IT Expert

IT Expert Location : Home-based- with Potential Travel to Istanbul or New York Application Deadline : 18-Nov-15 Type of Contract : Individual Contract Post Level : International Consultant Languages Required : English Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 05-Dec-2016 Duration of Initial Contract : 132 working days Expected Duration of Assignment : Six months with possible extension Background Launched in 2008, the Business Call to Action (BCtA) is a global membership platform that encourages private sector companies to develop innovative business models that combine profitability with development impact, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). BCtA members are market leaders and innovators, committed to developing commercially viable business ventures that engage people living at the Base of the economic Pyramid (BoP) as consumers, producers, suppliers, and distributors of goods and services. Member companies are spearheading efforts to provide the poor with the tools and resources they need to succeed by promoting economic opportunity. BCtA provides a leadership platform for companies to demonstrate their commitment to development and to access global expertise on innovation at the BoP. Members benefit from: Recognition as part of a high-visibility leadership platform, including association with the UN brand and possible international speaking engagements; Access to a global knowledge network on inclusive business models and communities of practice; Partnerships with development agencies, international organizations, and other companies; Validation and dissemination of results, including within the UN Network, from specific BoP business models. BCtA is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), UK Department for International Development (DFID), US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Finland, and the United Nations Development Programme which hosts the secretariat in collaboration with leading global institutions, such as the United Nations Global Compact. BCtA’s business development, knowledge management, communications and marketing efforts are designed to strengthen and increase its membership, increase brand recognition within the public, private and I/NGO sectors as well as the general population and position its members and donors as innovators of business models that combine profitability with development to further the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The BCta Website: BCtA’s website contains confidential information and as such requires ongoing oversite to protect it from any form of security breach. This oversite is in addition to ongoing technical support needed by BCtA staff whether due to ongoing content changes/updates, standard maintenance, etc. as well as unanticipated emergencies caused by BCtA staff or outside sources. BCtA is seeking to engage a Contractor to redesign its website to make it more engaging and informative for users, strengthen and enhance its content management system including web-based applications and database linked with the customization and linkage of Saleforce, simplify its interactivity with supporting infrastructure and enhance its role as both a destination and repository of valuable information for its target communities. However, BCtA’s current website maintenance provider will come to an end on 31 December 2015 leaving the site vulnerable to compromise therefore require management/security oversite between the completion of the existing provider contract and the engagement of new Contractor. The search for a new Contractor is pending the development of a comprehensive TORs that addresses the technical expertise needed for successful selection. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision and strategic guidance of the Project Manager, and in close coordination with the Communications Lead and the Knowledge and Partnership Lead, the IT Expert will undertake the following tasks: Provide the BCtA website with ongoing oversite to protect it from any potential security breach, address unanticipated emergencies whether caused by BCtA or another source, as well as ongoing routine maintenance to ensure full, uninterrupted functionality. This oversite will be in force during the period between the close of the current management contract (31 December, 2015) until the new Contractor is fully engaged with BCtA’s work. IC will also provide support to BCtA staff a needed to handle updates/changes/alterations to the existing site. Write the Terms of Reference (TORs) and technical specifications needed to successfully engage a technically skilled Contractor to develop and maintain the BCtA website. These specifications will be drawn from conversations and interaction with BCtA personnel to ensure a comprehensive understanding of BCtA’s needs and expectations. The following broad functionalities of the website and Contractor services will be addressed in the TORs. It will be incumbent upon the IC to address any needs not covered by the below: A content management system easily and instantly updated by non-technical BCtA staff; Once launched and deemed acceptable by BCtA to be final, contractor be available for ongoing and proactive maintenance and appropriate upgrades, support to address emergencies, cyberattacks, etc., and as well as ongoing support to BCtA staff as needed; Seamless conversion of selected existing capacities and content, including but not limited to Salesforce interface and data collection, to new site; Visually appealing and reflective of BCtA’s mission and mandate; Consistent design throughout with a dynamic mix of graphic, photo and video content; Easy and intuitive to navigate by users; no more than three levels of drop down to find desired content; Compliance with Content Accessibility guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium standard; Search capabilities using key words/phrasing that will identify content throughout the site; Training and all necessary support to designated BCtA staff; Soft copy user manual for future changes/updates/modifications by BCtA staff. Provide technical advice to BCtA during the review and selection process to ensure the engagement of a technically skilled Contractor with the requisite knowledge and expertise to perform the tasks detailed on the TORs. Impact of Results: During the period of website/management, the BCtA website will be protected from all forms of internal and external compromise, will experience no break(s) in service as a result of routine use, and will have any and all emergencies, whether due to BCtA actions or from outside sources, dealt with promptly. In addition, BCtA staff needs related to updates/changes/alterations to the existing site will be dealt promptly; A comprehensive TORs addressing the technical specifications needed to successfully engage a technically skilled Contractor to develop and maintain the BCtA website; Technical advice to support item above. Competencies Core Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN system; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Functional Competencies: Understanding of Salesforce and content management systems for websites; Sound knowledge of advanced web technologies; Good communication and interpersonal skills, including verbal and written English; and An ability to foster networks and partnerships. Required Skills and Experience Education: Minimum BA (or related Diploma) in Information Technology/Computer Science or related field. Experience: Minimum 4 years of work experience in the field of Web Development; Previous experience with web migration and the development of content management systems; Experience with the development and management of dynamic web projects; Understanding of Salesforce and content management systems for websites; Experience/understanding with writing software requirements specifications; Sound knowledge of advanced web technologies; Experience with functional testing of websites and applications; Experience/familiarity with the UN system is an asset. Language: Fluency in English is required (written and verbal); Working knowledge of other UN official language(s) is desirable. Application Procedures: The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications: Step 1: Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file): Personal History Form (P11), indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references (the template can be downloaded from this link: http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); A brief, 500 word statement explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the assignment. Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal Applicants are instructed to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to bpps.procurement@undp.org using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal for BCtA Annual Forum Event Coordinator" by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline will be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. The term ‘all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel related expenses, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal. Travel: The consultant might be expected to undertake travel related to this assignment. All the costs related to official travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses will be covered by the programme. Evaluation of Applicants: Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. The award of the contract will be made to the individual 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 - max. 100 points: Experience with the development and management of dynamic web projects – 20; Understanding of Salesforce and content management systems for websites – 20; Experience/understanding with writing software requirements specifications – 15; Experience with functional testing of websites and applications – 15; Sound knowledge of advanced web technologies 15; Minimum 4 years of work experience in the field of Web Development – 10. Good communication and interpersonal skills, including verbal and written English, and an ability to foster networks and partnerships – 5. The above technical criteria will be weighed at 75% and interviews will be conducted in line with the above technical criteria and will be weighed at 25% of total technical evaluation. Only candidates obtaining a minimum combined score of 70% out of 100 will be considered for the financial evaluation. Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (µ/z) where; p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated; y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal (30 points); µ = price of the lowest priced proposal; z = price of the proposal being evaluated. The award of contract will be made to the individual consultant who receives the highest combined score out of the weighted technical and financial criteria as specified above. Important Note: UNDP practices fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their price proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. UNDP retains the right to contact references directly. Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process. General Terms and Conditions_Individual Consultant (IC) http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.