Information Technology (IT) Expert

Background

Albania, an EU candidate country, is undertaking comprehensive reforms in many sectors, building relevant institutions and strengthening the rule of law. Such reforms respond to country priorities, regional initiatives and the compliance with EU directives and requirements as Albania aspires to adhere to the EU in the near future.

 

As part of such active engagement, Albania is also part of the Western Balkan initiative to abide by and implement a joint Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition.

 

The purpose of the Roadmap is to serve as a guiding and consensual document developed and owned by the countries in achieving a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW/firearms, and its ammunition, in the Western Balkans. The Roadmap envisages a comprehensive approach to SALW control from updating and harmonization of the legal frameworks, improved regional cooperation and information exchange, enhanced interoperability of intelligence-led investigations, due public awareness on the dangers of weapons, gender mainstreaming in SALW control to strengthened physical security and safety of weapons storages.

 

In Albania, as in the broader Western Balkans area, there is still a huge work ahead to establish and consolidate an appropriate SALW control framework, harmonize legislation and practices and reach compliance with EU directives and international best practices

 

To address these challenges, on 6 February 2019, Albania approved its new National Strategy on Small Arms, Light Weapons and Explosives Control 2019-2024 and the related Action Plan 2019-2021. The Strategy is fully referenced to the Roadmap and mirrors its performance indicators within the national context. The Action Plan has a full set of concrete actions and capacity building measures to be implemented along until 2024.

 

In the framework of and in line with the above national strategic framework, UNDP Albania, in collaboration with the Government of Albania and with support from regional funding channelled through UNDP SEESAC regional office, has developed the project “Strengthening control, administration and social attitudes towards SALW”.

 

The project responds to some of the immediate needs expressed by the Albanian counterparts related to enhancing the capacities of the Albanian State Police with regard to SALW Control. In this respect, the project intends, among others, to support the advancement and eventual completion of firearms re-registration process and support the development of digitalized system and the production of firearms owners’ digital cards.

For the implementation of the above-mentioned activity, UNDP Albania requires the services of an Information Technology (IT) Expert to provide support for upgrading the national arms register and for the development of a digitalized system and the production of firearms owners’ digital cards.

Duties and Responsibilities

The IT expert will work under the overall supervision of the relevant UNDP Programme Officer, under the direct supervision of the SALW2 Project Manager, and in close coordination with the focal points of the beneficiary, Albanian State Police. The IT expert shall exercise all reasonable care for taking all the required actions for timely and quality delivery and ensuring that all tasks are carried out in accordance with the project expectations and to the satisfaction of UNDP.

 

The following are the key duties which the IT Expert is required to carry out as part of the assignment:

 

2.1 On the activity related to the Firearms Registration:

 

• Review the current features of the national arms register (SIMA)
• Develop, in collaboration with the Albanian State Police Support Service, additional SIMA modules to enhance the overall system efficiency and interoperability.

 

Note 1 - indicative SIMA modules to be added include the following:

• Register module  - improving statistics and numerical analysis
• Third-party module  - improving the set of firearms ownership data
• Management module - improved unification of weapons codes with those of the European Union
• Border module - collect data on weapons crossing the borders
• Warehouse module  - full weapon passport, etc.

 

Note 2 -  the required upgrade of the weapons registration system

The upgrade calls for creating an application that will be integrated with the other systems of the Albanian State Police. This task will include the following subtasks:

• Develop user interfaces in Angular 11+ or Primefaces technologies, compatible with the technology in use by the Albanian State Police.
• Create the necessary queries in Oracle with high performance and security
• Install Linux operating system on the server
• Install SSL, Docker, Kubernetes in the State Police systems
• Limit the range of IPs that will access the system

 

2.2 On the activity related to Digital Cards for Firearm Owners:

 

• Review the draft project developed by the General Directorate of the Albanian State Police
• Develop, collaboration with the General Directorate of the Albanian State Police, the final list of required IT equipment and items and the respective technical specifications
• Provide support and advice to UNDP Country Office in conducting and finalizing the procurement process for the above IT hardware and items
• Monitor and ensure quality assurance during the implementation of the digital cards production

 

3. Deliverables

The IT Expert is expected to deliver the below outputs during the assignment. The deliverables below are grouped in accordance with the two main tasks to be implemented and numbered sequentially, but in a timeline presented further in the section Schedule of Payment, these tasks will often occur in parallel and at different times, therefore, following another sequence. 

On SIMA upgrade

1. A feasibility report and workplan on SIMA upgrade, including the approach, the key tasks to be carried out and the expected completion date for each task and future deliverable. The work plan should be submitted to UNDP within 10 days from the start of the assignment.

