Project Liaison Officer for ARMM

Background

UNDP is currently undertaking a project to provide development support services to the Department of Education (DepEd) in the course of its implementation of their 2016 K to 12 Basic Education Program, specifically the DepEd Computerization Programme (DCP). The project is funded from the Philippine Government budget and implemented in accordance with UNDP regulations, rules, policies and procedures as required by the Approved Procurement Plan and Budget agreed between UNDP and DepEd.

The DepEd-UNDP project has commenced the implementation of the DCP Package for Unenergized Public Schools (DCP Batch 34), which will benefit 3,694 schools in Luzon and Mindanao, including about 1,300 schools in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Given this huge number of beneficiary-schools in ARMM and the complex geographic and socio-political terrain of the region, it is necessary for the project to hire a Project Liaison Officer for ARMM. Said Independent Consultant must be a local of the region and must be residing in it or in a nearby province that is logistically accessible to the region (e.g., Zamboanga). The Project Officer will assist the DepEd Project Team in ensuring the smooth implementation of DCP Batch 24 in ARMM, coordinating with the project’s stakeholders in the region, and managing risks to the project specifically for ARMM region. For this contract, the Project Liaison Officer will initially cover both Mainland and Island provinces.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Liaison Officer for ARMM will report directly to the Programme Manager of the UNDP-DepEd Development Support Services to 2016 K to 12 Basic Education Program (herein referred to as “Programme Manager”). The project is under the portfolio of the UNDP CO – Democratic Governance Unit which is headed by the Democratic Governance Team Leader.

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Manager and in close coordination with the Democratic Governance and Procurement Teams of UNDP CO, the Project Liaison Officer for ARMM will carry out the following responsibilities:

• Closely coordinate with the project partners—including but not limited to DepEd-ARMM, the supplier of DCP Batch 34, and the civil society organizations (CSOs) tapped for citizen monitoring—in ensuring that their deliverables are fulfilled according to plan, issues are resolved, and deviations are addressed;
• Identify and map the project’s stakeholders in ARMM and collaborate with the Programme Manager in defining strategies and approaches to engaging these stakeholders;
• Identify and assess risks to the project in ARMM and collaborate with the Programme Manager and other key stakeholders in mitigating or addressing these risks;
• Together with the project stakeholders, conduct warehouse inspections, school-level spot checks, and other activities to ensure the preparedness of schools to receive the ICT packages and the timely delivery and installation of the said packages;
• Consolidate reports, inputs, and other information from the CSOs tapped for the citizen monitoring component of the project and from other project stakeholders;
• Regularly report the project’s status to UNDP CO and immediately elevate issues that require urgent attention by the Programme Manager. In particular, the Project Liaison Officer for ARMM will be expected to submit –
  • A Monthly Progress Report, which provides a snapshot of the project’s implementation in ARMM and summarizes the Project Liaison Officer’s accomplishments;
  • A Quarterly Status Report, which includes an updating of the project’s risks register, the socio-political situationer in ARMM as it affects the project, the consolidation of reports from citizen-monitors/CSO-partners and other stakeholders, among others;
• Perform other related tasks that may be assigned by the DepEd Programme Manager within the stated number of man-days.

The duty station of the said Project Liaison Officer will be either in Cotabato or Zamboanga. In fulfilling his/her duties, he/she will be required to travel within ARMM and to provinces near or adjacent to the region (e.g., if the contractor’s warehouse for an ARMM province is situated outside ARMM). He/she may be required to report to Manila as well as to attend other project activities in other regions, as needed.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• 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 favouritism.

Functional and Technical Competencies:

• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment;
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure and to meet strict and competing deadlines;
• Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Demonstrates self-management, including conflict management/negotiation skills on interpersonal issues;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, Filipino, and the language(s) in ARMM;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively in teams, delivering through and within others;
• Computer literate; good knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, political science, social sciences, public finance, social work, or another development-related discipline from a reputable university required. A Master's degree is desirable. 

Experience

• At least ten (10) years of experience working in ARMM for a development organization, government organization, and/or civil society organization (CSO);
• Proven track record in working on socio-economic development issues and advocacies in ARMM, including but not limited to education, peace, livelihood, among others.
• Knowledge of the government's service delivery systems, public finance systems, basic education systems, as well as civil society engagement is desired.
• Previous working experience with a UN agency or another international agency is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in spoken and written English, Filipino and languages used in ARMM is required

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

A Combined Scoring method will be used in evaluating the offers received. The qualifications and methodology will be weighted 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30%.

Recommended Presentation of Offer and Application Process

Applicants are required to upload in one document  the following documents:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability that indicates the all-inclusive lumpsum contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided; If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
2. Personal CV or 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; 

We encourage applicants to visit http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=41021 to access the Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and view the complete details of Terms of Reference.

In view of the volume of applications UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.