IT Specialist- Technical Assistance to MOLSA (Ethiopian nationals only)

UNICEF is seeking for professional Consultant to finalize set-up and ensure functionality of Management Information System (MIS) to support an integrated Nutrition Social Cash Transfer Pilot Programme in two regions of SNNPR and Oromia and at federal level of MOLSA.

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Background

UNICEF in its role as a technical advisor to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), supports the general implementation of effective and integrated systems in the area of Social Protection in Ethiopia. In this context, UNICEF specifically collaborates with MoLSA in its role towards the effective management of Permanent Direct Support (PDS) and Temporary Direct Support (TDS) clients of the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP).

Besides focusing on policy design at National level, UNICEF also implements pilot interventions in the area of integrated Nutrition and Social Protection/Social Cash Transfers (SCT) as well as aims to strengthen the integrated Systems Approach within the PSNP. As part of this holistic approach, UNICEF has been supporting the establishment of a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS) in the two pilot regions of SNNPR and Oromia since 2016. The UNICEF supported MIS represents the digital replication of the paper-based case management system, which was jointly developed by UNICEF and the Government of Ethiopia to enable the Social Workers to record and follow-up cases related to respective co-responsibilities of PSNP PDS and TDS clients. TDS clients are pregnant and lactating women as well as caretakers of malnourished children, who are transitioned to the PDS component of the PSNP at a temporary basis. Co-responsibilities to comply with are related to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health as well as effective treatment of malnourishment. Other co-responsibilities relate to regular school attendance of school-aged children.

The UNICEF-supported MIS is based on specific hardware, which was set-up at Federal, Regional and Woreda levels. To ensure the MIS will serve the specific needs of relevant stakeholders of the Integrated Nutrition Social Cash Transfer (IN SCT) pilot, an international consultancy firm was contracted to develop a tailor-made MIS software, which was installed at relevant government offices, while the hardware was provided through a separate Addis-based vendor.

Justification

While the MIS hardware and software was set up in both Regions and all participating Woredas (4), several technical issues – related to both hardware and software components – were identified indicating further need for effective coordination of the MIS implementation to ensure that the MIS fully addresses the needs of the involved stakeholders and its full functionality is achieved. 

UNICEF is therefore looking for a national MIS specialist with strong leadership and hands-on technical knowledge on the effective and efficient implementation of SCT-related MIS. The candidate must be able to coordinate with contracted hardware and software suppliers for immediate resolution of pending technical issues to ensure availability and functionality of the installed SCT MIS in all the four Woredas. In addition, the candidate must equally be capable to liaise with the regional and Woreda MIS officers to ensure that social workers are using the MIS and that the captured data will be backed up and submitted to the regional and federal levels accordingly.

 Specific Tasks

• Rapidly assess hardware of MIS at Federal, Regional and Woreda Levels;
• Undertake efficient trouble-shooting for identified hardware issues;
• Rapidly assess software of MIS at Federal, Regional and Woreda Levels with backstopping support of consultancy firm, which developed the MIS;
• In cooperation with consultancy firm, undertake effective troubleshooting of remaining software issues and ensure that the SCT application software is upgraded;
• Oversee the data entry at Woreda levels and ensure timely finalization of this exercise;
• Ensure regular data production and flow from Woreda to Regional and to Federal level
• To enable government stakeholders to produce regular (monthly) reports at Woreda, Regional and Federal level ;

• Regularly maintain an effective database backup system (for SQL Server Database and MIS Source code) provided by contracted consultancy firm using appropriate tools;

• Supervise the Regional and Woreda MIS Officers and ensure that the MIS is functional and that data is being captured and reported to stakeholders on a regular basis.                       

  Expected Deliverables

• Inception report highlighting detailed hardware and software assessment and presenting a plan of action
• Weekly reports to UNICEF SPESI section about identified issues at hardware and software levels of MIS and documentation about effective trouble-shooting
• Bi-Weekly progress reports on all above described tasks to be submitted to UNICEF SPESI section
• Monthly written report of progress
• Monthly IN-SCT beneficiaries coverage per woredas in the two regions
• Final report of the six months consultancy

 Reporting and payment schedule

• 20% on delivery of detailed hardware and software assessment reports
• 20% on delivery of successful trouble-shooting reports and full functionality of MIS at hardware and software levels
• 20% on delivery of regular progress report and finalization of data entry
• 20% on delivery of correct monthly data from Woreda, Regional and Federal levels
• 20% on delivery of a final report with concrete recommendations for the handover of the MIS to woredas, regional and federal authorities

Expected background and Experience

 The candidate must have the following qualifications:

• An advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Science or related degree;
• A minimum of 5-7 years of experience working in the ICT industry with at least 5 years’ hands-on expertise implementing projects with strong information and communication technology components;
• Extensive knowledge of data processing, hardware platforms, and enterprise software applications;
• Technical experience with systems networking, databases, Web development, and user support;
• Solid technical background in Database design, especially relational database management systems, such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and Access;
• Solid technical background in fourth generational programming languages such as Java, Microsoft Visual Studio.NET, Visual Basic, PHP, Borland Delphi;
• Good working knowledge and skills with Microsoft Office Project Management and Software Design Products such as Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Project;
• Experience in the development and implementation of standards, procedures and guidelines to support operational processes;
• Strong Management, Analytical and Problem Solving skills with ability to supervise staff, prepare and review contracts with suppliers of hardware and software components, set work plans and deliverables;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and time management skills;
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage changing priorities; 
• Proven ability to be flexible and hard-working, both independently and in a team environment, in a high pressure on-call environment with changing priorities; 
• Willingness to work occasionally outside of normal business hours; 
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills; and
• A results oriented individual who thrives working in a fast-paced environment.

 Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Technical Knowledge  

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.