MIS for social protection to ensure quality assurance and provide ongoing technical assistance as needed during this entire process, including support to the a Technical Working Group on MIS (TWG MIS), sensitization to the Ministry team on social protection MISs and co-facilitating specialized workshops to Government stakeholders on MIS. The Consultant is also expected to participate in key informant interviews (KIIs) with relevant Government stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of various Government entities during this process. The Consultant is also expected to provide new ideas and share best practices that can enhance the quality of the work and key processes in the design and delivery of the MIS and promote capacity building.

Antigua and Barbuda: The Consultant will lead on providing technical support in the development of the national MIS and support the Government, via the DSPRP, in its transition from HOPE to a nationally owned MIS.

Trinidad & Tobago: In Trinidad & Tobago, the Consultant is expected to perform any implementation troubleshooting related to HOPE in the cash transfer program to migrants and the NCR.

St. Kitts & Nevis: The consultant will support the analysis, design, and scoping of the MIS upgrades to be completed, considering the National Household Registry (NHR) and the programmes it currently serves. The consultant will provide recommendations for interoperability of the social protection programmes in both islands of St Kits and Nevis.

ACTIVITIES and TASKS: The main activities and tasks of this assignment include:

1. Support process to develop and MIS for the main social assistance programmes in Anguilla, which includes, but is not limited to, to revision and technical assistance provided to the Software Requirement Specifications (SRS), the architecture and resource requirements.
2. Report on Gaps and Recommendations on the Design, Development and Implementation of MIS in Anguilla based on software’s technical specifications, and a report assessing the proposed Design, Development and Implementation of the MIS in Antigua and Barbuda.
3. Support capacity development of key national counterparts on the development of digitalized social protection information systems
4. Conduct a MIS assessment for St Kitts and Nevis, with recommendations on how to ensure interoperability and expansion of existing services to the newly created programme LIFT and support the recommendations’ implementation.
5. Technical Assistance to supporting operationalization of MIS in Antigua and Barbuda, to support the NHR linked to the new programme LIFT in St Kitts and Nevis, and to support implementation of a cash program through HOPE in Trinidad and Tobago.

WORK RELATIONSHIPS: The consultant will work closely with the Social Policy Social Protection team, the Technology for Development officer of UNICEF ECA as well as the HQ HOPE team; in Anguilla, the Ministry of Social Development and Education as well as its MIS technical working group; in Antigua and Barbuda, the DSPRP, under the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation & The Environment and in Trinidad with the Trinidad & Tobago Red Cross Society.

OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES:

1. Inception report: This document will provide a clear and brief understanding of the objectives of the assignment and highlight key strategies to achieve the requested objectives. The consultant should consider all documents already produced for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis and experiences registered in HOPE for Trinidad and Tobago (i.e. Draft TOR for development firm, feasibility study, communications and change management strategy etc).
2. Report on technical assistance in the revision of software requirement specifications in Anguilla: Review and provide assistance on the SRS, architecture and resource requirements for the implementation of a MIS in Anguilla.
3. Conduct an online workshop on open source solutions for social protection: Provide guidance on implementing open source projects, advantages of open source for small island developing states, and landscape overview of digital social protection solutions that enhance efficiency, accessibility, and the sustainability of social support systems.
4. Report on Key Gaps and Recommendations on the Design, Development and Implementation of MIS in Anguilla and Antigua & Barbuda: in consultation with UNICEF, respective Ministries, stakeholders and relevant Government groups develop a report on key recommendations and best practices to support the effective design and delivery of the individual MISs for social protection in Anguilla. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions with Government groups are also important to complete the report. This Report will feed into the institutional firm’s process and therefore includes information/recommendations relevant to the roll-out of the MIS with technical specifications and potential options for interoperability. In Antigua and Barbuda, given the stage of implementation, the report should assess the steps taken thus far and recommend any changes in current design, development and implementation of the MIS.
5. MIS Assessment in St Kitts & Nevis: Review existing MIS infrastructure, processes, and programmes supported. Identify gaps, document requirements and make recommendations on next steps to support national household registry and to support the interoperability among social protection programmes.
6. Develop and deliver a Capacity Building Plan with sessions for key stakeholders on digitalized social protection IMS: This will support capacity building of Government technical staff in the different countries of UNICEF work in MIS. This will include the completion of a training on MIS with examples and different uses.
7. Report on Technical Assistance to supporting operationalization of MIS in the Eastern Caribbean: Support TWG, knowledge management activities, ad hoc needs in the countries supported.
8. Final Report: In consultation with UNICEF and the respective Ministries in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis, develop a final report with lessons learned, and recommendations for next steps in developing national MIS.

