Individual Consultant: Web Design and Development Localizing e-Government for Accelerated Provision of Services (National only)

Background

Since 2012, the UNDP Country Office (CO) in the Philippines has worked on local multi-dimensional poverty reduction initiatives by facilitating the convergence of capacities of government, private sector, academe, CSOs and communities. The CO mapped interventions against at the local level, focusing on data collection and reporting, planning and budgeting, the development of incentives for reform, and capacity development. More recently, the CO has drawn on the lessons from these interventions to shift the focus to SDG localization, which include flexible partnerships with local universities under the G-HUBS initiative; third-party, citizen monitoring systems, including the DevLIVE app; and analytical work on governance indices and incentives.

Progress has been made on building capacities for planning and programming for more effective service delivery at the local level; however, the majority of LGUs in the Philippines are trapped in archaic, inefficient, non-transparent and paper-based, overly bureaucratic systems that lead to poor quality, non-responsive and unaccountable service delivery, with corruption risks that constrain the shift to the more integrated and holistic programming and planning required to achieve the SDGs. Adoption of internationally tested innovations in data acquisition and management, digitization and people-centered development practices that could have a transformative impact has also been limited.

To build on these efforts, the CO – working in close cooperation with key national government agencies, regional governments and local government units – intends to prototype support for the transformative power of data, digitalization and people-centered governance to make local public services future-ready, more efficient and effective, and to accelerate progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the country’s national development objectives.

The recent passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the establishment of a three-year transition authority in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) provides an important opportunity to improve governance and public service delivery in one of the poorest parts of the country that has suffered from long-term fragility and instability. In response, UNDP is focusing its assistance to the region, particularly to the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), in addressing digital governance, digital transformation and application of digital solutions to address development and governance constraints in the public sector.

To support these efforts the CO, in partnership with MILG is developing the Localizing e-Government for Accelerated Provision of Services (LEAPS) project. The project will prototype approaches to redesigning business processes for essential services to make them future-ready, user-centered, more efficient and less prone to corruption. The project will establish platforms that provide a robust evidence base for integrated planning and investment to achieve the SDGs.

To inform design of the LEAPS project, the CO is facilitating knowledge transfer from the Access to Information (a2i) program – a UNDP-supported initiative of the Government of Bangladesh. Resource persons from a2i are expected to share their knowledge and resources on all aspects of project design, tools and resources.The LEAPS project will include the development of a new internet-based portal for MILG and all local government units under its supervision which will facilitate citizen’s access to information and eventually, to a broad variety of the agency and LGUs’ services. Guided by the Government Web Template Design of DICT which aims to institutionalize a corporate online identity for all government websites and aided by the Access to Information’s (a2i) National Portal Framework, the MILG and LGU portals will be designed to institutionalize transparency and good governance through improved web presence and online services; and contribute to a reduction in time, cost and visits incurred by citizens in accessing government information and services.

Duties and Responsibilities

A. Scope of Work/ Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The Consultant shall carry out the following tasks which span website development, hosting, content management, maintenance and capacity building tasks:

• Design a detailed methodology and workplan with specific timetable for delivery of outputs as mutually agreed with UNDP and the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG)-BARMM;
• Work closely with counterpart/s from a2i and MILG in developing the websites using new and applicable web development and design tools;
• Develop web pages, web templates, prototypes and websites using the latest technologies;
• Integrate in the MILG website the microsites for LGUs subject to the approval of MILG;
• Enhance web user experience by taking into account responsiveness (mobile friendly), visual effectiveness, reliability, and speed;
• Identify and perform quality control of the requisite data formats of all elements to be uploaded in the websites as well as ensure that the websites are stable across various browser platforms;
• Incorporate features and functionalities of social media to forge a deeper and more meaningful public engagement;
• Incorporate appropriate level of security;
• Assist with content update when the changes that have to be made are not possible from the CMS user interface;
• Assist the MILG and LGUs in the hosting and maintenance of the new websites and other protocols in website management;
• Maintain full backup of the websites throughout the duration of the contract (backup, code and source files will be delivered in full to client on closing of the contract);
• Conduct training to MILG Regional on content management system, website maintenance, search engine optimization and site analysis; and
• Provide regular feedback to the MILG and UNDP’s Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Outcome Team.?

B. Institutional Arrangement

For the duration of the contract, the Consultant shall report to the UNDP Philippines Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Outcome Team Lead. Reporting is output-based and all deliverables must be submitted to UNDP-I&P. Similarly, the final outputs should be formally accepted by the Outcome Lead of I&P, UNDP Philippines before any payment is made.