2. Development of applications / new modules in SIMA

3. Technical documentation on added modules and applications to SIMA

4. Preparation of a user manual at the end of the process as well as field training of system users in all structures of the State Police (indicatively 12 trainings).

5. Actual SIMA training in regional police units

6. Acceptance from the ASP on the satisfactory completion of the task of SIMA upgrade

 

On Digital Cards production

7. A feasibility report and workplan on Digital Cards production, including the approach, the key tasks to be carried out and the expected completion date for each task and future deliverable. The work plan should be submitted to UNDP within 30 days from the start of the assignment.

8. Technical specification for IT equipment for Digital Cards production

9. Evaluation of offers received for IT equipment for Digital Cards production

10. Full installation and functionality of the Digital Cards production line

11. Monitoring the functionality of the Digital Cards production line

12. Final report on implementation of the Digital Cards production

Competencies

Core Values

• Demonstrating/safeguarding UN core values on accountability, integrity, transparency, mutual respect, professionalism, and results orientation
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
• Displays cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability

 

Core competencies

• Able to identify priorities and plan/organize efficiently in line with agreed approach/framework
• Self-initiative and responsibility in carrying out tasks
• Ability to act as a team player and facilitate teamwork in a multicultural environment
• Ability to manage competing demands and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication skills (written, spoken, composing, presentation)

 

Functional Competencies

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks, including design, planning and implementation of projects or tasks as well as managing data and reporting
• Ability to evaluate development technical programs and projects
• Result oriented and ability to define problem areas, brainstorm solutions based on evidence, consultations and sound analysis
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines
• Proficient with current computer applications.

Required Skills and Experience

Education/Academic Qualification:

• Advanced university degree in Information Technology or any other relevant discipline.

Working experience

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in IT
• Relevant work experience in a top position in the implementations of at least one large-scale network system.
• Experience in drafting, design, management, implementation and integration of information systems and infrastructure.
• Familiarity with Linux Operating Systems
• Familiarity with Oracle/Java/DevOps information systems       
• Familiarity with latest technologies, systems and network clouds servers and infrastructure.
• Working experience with the Albanian State Police in the IT field and especially familiarity with the SIMA system will be an advantage.

 

Important note: The selected candidate will need to undergo a verification process and obtain a security clearance by the General Directorate of State Police as the tasks involved are highly sensitive and confidential

5 - Payment Schedule

Instalments	Estimated level of effort	Total workdays	Due date	% of contract value
Instalment 1
1. Feasibility report and workplan on SIMA upgrade	10	25	15-Dec-21	16%
7. Feasibility report and workplan on Digital Cards production	10
8. Technical specification for IT equipment for Digital Cards production	5
Instalment 2
2. Development of applications / new modules in SIMA	40	40	28-Feb-22	26%
Instalment 3
3. Technical documentation on added modules and applications to SIMA	5	35	30-May-22	23%
4. Preparation of a user manual and training modules for SIMA (indicatively 12 trainings).	5
5. Actual SIMA training in regional police units	20
9.2 Evaluation of offers received for IT equipment for Digital Cards production	5
Instalment 4
6. Acceptance by ASP of SIMA upgrade	5	35	30-July-22	23%
10. Full installation and functionality of the Digital Cards production line	30
Instalment 5
11. Monitoring the functionality of the Digital Cards production line	15	20	25-Nov-22	13%
12. Final report on implementation of the Digital Cards production	5

 

7. Evaluation of applicants

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above. UNDP applies the ‘Best value for money’ approach - the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Individual consultant will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

 

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max points: 70

Criteria   A: Compliant educational background– max points: 15

Criteria   B: Professional experience in the required area - max points: 25

Criteria   C : Familiarity with information systems and large-scale IT project on software development: 30

 

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max points: 30

 

Application Procedure 

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study all sections of this ToRs and ensure that they meet the general requirements as well as specific qualifications described. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. 

The application should contain: 

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability & Detailed Financial Proposal - please fill in the attached form. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser)

• Financial Proposal in ALL*- Specify a Total Lump Sum in Albanian Lek for the tasks specified in this announcement. The attached template may be used - Download Here (kindly use Firefox browser) Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall consider various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period (e.g. fee and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services). 

• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport. 
• Technical proposal – specifying the methodology which the consultant will employ to conduct this assignment.

*Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application. 

How to Submit the Application: 

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below: 

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs); In the P11 Form make sure to include Email Addresses of the Persons who are willing to provide References on your past experience in working with them.
• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded; 
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement); 
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;” 
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above); 

• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system. 

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process. 

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.