WORK ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW:

Reference the attached full ToR for the work assignment overview

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

This assignment is home-based but may require travel outside ECA Duty Station to: Anguilla for two weeks (10 business days), St Kitts and Nevis for two weeks (10 business days), Antigua and Barbuda for one week (5 business days) as well as potentially Trinidad & Tobago for one week (5 business days).

If travel is deemed necessary, the consultant is responsible for arranging his/her own travel, including bearing the costs visas and travel insurance. Accommodation, meals and incidentals costs must not exceed the UN daily subsistence allowance rates. The costs for approved travels will be reimbursed by the UNICEF ECA upon submission of receipts and based on applicable UN DSA rates. All approved travels to be conducted in accordance with UNICEF travel rules and regulations..

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables which receive satisfactory quality review. In general, individual contracts shall not allow for fee advances. However, a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value may be authorized by the Approving Authority in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

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

• A Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Communication Technology, Software Engineering, Project Management, and any related field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience or
• A Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Communication Technology, Software Engineering, Project Management, and any related field with a minimum of an additional 3 years of relevant work experience totaling 8 years’ experience).
• Knowledge and experience in developing Management Information Systems for social protection programmes.
• Knowledge and experience in software design and computer science is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in working with Government MIS is a requirement.
• Knowledge and/or experience working in the Caribbean context is an asset.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Fluency in English is required (written and oral fluency.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

This assignment is home-based but may potentially require travel to Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Trinidad & Tobago.

The Consultant is expected to work with his/her laptop and mobile phone and email address. The Consultant will report to the Social Policy Officer in close coordination with the Technology for Development officer, and he/she will work closely with the Ministry of Social Development and Education and the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation & The Environment. The Consultant will be expected to report regularly on progress being made on the contract to the Social Policy Officer. Periodic discussions will also be carried out during the consultancy period to monitor progress and constraints, support required and proposed solutions.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:

Before commencing work, a consultant or individual contractor shall submit a statement of good health and take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that he or she has been informed of the inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized. Consultants and individual contractors shall assume all costs that may occur in relation to the statement of good health. Consultants and individual contractors are required to certify that they are covered by medical/health insurance.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

RECOURSE:

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.

TITLE RIGHTS:

All materials created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract and any intellectual property rights thereof, including but not limited to patents, copyright and trademarks, shall be jointly owned by UNICEF and the Contractor. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights. Any third party usage shall require written permission from both parties.

TRAININGS:

Refer to attached full ToR for required trainings.

HOW To APPLY:

Prospective consultants should apply through UNICEF jobs website using the following link here no later than 19 December 2023 (11:55 pm Atlantic Standard Time). The application package should include the following:

1. A cover letter
2. Detailed curriculum vitae
3. A proposal stipulating all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

Remarks:

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.

[1] HOPE is UNICEF’s humanitarian cash transfer management information system. HOPE can (i) collect beneficiary data, (ii) associate data with cash programmes, (iii) create target populations (iv) manage payment lists (v) send payment lists to Financial Service Providers (FSP), (vi) reconcile payments, (vii) triangulate payment verification information directly from beneficiaries, and (viii) handle grievances and feedback, as well as reporting. While intended for the UNICEF internal use, HOPE is a digital public good whose software libraries will be published open source to make the product accessible and transparent.