Under the overall direction and guidance of the UNDP Institutions and Partnerships Programme Team Leader and day-to-day supervision of the CoRe Fw4A Project Manager, and working closely with the DICT-UNDP CoRe FW4A Technical Working Group, the Individual Consultant shall perform the following:
Perform a comprehensive technical assessment and provide technical recommendations/options that would ensure relevant, efficient, and effective free public Wi-fi for all set-up based on the identified needs of the sites per project Output including but not limited to the following considerations:
Stability and reliability of broadband wireless access in the areas considering expansion centers
Stable (always-on) power supply in the areas
Adequate infrastructure facility / passable roads
Accessible and reachable location (by foot)
Minimum number of concurrent users per access point
Identify appropriate bandwidth requirement per Output based on user needs
Account for differences in internet access to strengthen, if not ensure, gender equality
Develop and design site selection criteria and matrix designating the appropriate free public Wi-Fi ICT infrastructure and technology options.
Conduct ocular site inspections and assessments in the HEIs, LGUs, health facilities, and other sub-national offices to determine the e-readiness and risks of beneficiaries, as needed. Inputs to develop a standard monitoring and evaluation tool for all ICT contracts in close coordination with DICT FW4A PMO with existing processes and tools.
Identify, analyze, and propose actions to leverage emerging issues and new opportunities in the field of information and communication technologies that have a potential impact on the strategies and implementation of free public internet access.
Provide technical advisory services and technical assistance to the CoRe FW4A PMO under the supervision of the CoRe FW4A Project Manager/Officer-in-Charge including but not limited to review of the Digital Hunger platform, gender equality, needs assessment data gathering tool/s, longitudinal survey questionnaire and sampling design, and identifying training needs of DICT and LGU staff.
Lead the Technical Evaluation team in the review and evaluation of bid proposals for free public Wi-Fi in HEIs and RHUs, and with various emergency communications equipment to provide technical advice and inputs during planning, review, bid technical and financial evaluation, bid meetings, bid clarifications and contract award.
Prepare and submit the Final Technical and Financial Evaluation Report upon the completion of the bid evaluation process including bids’ technical compliance to requirements, an assessment of the soundness of the financial proposals and value for money analysis (versus cost estimates, market prices, and other financial offers) of recommended bid. Ensure availability of Internet connectivity with reasonable internet bandwidth, identify reasonable minimum downtime, and reliable fallback facility.
Ensure proposed IT hardware and software used by bidders, including licenses are of acceptable international standards.
Identify plans for expansion and scalability of free Wi-Fi technology options including inputs on proposals for future phases of implementation through the development of Terms of Reference for the contracting firm/IC that will design the sustainability plan for the larger DICT FW4A program. The sustainability plan would suggest DICT for its long-term connectivity goals and provide strategies to continue the FW4A program which will include the learnings from the different modes of the project’s free Wi-FI implementation. The possibility of DICT and/or other government and social institutions and recipients of the project's outputs managing the continuity of services should also be an option.
Attend relevant project meetings and collaborate with stakeholders to a more informed and represented deliverables.
Upon review of bid proposals, ensure that these are compliant with requirements of RA 10929 particularly on prohibition to access pornographic websites and ensure mechanisms are in place for the online protection of children consistent with the existing laws on the rights and protection of the welfare of children.
Provide advice and support on capacity development and training activities.
Recommend corrective measures to ensure goals and objectives are met.
Required Skills and Experience:
Qualifications of Successful Consultant and Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
The Offers received will be evaluated using a combined scoring method - where the technical proposal will be weighted 70 points and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30 points.
The CV will be reviewed using the criteria in the table below. Only offerors who will obtain a minimum of 70% or 49 out of 70 obtainable points will be shortlisted and considered for evaluation of financial proposal.
Please make sure your CV indicates compliance with EACH of the following minimum criteria.
Qualifications:
Education:
Master’s degree in Information Technology/Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Electronics and Communications Engineering/Technology Management or related course.
Certifications in Professional ICT training are advantageous.
Experience:
Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience as a technical consultant with responsibility for designing, delivering, and managing the design and deployment of ICT equipment and connectivity services. Previous working experience in a similar position in the government, UN agencies or international organizations would be an advantage
At least five (5) years of work experience in technology and innovation-related project implementation including ICT for development, connectivity infrastructure integration or management, emergency communications, digital governance, digital solutions.
Identifying and deploying connectivity in remote areas or in emergency communications context, using fiber, radio, TVWS, VSAT, and other connectivity technologies.
Drafting of technical specifications in the proposals (specializing in the connectivity infrastructure and management, ICT equipment and services, digital governance), and substantive inputs in reviewing bids submitted during the bid evaluation and assisting in expediting the evaluation process.
Language:
Excellent command in written and spoken English based on written sample works on connectivity and digital transformation, digital divide, ICT for development, site and technical assessments or prioritization, connectivity policy brief, technical recommendations, proposal or report.
