Zimbabwe 2016- UNDP Database Consultant Support to Government
UNDP CONSULTANCY: Database Consultant Support to Government Departments
Location : Harare, ZIMBABWE
Application Deadline : 10-Jun-16 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : National Consultant
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 04-Jul-2016
Duration of Initial Contract : 40 days over a period of 2 months
Expected Duration of Assignment : 40 days over a period of 2 months
Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from Department for International Development (DfID), the European Union (EU) and the Government of Zimbabwe have embarked on a resilience building programme in rural communities, the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF). The programme seeks to improve the communities’ adaptive, absorptive and transformation capacity while improving early warning mechanisms and capacitating government (both national and local). Preliminary work on resilience programming under the ZRBF has covered developing the resilience framework for Zimbabwe, mapping key hazards affecting rural livelihoods as well as drafting the programme’s theory change. The resilience framework for Zimbabwe identified building staff capacity as one of the components of improving transformational capacity and promotion of evidence-based policy making at both local and national government levels.
The proposed consultancy will support the existing capacity in selected government departments within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development (MAMID) by proposing improvements of data management practices and facilitating quick analysis through analytical dashboards.
Proposed Consultancy
Since May 2015, the engagements between UNDP and government departments under the hazard mapping identified the need to strengthen and standardise data management within these departments (especially within MAMID). Improvement of data management within these capabilities needed to be supported in order to strengthen the departments’ work in building evidence to support decision and policy making. In the period January to March 2016, bilateral meetings were held between UNDP and technical staff in MAMID’s four departments to identify main issues which may receive support under ZRBF’s capacity building initiative within the national government. Hence this consultancy is a direct response to the main data management challenges identified through these engagements.
Capacity Building Computer Science Data Analysis Data Entry Data Management Data Quality Data sharing Database Management Early Recovery Government Departments Humanitarian Response Information Management JavaScript Livestock Natural Disasters Natural Resources Quality Control Rural communities Rural Livelihoods
In light of the above background, a consultant is required to improve data management within four departments in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Mechanisation (MAMID). In cases where the respective department has no functional database, the consultant will develop the database, consolidate all information into one database, and support staff to undertake and produce analytic products for the internal and external use by the departments.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific Objectives
Under the specific objectives of this consultancy will be to
support and oversee the implementation of the database development, reporting and analytic templates for the selected government departments;
prepare the departments’ databases in a way which allow data sharing and future amalgamation of data at ministry level;
develop operational manual for the database within the selected departments, and;
provide on-the-job training to staff to effectively manage and maintain the databases.
Duties and Responsibilities: The consultant will be supporting four divisions in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development (MAMID) in the following tasks:
Assist in the process of developing and maintenance of databases;
Develop a data analysis system for production of reports in various forms including graphs, charts etc. as required;
Lead in maintenance and further development of the structure or format of the databases as required, incorporating ideas and amendments from technical staff;
Provide additional updates and data analysis as required;
Train the respective departments’ technical staff on the use of the databases and related software;
Maintain strict confidentiality in all aspects of the work even after the contract ends.
Deliverables
Having conducted the above tasks, the Consultant is expected to produce the following: New functional databases for each of the following entities:
the National Early Warning Unit, and
Livestock Production and Development Division
Improved databases for the:
AGRITEX Department, and
Veterinary Services Division.
All four databases will include a dashboard for reporting key variables and the consultant will capacitate staff on quick analytics for internal reporting.
Operational manuals for with special focus on database maintenance, report and creation of analytical products from the respective databases.
A register of trained officials within each department (names, designation and feedback results from the training events).
A technical report summarising all the work done in each of the selected departments. The report should include a section on opportunities for amalgamation of the different databases at ministry level.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies: Professionalism
Advanced knowledge of the use of information management in humanitarian response and recovery environments;
Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative ability to identify and articulate the information management requirements of complex situations requiring a coordinated response between disparate actors;
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks;
Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters).
Communication
Excellent communication and training (spoken and written) skills including the ability to convey complex information management concepts and recommendations to staff at all levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style that can be readily understood by non-information management practitioners.
Teamwork
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
Places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
At least a BSc in Computer Science, Information Management or Statistics. A postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage
Experience:
At least 5 years proven working experience as a data analyst;
Technical expertise regarding data models, database design development, data mining and segmentation techniques;
Ability to write appropriate interfaces (e.g. Microsoft Excel) for data entry and ensure data quality and security;
Strong knowledge of and experience with reporting packages, databases (SQL, VBA etc.), and programming (XML, Javascript, or ETL frameworks);
Adept at queries, report writing and presentation of findings;
Previous experience in developing data management systems for organisations in agriculture/natural resources management/climate data management.
Language:
Excellent verbal and written communication in English.
Timeline, Reporting & Quality Control for the Assignment
Organizational Setting: The consultant will work under the guidance of the ZRBF Head of Unit and the GIS/Data Analyst and all reporting will be to the former. The consultant will work closely with the data experts from the four government units for substantive aspects of the assignment;
Contributions: The Directors and technical experts from government departments will put at the consultant’s disposal all available materials and necessary information for tasks achievement. ZRBFs GIS/Data Analyst will facilitate the necessary engagements with different stakeholders.
Application procedure: Applicants are requested to upload a copy of their latest updated P11 Form which can be downloaded from this website – http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.
Incomplete applications will not be given consideration.
Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document;
Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.
Evaluation: The Consultant will be evaluated based on the qualifications and the years of experience, as outlined in the qualifications/requirements section of the ToR. In addition, the Consultant will also be evaluated on the following methodology: Cumulative analysis: When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;
Technical Criteria weight: 70%.
Financial Criteria weight: 30%.
The award of the contract shall be made to the Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the ToR.
Selection Criteria: Technical Evaluation: 70% of total evaluation (maximum 70 points):
Criteria A: Education (maximum 10 points);
Criteria B: Experience (maximum 50 points, divided into 40 points for substantive and technical expertise in the area of information management, in particular with specific knowledge and experience in Database management and early recovery; 10 points for experience within the UN system and/or inter-agency settings);
Criteria C: Language (maximum 10 points).
Final selection: Only the candidate with the highest ranked will be selected.
Note: Only the highest ranked candidates who have obtained a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation.
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.