National Expert on Software Concept Development

Background

With financing from the Green Climate Fund, the "National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to advance medium and long-term adaptation planning in Armenia" project (the Project) supports the Government of Armenia to foster the process of the national planning for climate change adaptation (CCA) through an iterative process focused on strengthening foundational capacities to ensure that they are institutionalized for long-term sustainability. The Project aims to address existing barriers, support the prioritization of climate change adaptation investments in six priority sectors (water resources, agriculture, energy, health, tourism and human settlement) and two regions of Armenia, develop adaptation plans, and increase the identification of associated finance options.

With the NAP process, Armenia will lay the groundwork for the systemic and iterative identification of medium- and long-term risks, establish adaptation priorities and build out specific activities that ensure no one is left behind in the country’s work to reach its goals outlined through the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As part of the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the NAP process will contribute to the formulation of corresponding national climate-responsive indicators and targets.

Further information about the Project can be obtained at: http://www.nature-ic.am/en/projects/National-Adaptation-Plan/1030 

The overall objective of the consultancy is to develop a comprehensive concept and technical approach for the website and mobile application of the “Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center” SNCO of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter HMC) aimed at dissemination of meteorological, hydrological, climatic, environmental and forest monitoring as well as other relevant data and information for the use of HMC, its stakeholders, partners, beneficiaries and the public at large, involving all the relevant online options/resources for a consistent and continuous coverage/interaction.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of UNDP Climate Change Program Coordinator and under direct supervision of NAP Project Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the following activities:

• Communicate with the HMC managers, technical staff, public outreach personnel and IT staff, as well as certain key stakeholders and others as advised by the HMC and NAP Project team to elicit the existing expectations of the interface, content and workload of the HMC new website and mobile application (at least in Armenian and English);
• Develop the concept and technical specifications for development of the HMC new website and mobile application to coordinate among available visibility tools, including their addition/removal if necessary; the efficiency of time investment by the content-providers and the effectiveness/ease of perception for the online resource users must be at the core of the said approach (search engine, interactive platform use etc.).
• Identify technical specifications and requirements to implement necessary development and leave the way open for further expansion of the platforms; 
• The concept and technical specifications should reflect but not be limited to:
  1. Technical Specifications and Requirements       
  2. Proposed Structure of portal and mobile application
  3. Content Management System
  4. Schedule and Phases of Implementation of Works
  5. TOR developed, covering following areas:

- Executive Summary/Overview - goals, objectives, mission, and vision that the software should address;

- Summary/Objectives – technical specifics and details that the software should address

- Project Scope - detailed set of deliverables and/or features of the software

- High Level Functional Requirements - this will include also some wireframes and/or mockups for the software;

- Assumptions & Dependencies of the software.

• The Work in close cooperation with the HMC managers, technical staff, public outreach personnel and IT staff as well as NAP project team and provide clarifications to the Program’s team upon their requests.
•  Present drafted ToR to HMC and UNDP project team for approval and finalize the document based on feedback and comments.

Expected Deliverables

1. Concept and technical specifications for development of the HMC new website and mobile application drafted and agreed. (by 10 September 2021)
2. Terms of reference for development of the HMC website and mobile application drafted and agreed with the Project management. (by 20 October 2021)

The requested reports must be prepared in Armenian and English.

The payment will be released in one installment upon acceptance by the UNDP Climate Change Program Coordinator and NAP Project Manager.

Competencies

• Solid understanding of development projects’ visibility issues in a contemporary virtual environment, proven experience resolving such issues or contributing profoundly to their proper formulation and resolution;
• Excellent communication skills, especially for abstract concepts in a multi-professional team setting;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer Science, Programming or other relevant field; A relevant technical education in combination with qualifying experience in the subject area may be accepted in lieu of university degree. Evidence of continuing education, such as certifications, is an asset;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in web designing, web-site programming or other relevant field, including at least 3 years with digital technology application/extension projects;
• Demonstrated experience in the development of a comparable concept document of website and mobile application
• A portfolio of accomplished web projects: at least 2 websites and 2 mobile applications of a similar scope developed personally or on a leading role in a team;
• Relevant experience with UN or other international organization is an asset;

Languages

• Knowledge of Armenia and English; knowledge of Russian is an asset.

CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications, experience and financial proposal.The contract will be awarded to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR and received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

• Financial Proposal and Availability form: OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP (A total lump sum  option is applicable for this assignment)
• CV shall include Education/Qualification, Processional Certification, Employment Records /Experience

General Conditions of Contract is available here: GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents that should be included in the application in one single PDF file and upload it).