National Consultant to develop concept on the integrated information management system for social programming in Tbilisi, Georgia

Contract

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For every child, protection

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

To develop a concept of the Municipal Social Information Management System (MSIMS)

Background:

In terms of the subsidiarity principle, decisions are taken as closely as possible to the community member. The Decentralization Strategy of Georgia (2020-2025) aims to decentralize various domains of public sphere and underlines that powers and respective resources be distributed among central authorities and local self-governments. Decentralization Strategy defines the responsibilities to be transferred to municipalities. In the framework of the decentralization reform, the responsibilities of municipalities are substantially increased in social security among other areas. Transfer of these powers are necessary for the improvement of living conditions of local communities. This implies for the municipalities more social obligations, including delegated responsibilities and more involvement in ensuring the welfare of its community members, including children.

These new responsibilities are strengthened by the various legal acts including the Law on Social Work; Law on Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and the Code on the Rights of the Child. The Law on Social Work (2018) introduces professionals in different fields and at the municipal level to support vulnerable families, especially families with children. Georgia passed the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which entered into force in 2021. The Law is important as it tasks local municipalities to develop and implement programmes supporting independent life and social inclusion based on the needs of persons with disabilities and with their involvement. According to the Code on the Rights of the Child, municipalities are granted a significant role in child protection and support. This role is two-fold: on the one hand municipalities should be able to identify a child and families in need and support them though social work and other services available in the community; while on the other hand, municipalities will need to able to identify social needs in the community and address them through social programmes. To carry out these duties, new structural units have been established in municipalities. These new units, in cooperation with the municipal social departments, work on development of relevant municipal social programmes and provision of municipal services to children and their families to support the wellbeing and harmonious development of families.

These legislative novelties require increases in capacities within municipalities to develop and manage social programmes and to serve individual beneficiaries. Since 2021, UNICEF, together with the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALA) and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI) and the Ministry of Internally Displaced People from Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs (MoIDPLHSA) and with financial support from the European Union, has been supporting improvements of social programming for children and their families in Georgian municipalities through developing municipal capacities in child-centered needs-based social programming. The support implies activities: (1) assessing social needs of communities in relation to children within pilot municipalities; and (2) implementing needs-based approaches to municipal social programming. For these actions, 10 pilot municipalities have been identified: Akhaltsikhe, Ambrolauri, Batumi, Dusheti, Kareli, Kutaisi, Marneuli, Ozurgeti, Telavi, and Zugdidi using the agreed criteria where the abovementioned work is underway. In the frames of the project, social needs assessment methodology and tools were prepared, and the workforce concerned with the implementation of the needs assessment as well programme planning has been trained on its application. Currently, the needs assessment process has started which will be followed by prioritization of the identified needs and the planning of new and/or revised social programmes. This work prepares the ground for municipalities to run needs-based child-centered social programmes.

Such increased obligations in social programming at the municipal level necessitates existence of the relevant information management system to enable effective, efficient, and quality support. Developing a social protection information management system – one that enables the flow and management of information within the social protection sector and sometimes beyond – can ensure a more equitable, responsive, and inclusive distribution of resources in social sphere while also protecting personal privacy and increasing efficiency and effectiveness of delivery and, most importantly, better serving community members and especially the most vulnerable, children and families with children. It is increasingly important that local self-government (especially its social protection structures) have access to electronic systems and technology that enables them to serve needs of their communities on the one hand and to effectively manage the social programs on the other. As per Article 84 of the Code on the Rights of the Child, the Georgian Government is mandated to collect, manage and analyze data on the realization of the rights of the child.

Georgia has undergone significant digital transformations over the past 25 years which have increased the use of technology, expanded internet access and built digital skills. Government reforms enabled modernization of core digital platforms and services and adoption of technologies for the public administration.

In 2019, MRDI developed a unified standard of e-government in 63 municipalities of Georgia within the framework of the decentralization reform. The portal can be accessed at www.ms.gov.ge. It serves to improve and simplify business processes in municipalities, raise awareness of the principles of governance policy, and ensure access to information. Electronic modules that were developed are means for providing municipal services to community members. There were 17 modules developed, which in turn are divided into two parts: the first includes modules designed to ensure the management of municipal operations, which are actively used in the daily activities of local government employees ; and the second part are the modules designed to engage and inform people.

MoIDPLHSA established a new LEPL Information Technology Agency in 2021. The main goal of which is faster and more coordinated development of the process of technological solutions in the Ministry. The Agency aims to consolidate resources and increase coordination, which should improve the processes of the Ministry’s electronic systems. The Agency runs around 150 electronic systems and modules concerning health, social and labour directions of the Ministry. The current system is designed at helping municipalities to administer health programmes; i.e. developed an electronic system of the referrals for the municipalities, that provides management of municipal programmes of health and social services and control over their implementation.

