Project Officer

The Philippines is recognized as a high user of online services: an estimated 67 million Filipinos use Facebook. Yet 59% of the population and 72% of all households’ lack access to the internet. The Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project, otherwise known as Pipol Konek, was implemented starting June 2016. Pipol Konek aims to provide free broadband Internet access to public places across the country. The target beneficiary sites of Pipol Konek is 13,024 by December 2018. As of August 2018, a total of 3,509 sites have already been installed, with 1,592 live sites and 1,689 sites with access points installed but awaiting telco links.

On August 2, 2017, Republic Act No. 10929 otherwise known as the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act of 2017 was enacted, which mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) as the lead implementing agency that will oversee the effective and efficient implementation of said Act. Under said law, the Free Public Internet Access Program was created that shall provide free access to internet service in public places throughout the country such as the national and local government offices; public basic education institutions; state universities and colleges, and TESDA technology institutions; public hospitals, health centers and rural health units; public parks, plazas, libraries, and barangay reading centers; public airports and seaports; and public transport terminals.

The vision is to reach 200,000 sites by 2026. However, challenges in the bidding and implementation process, limited access to cost-effective and up-to-date technology options, as well as limited capacity of Philippine telecommunications companies at the local level have slowed progress toward this goal.

This proposed project will support DICT’s commitment to accelerate the roll-out of the Pipol Konek project. Working in partnership with DICT, UNDP will use its National Acceleration Modality to draw international expertise and temporarily apply its procurement system for managed services contracts for designated areas that currently have no or limited access to internet in public places. This phase of the DICT-UNDP partnership aims to expand internet access in up to 6,000 additional sites.

The project will contribute to closing the digital divide in the Philippines by providing incentives to encourage new and existing local and international service providers to expand internet coverage in designated areas. The project will incorporate third-party monitoring mechanisms to ensure internet service providers meet service quality standards. The project will also include resources to develop the capacity of DICT staff to oversee the procurement, management and implementation of future large-scale Information Communication Technology (ICT) investments. Governance arrangements will be established for the project that ensure proactive management of project activities and performance.

The project will support four outputs:

Output 1: Broadening people’s access to free internet services in designated sites;

Output 2: Organize and develop the capacity of citizens and their organizations to use, monitor delivery and installation of internet connections and performance of the free public internet service;

Output 3: Develop the capacity of DICT to contract and oversee the performance of internet service providers; and,

Output 4: Project management and quality assurance.

UNDP is seeking the services of a Project Officer who will provide overall support for the effective implementation of Output 1: Broadening people’s access to free internet services in designated areas, including implementation of community mobilization, capacity building and knowledge management related activities that are necessary to achieve the objectives of the Pipol Konek Project.

Under the overall guidance of the Outcome Lead and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer (PO) will be recruited to provide daily assistance to the Project Manager. The PO will act as a full-time staff member of the Project Management Office (PMO) and will primarily assist for the efficient implementation of Output 1.

The PO shall work in close collaboration with other members of the PMO and project partners in the implementation of all tasks and activities related to the said outputs. All tasks will have to be conducted promptly and according to the project implementation plans. Key objectives of this position are to effectively manage the deployment and provision of service to the targeted last mile sites and to systematically transfer technical knowledge in internet network systems, and to build capacity of the partner organizations and to the individual counterparts.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Effective planning, implementation, management of service level agreement and monitoring of Output 1: Broadening people’s access to free internet services in designated sites;
• Support to development of strategic designs and implementation of the work-plan;
• Support in preparation of Request for Proposal (RFP), procurement, contract management, monitoring and evaluation of the project;
• Ensure provision of replicable model of Pipol Konek deployment and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

Ensures effective planning, implementation, management of service level agreement, and monitoring of Output 1: Broadening People’s access to free internet services within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned, focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the project to achieve the following results:

• Provide support in overseeing internet network design, planning, implementation and monitoring;

• Ensure mainstreaming gender in all components of the project;
• Support capacity building of key partners and their coordination for effective implementation of the project;
• Coordinate with partner agencies and government implementing partners through periodic meetings for continued update on field activities, challenges and results;
• Analyze reports and outputs of partners for quality control, undertake field missions, identifying challenges, suggest possible solutions and provide advice and support;
• Assist in analyzing quality of project design and implementation, and periodically update the project monitoring framework incorporating reviews, lessons learned, and best practices; and
• Perform other duties as may be directed by the Project Manager.

Support to development of strategic designs and implementation of the work-plan to support Outcome 1 focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide technical support to procurement and contract management;
• Provide input to the development of annual work plans for the Project component and oversee the preparation of documentation in support of AWPs accordingly;
• Support the delivery of Outputs 1 of the workplan and its outputs through consultants, contractors and partners;
• Analyze and monitor progress with implementation of activities and advise the Project Manager on timely corrective actions for proper project delivery; and
• Together with project counterparts, work under the Project Manager to identify new technologies and areas of support and facilitate implementation of new initiatives.

Support to report writing, analysis, procurement, monitoring and evaluation of the project focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Work closely with Senior Network Engineer/M&E Officer to ensure that Monitoring and Evaluation data for Project component are delivered in a timely manner and in an appropriate format;
• Oversee the contribution to weekly, bi-monthly, quarterly, mid-year, annual and any other reporting;
• Oversee national partner reporting, as relevant, and where necessary help them to improve in line with UNDP and project reporting standards; and,
• Promote information sharing and coordination with other components and UNDP projects.

Ensures provision of replicable model of Pipol Konek deployment and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Demonstrate an efficient, effective and replicable model for the deployment of Pipol Konek for consideration in future projects;

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals; and
• Support to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Core:

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 4: Models independent thinking and action 

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Operational Effectiveness

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Models independent thinking and action

Level 4: Demonstrates behaviors of teamwork, collaboration, knowledge sharing, maintaining relationships

Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others

Level 4: Creates new opportunities for team, not just self to learn and take on new responsibilities

• Actively shares knowledge

Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Level 4: Embraces complex challenges and opportunities for getting work done

• Ability to embrace challenges with minimal supervision
• Works to develop organizational awareness of UNDP’s approach to client service delivery and integrity and accountability 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology/Computer Science/ Geography/ Geomatics Engineering/Economics

Experience:

• At least 2 years of working experience in the implementation of UNDP programs and projects; and/or relevant project management experience
• At least 2 years of technical experience, with focus on quality control/quality of service monitoring; and/or relevant experience
• At least 5 years of experience working with government agencies and local government units; and/or relevant experience;
• Relevant experience in GIS, mapping tasks, working in remote areas and social development is an asset;
• Proficiency in standard software applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc. is required; and
• Previous experience in mentoring and training counterparts is desired.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent written & verbal English language skills

Other:

• Experience with international development agencies would be desirable.

UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staffs and encourages. Further, UNDP is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNDP staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside.

UNDP has zero tolerance of harassment, discrimination, sexual abuse, abuse of authority and exploitation.

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.undp.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNDP Personal History Form. Please note that UNDP only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received throughhttp://jobs.undp.org will be considered and applications received after closing date will not be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNDP Philippines vacancies, only applicants short-listed for written test and interview will be contacted.

General Information

UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staffs and encourages applications from qualified candidates and persons with disabilities.

UNDP is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNDP staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNDP jobs.

UNDP has zero tolerance of sexual abuse, abuse of authority and exploitation.

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