C. Duration of Work, Duty Station and TravelThe target start-of-work date is 30 December 2019 -  10 April 2020, 40 man-days for four months. Effectivity of the engagement will be upon signing of the contract and will be valid until all outputs have been delivered and accepted. 

The position will be based in Manila to allow accessibility and availability for discussions and reporting on progress of activities as may be required by UNDP I&P Outcome Team. Though the consultant will not be required to report regularly at the UNDP, but shall agree with the UNDP I&P Outcome Lead on a regular schedule to report on status and provide feedback on the outputs.

Travel expenses during field works in Cotabato (a total of 10man-days for three events: consultation meeting, presentation of prototype and training of end users) as well as materials and related costs for the engagement shall be borne by the Consultant and should be reflected in the financial proposal.

D. Price and Schedule of Payments

The Consultant should send a financial proposal based on a lump-sum amount for the delivery of the outputs identified below. The total amount quoted shall include all costs components required to deliver the goods and services identified above, including professional fees and any other applicable costs (i.e., transportation/travel to and from: Residence to Cotabato, Manila and/or within Metro Manila, to meeting venues, supplies and materials, communications, etc.) to be incurred by the Consultant in completing the assignment.

The contract price will be fixed output-based price. Any deviations from the outputs and timelines will need to be agreed upon between the Consultant and UNDP.

Payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables by target due dates. Outputs will be reviewed and certified by the Outcome Lead, I&P Team, UNDP prior to release of payments.

Deliverables/ Outputs	Target Due Dates	Review and Approvals Required	Tranches
Signed contract; submission and approval of a proposed workplan, requirement analysis and specifications;	December 20, 2019	Outcome Lead for Institutions and Partnerships	20%
Website draft prototype and iterations	February 10, 2020		20%
Website final prototype and usability tests, iterations and website maintenance; website launching; maintenance	March 20, 2020		40%
Technical assistance and training for website administrators; Handover of complete documentation	April 10, 2020		20%

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values, and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in meetings

 

Other Competencies

• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize, and execute effectively;
• Initiative, good analytical skills, mature judgment and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics and honesty;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a diverse environment
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients;
• Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment and to deal with complex multi-stakeholder environment
• Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources;
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills, focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

Educational Qualification

Minimum: A first level university degree in combination with additional 6 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

Minimum:

• At least five (5) years in experience in systems design, applications development, client server systems, and/or public sector governance reforms, including digital governance, public sector digital transformation and application of digital solutions to address public sector and development issues;
• At least two (2) years of relevant work experience on projects with nationwide or regional coverage and limited technological infrastructure
• At least two (2) years knowledge and experience in IT solutions to Government Operations (“G2G”) and/or Public Service Delivery to Citizens (“G2C”) and/or Businesses (“G2B”), and/or Public Data Platforms, and its interoperability.

 

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Offers will be evaluated based on combined scoring method – where the Technical Proposal will be evaluated based on qualifications in the CV. The Technical evaluation is weighted a max. of 70%.

The Financial Proposal that will be evaluated through submission of the Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability for the IC including Financial Proposal Template and combined with the price offer will be weighted a max of 30%;

For the evaluation of the Technical Proposal, the selection of the successful consultant must be based on the following qualifications (with the appropriate obtainable points):

Qualifications	Points Obtainable (100)
Education Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant areas, e.g., information systems development, software development, computer science, or related areas. A first level university degree in combination with additional 6 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.	20
Experience
At least five (5) years in experience in systems design, applications development, client server systems and/or public sector governance reforms, including digital governance, and/or public sector digital transformation and/or application of digital solutions to address public sector and development issues	30
At least two (2) years of relevant work experience on projects with nationwide or regional coverage and limited technological infrastructure which may include liaising with clients so as to understand their needs and developing design specifications in collaboration with client so as to secure buy-in of planned concept	30
At least two (2) years knowledge and experience in IT solutions to Government Operations (“G2G”) and/or Public Service Delivery to Citizens (“G2C”) and/or Businesses (“G2B”), and/or Public Data Platforms, and its interoperability.	20
TOTAL	100

Only applicants with a minimum score of 70 points in the Technical Criteria will be considered for final evaluation.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

The IC must submit the following:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP; You may download the editable version of the Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability for the IC by clicking on this link: http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects;
• Three (3) references attesting to the above competencies and experience, as well as the contact details (email address and telephone number).
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (fill in only those that are applicable).

Budget Item	Cost	Details/Assumptions
Professional Services
Travel
Meals and Lodging
Supplies, Reproduction
Communication
Others

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.