Currently, the Government Administration of Georgia is developing a “Regulation on the unified electronic system of data collection, analysis and coordination” in the frame of a broader attempt to coordinate actions at the central and local level related to children and families with children. The mentioned document will regulate information exchange and coordination between central government and municipalities in terms of child rights protection. The electronic databases of the municipality are an integral part of the national electronic system.

Decentralization of social services in Georgia is largely delayed due to low capacity of the municipalities to effectively administer its social programmes. Especially problematic is registration and verification of the beneficiaries. The new municipal electronic system (of a unified standard of e-government) developed by MRDI will partially solve the problem, as it will streamline the document management process, enable municipalities to access different data systems, as well as enable community members to apply for different programs from a so called one stop online center, however it does not collect, process and analyse the data or support the electronic management of social programmes. Besides, it is important to have a holistic picture over the variety of social and health benefits certain individuals and/or families are eligible for, to avoid duplications while other vulnerable persons might be left out of the realm of relevant programmes. That’s why there is a necessity to develop a municipal information management system (MSIMS) to effectively plan, implement, manage and monitor social programmes, namely programmes that are meant for children and families with children. The aim of such a system will be to collect information on applicants and beneficiaries, be able to share it between programmes and levels of government and to build a comprehensive picture of the social profile of beneficiaries (and those denied access) as well as the performance of social programmes.

With this in mind, based on the agreement with the Government of Georgia, UNICEF plans to support in the development of the concept for an integrated information management system for municipalities that will enable them to effectively administer social protection programmes. For this purpose, a service provider will be recruited to develop a concept note on the municipal information management system for the management of the social programmes for children and families.

Purpose and scope

To develop a concept of Municipal Social Information Management System

Methodology and activities

The service provider will carry out following activities:

• Desk review and meetings with relevant stakeholders to understand the current situation and IT needs related to social programing at the municipal level, available electronic systems concerning social programming and existing gaps.
• Developing draft concept note on the Municipal Social Information Management, which will cover subjects/issues including but not limited to:
  • Introduction and definition of terms
  • Brief overview of the existing Municipal Social Information Management practice
  • Gaps and required solutions
  • List of suggested relevant indicators to collect, including their definitions and sources for collection.
  • Background and rationale for integrated social protection mechanisms
  • Elements of an integrated data and information system for social protection in Georgia
  • Identifying the legislative amendments necessary to enact the new Municipal Social Information Management, including a rule on the processing of the personal information according to the national legislation
  • Proposed phases of establishment of the integrated system for municipal social protection
• Proposed variants on the compliance with the law on privacy during the processing of the personal information
• Present the concept note to the stakeholders, obtain their feedback and consider in the document where relevant
• Finalizing the concept note and validate in the working group, preparing the long version as well as Power Point presentation.
• Develop final report of the assignment.

Timeframe and duration

The duration of the contract is 2months.

Supervision and Work Arrangement

The consultant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of UNICEF Georgia’s Social Policy Officer. UNICEF will support the consultant in establishing contacts/working relations with necessary stakeholders when necessary and organize a meeting of stakeholders to get feedback on the draft. Performance of the consultant will be evaluated against the following criteria: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, teamwork, and quality of the products delivered. No Sub-Contracting is allowed or inclusion of the overhead (HQ) costs.

Payment Terms

The payment will be done based on the confirmed budget of the proposed activity. The payment will be made upon submission and approval of relevant and good quality deliverables as a lump sum after the submission of final report.

Duration: 15 October 2022 to 15 December 2022

Location: Home-based

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline:

In-depth analysis of current situation and Information management needs related to social programing at the municipal level, available electronic systems concerning social programming and existing gaps.

Study report (ENG/GEO)

5 days

Developing draft concept note on the integrated information management system for social programming, suggesting relevant indicators to collect, including their definitions and sources for collection.

*Draft concept note ENG/GEO**,* *List of indicators with indicator passports. ENG/GEO*

5 days

Develop a rule on the processing of the personal information according to the national legislation,

rule on the processing of the personal information as per national legislation. . ENG/GEO

2 day

Present the concept note to the stakeholders, obtain their feedback

Working group meeting

1 day

Finalize the Concept note

Submit Concept note and its Power point presentation

1 Day

Application Deadline and Documents

In addition to the documents required by the application form please submit the following documents:

• A proposal detailing all actions mentioned in the given TOR and timeline.
• Indication of all activities (as shown in the Work Assignment overview and timeline section) together with the proposed fees.
• List of completed similar projects

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

Education: Social sciences, public administration, information technologies, or related field, social policy, public policy. Advanced degree will be an asset.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the areas of local self-government strengthening, capacity building and support; public engagement, communications, social programs/services development
• Comprehensive knowledge of local self-government
• Demonstrated knowledge of data collection methodologies.
• Experience in organizing and delivery of workshops
• Partnership building and networking experience.
• Fluency in conducting workshops in Georgian and developing documents in Georgian and English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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 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.

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:

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.

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.