Back Local Consultant _ Digital Transformation Project Support, Vientiane, Laos

Local Consultant _ Digital Transformation Project Support (Lao nationality only)

Location : Vientiane, LAO PDR

Application Deadline : 29-Mar-21

(Midnight New York, USA)

Additional Category : Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : National Consultant

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

01-Apr-2021

Duration of Initial Contract : 13 months

Expected Duration of Assignment : April 2021 - June 2022

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Due to COVID-19, governments around the globe face challenges to ensure the health, safety and security of their citizens. Lao PDR is not immune and during the lockdown in March 2020, most public officials worked remotely with few ICT resources. Government-to-citizen, government-to-business, government-to-government, government-to-employees and administration processes were significantly reduced. The lockdown unambiguously laid bare Lao PDR's digital deficiencies. Governments around the world are now re-opening their economies, offices and operations. Many are adapting to the new normal and are accelerating digital solutions to support not only business continuity but enhance overall functions of the government with improved service delivery. To date, the government of Lao PDR has embarked on a strategy to accelerate digital transformation focusing on key priorities, such as infrastructure readiness, the development of supporting technology, nurturing digital talent and literacy, and improving regulations on the digital ecosystem. UNDP and The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT) of Lao PDR have entered into a partnership to strengthen and support Lao PDR's digital transformation acceleration agenda. Under this partnership, MPT and UNDP will conduct a comprehensive digital maturity assessment to facilitate the formulation and implementation of the government's digital transformation strategies. To this extent, UNDP seeks a national consultant to support international ICT experts and the MPT with a national Digital Maturity Assessment. The local consultant will integrate with the international team and facilitate logistical, administrative, and technical aspects of the assessment. After the recommendations from the assessment are obtained, the drafting of the Digital Master Plan and Framework will be commenced and the consultant is also expected to be engaged with the preparation and the supporting drafting process. After that, existing e-services in Laos will be selected and piloted based on the draft of the new framework.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant, under the supervision of the UNDP Project Manager, and in consultation with MPT Officials, is required to provide the following services:

• In coordination with UNDP and MPT, ensure that digital maturity assessment activities are well coordinated with relevant Government Officials and all other stakeholders;
• Organize and facilitate as necessary any meetings, workshops, and other similar activity;
• Ensure professional administrative and logistics support is given;
• Coordinate and support the international experts in the process of drafting the digital Master Plan and Framework
• Assist the international experts in the process of selecting and piloting of the e-services (as needed);
• Assisting the international experts in reviewing relevant policies, strategy papers, decrees/laws, program documents and budgetary documents shared by Government and secondary data source.
• Translation of the research materials as necessary;
• Network and foster functional relationships with government officials, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, and other key stakeholders;
• Promote a strong collaborative, transparent, and sharing environment amongst stakeholders during the assessment;
• Consolidate, analyze, and translate data as required;
• Research topics of request as needed;
• Prepare documentation, reference materials, lessons learned, and studies as required.

TRAVELS

• Provincial travels to for data collection and validation in 3-4 provinces during the Digital Maturity Assessment, Master Plan drafting and Standard Framework drafting.

Competencies

• Excellent verbal and writing skills (Lao/English).
• Ability to present coherent and convincing positions both in writing and orally.
• Strong ability to take initiative to move complex processes forward to achieve articulated results,
• Work at varying levels and on different initiatives simultaneously (personal organization and ability for multi-tasking).
• Demonstrable networking capability, interpersonal skills and strong ability to promote teamwork.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct;
• Flexible to changing working conditions and willing and able to travel for work purposes;
• Able to prioritize and meet deadlines;
• Excellent skills in solving, conflict resolution, advocacy,

Deliverables

Approval

Deliverable

• - Provision of professional support to the international experts and MPT - Monthly Report on the progress and the plan for next steps

30 Aug 2021

UNDP in close consultation with MPT

Deliverable

• - Provision of professional support to the international experts and MPT - Monthly Report on the progress and the plan for next steps

30 Jan 2022

UNDP in close consultation with MPT

Deliverable

• - Provision of professional support to the international experts and MPT - Monthly Report on the progress and the plan for next steps

30 June 2022

UNDP in close consultation with MPT

Required Skills and Experience

• A Master's degree preferably from a reputable accredited university in E-governance, Computer Science, ICT, Public Policy, Social Science and/or relevant field is required;
• At least 5 years of experience working as a professional in the E-governance, policy formulation and research is preferred;
• Direct experience working on digital transformation solutions and planning recommended;
• Experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and community leaders;
• Past experience with research and analyzing of data a plus;

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualification:

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex III
• Personal CV or P11 Form, indicating all experience from similar projects as well as personal information including age.
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided, as per template provided in Annex III

OFFEROR'S LETTER

Price proposal could be quoted in

LAK or US Dollar.

Incomplete proposals may not be considered.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY

Instructions for on-line submissions

Step 1: Please prepare all required documents electronically;

Step 2: Combine all documents in

ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF, but Word format can be also accepted) and upload it to the UNDP Jobs links

Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully.

Relevant Documents for Individual Contract

IC contract template & IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II

Female candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit our website under the link below

https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROPRIETARY INTERESTS: The Individual Consultant shall not either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any proprietary or confidential information related to the consultancy service without prior written consent. Proprietary interests on all materials and documents prepared by the consultants under the assignment shall become and remain properties of UNDP.

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