CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Issued on: 12 July 2012 ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: UN-Habitat DUTY STATION: Home based FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Consultant: Programming of an online training management tool DURATION: 1 August 2012 – 31 December 2012 (50 days of work within this time frame) CLOSING DATE: 22 July 2012
BACKGROUND Capacity development of local authorities is a key to sustainable urban development and in order to reach out to local authorities UN-Habitat frequently collaborates with training institutions in developing countries. Despite all having the “capacity to build capacity” training institutions are not a homogenous group, they can be very different in institutional setup, how they work and what resources they have. Training is a common form of capacity development. It is not the answer to all capacity issues but when training is an appropriate approach the design of the training programme is crucial to its effectiveness. According to good practice training the process should include training needs assessment, training design, delivery (including follow-up activities), and evaluation of the training. However, most training programmes end with the training event and no further evaluation is carried out. Consequently the training provider does not know whether the participants have learnt anything or if the knowledge and skills are used when they are back at the workplace. Lack of follow-up is also common, and when the participants do not get any support in applying what they have learnt the likelihood of the training having a positive impact is drastically reduced. The Capacity Development Unit of UN-Habitat is currently engaged in a project on strengthening training institutions. As part of this project the unit has developed a concept of an online training management tool – aiming to support training institutions in providing effective training programmes, including all the crucial steps of the training process. The format will be a highly interactive website, building on the theory of the UN-Habitat practice note on effective training in combination with functions supporting implementation of theory. As a next step a beta version of the tool will be developed and this consultancy is for the development of the technical platform of the tool. Functions of the Training Management Tool To enable adaptation of the tool the specific institutional needs the institutes have to register to access some of the functions. When registered they can create and manage training projects, and since the tool is connected to the internet all involved parties can stay updated on the progress of the project and access related material, no matter if they are working in the same office or not. A central function of the tool is a project checklist with all the sub steps that should be included when creating an effective training programme. The steps are sorted by the main phases of the training process and each sub step is linked to theory and functions relevant to the specific step. Another function is project folders where documents and other project related material can be uploaded and shared both with colleagues internally and with external parties, such as clients or training participants. The training management tool can also be used to invite, select and communicate with training participants. An adaptable online application form is linked to a database where the participants are automatically listed after applying. By using the tool to manage training projects the institutes can keep record of their ongoing and past projects, and build on previous experiences in their new projects. See Annex A for specifications and visualizations of the tool and its functions.
RESPONSIBILITIES The consultancy is for the development of the technical platform of the tool and its interface, which includes the following activities: a) Review the requirements, functions and structure of the tool. Discuss implementation with the UN-Habitat focal point and create a time plan. b) Develop new or implement existing back end solution which allows UN-Habitat to: - Add and edit texts and images on start page, “About” page, “Concept & tools” page, and their sub pages. Create new sub pages. Add and edit text and images on “My page” and its sub pages. - Edit steps of checklist (create the list that the users can choose from). - Decide when statistics pages will be visible to everyone. - Approve registrations of new institutes. - View general usage statistics (most visited pages, total number of users etc.) c) Develop start page, “Concepts & tools” page, “About” page, “FAQ” page and their sub pages, and if necessary assist in uploading material on the pages. Develop user registration system and administration of user groups. d) Develop “My page” and its sub pages. Develop project pages and related functions. e) Develop statistics pages and user database (for all users to access) and internal statistics page (only accessible to users within the same institute/user group). f) Test the tool and fix bugs. g) Write technical documentation and user manuals. One manual for UN-Habitat, to support administration of the tool, and one manual for the end-users. h) Adapt the tool according to feedback from end-users after about two months of pilot testing of the tool (10 days of work).
COMPETENCIES • Flexibility: If required, incorporate new functions or adapt existing functions to new requirements while taking implications on time plan and overall development into consideration. • Teamwork: Work closely with the Training Management Tool focal point to jointly design solutions reflecting the users’ needs. • Technological awareness: Excellent knowledge of new technology in the field, as well as awareness of technological limitations in developing countries, and ability to utilize that to optimize the platform and database. • Communication: Effectively communicating with technically knowledgeable staff or users, as well as staff or users with little experience of databases and web tools. • Creativity: Ability to find new solutions for interface and functions to meet the users’ needs.
EDUCATION University degree in computing and software development, computer science or closely related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE A minimum of five years experience in application development, database design and web development using PHP, .NET, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL or other relational database. At least three years of experience in development of multi-tier information systems.
LANGUAGE SKILLS Fluency in spoken and written English.
REMUNERATION Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as follows: » 30 per cent of the total is payable upon completion of output a, b, and c. » 60 per cent is payable upon completion of output d, e, f, and g. » 10 per cent is payable upon completion of output h.
ITEM ACTIVITY OUTPUT a Review requirements, functions and structure of the tool. Discuss implementation with the UN-Habitat focal point and create time plan. Time plan created. b Develop new or use existing back end solution which allows UN-Habitat to: - Add and edit texts and images on start page, “About” page, “Concept & tools” page, and their sub pages. Create new sub pages. Add and edit text and images on “My page” and its sub pages. - Edit steps of checklist (create the list that the users can choose from). - Decide when statistics pages will be visible to everyone. - Approve registrations of new institutes. - View general usage statistics (most visited pages, total number of users etc.) Back end solutions developed c Develop start page, “Concepts & tools” page, “About” page, “FAQ” page and their sub pages, and assist in uploading material on the pages. Develop user registration system and administration of user groups. Pages (start, concept & tools, about, FAQ, and sub pages) and registration and administration system developed. d Develop “My page” and its sub pages. Develop project pages and related functions. “My page”, sub pages and project pages developed. e Develop statistics pages and user database (for all users to access) and internal statistics page (only accessible to users within the same institute/user group). Statistics pages (open and internal) and user database developed. f Test the tool and fix bugs. Fully functional tool developed. g Write technical documentation and user manuals. One manual for UN-Habitat, to support administration of the tool, and one manual for the end-users. Technical documentation and user manuals (for UN-Habitat and end-users) finalized. h Adapt the tool according to feedback from end-users after about two months of pilot testing of the tool (10 days of work). Tool adapted.
Applications should include: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information: 1. Educational Background (incl. dates) 2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) 3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.) 4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments 5. Expectations regarding remuneration • Examples of at least two previous website development projects
All applications should be submitted to: Ms. Cynthia Radert UN-Habitat P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: cynthia.radert@unhabitat.org
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 22 July 2012
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
Applications should include: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information: 1. Educational Background (incl. dates) 2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) 3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.) 4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments 5. Expectations regarding remuneration • Examples of at least two previous website development projects
All applications should be submitted to: Ms. Cynthia Radert UN-Habitat P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: cynthia.radert@unhabitat.org
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 22 July 2012
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
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