Consultant Project Manager for ICT Reform

UNICEF, Information Technology Solutions and Services (ITSS) Terms of Reference Consultant Project Manager for ICT Reform

Background:

UNICEF’s ICT Strategic Plan identifies several areas where leveraging information and communication technology is essential to achieving the desired results. It also cites the need for excellence in management and operations to effectively engage with and support external partners, help achieve UNICEF’s organizational targets, and make effective contributions to the United Nations System wide strategic plans.

The Division of Information Technology Solutions and Services (ITSS) has a policy setting and direction responsibility for UNICEF’s overall global ICT Function. It is entrusted with establishing and improving an adequate and sustainable ICT environment across UNICEF worldwide.

Context:

Considering upcoming and predictable changes in the operating environment and technological opportunities, in 2011/2012 ITSS pursed an analysis about the right realignment and readjustment of the mix of IT workforce competencies that would equip the organisation for the next 5-10 years. It subsequently derived, refined and validated change streams for pursuing the many aspects of such a major workforce transformation.

As part of the 2013 organizational efficiency and effectiveness (E&E) initiative, ITSS participated in the data collection, analysis and formulation of an ICT Reform proposal. This is tightly coupled with the elements of the IT Workforce transformation and focuses on the alignment of ICT services and system with the Organization’s Strategic objectives, and future directions with UNICEF 3.0 & 4.0.

ITSS has committed to explore relocation of 30-100% of its central ICT function from New York, Geneva, and Copenhagen to one or two offshore sites. This is contingent on favorable conditions and value propositions in addition to efficiency and effectiveness gains.

Current Situation:

An aspirational ICT Function Vision document is being developed to support discussions around the future state of ICT in UNICEF. Once finalized, it will be descriptive of the end state of the ICT transformation in UNICEF.

Further, Two Business Cases are under development for the two options: first moving almost 100% of IT staffs from headquarters to outside locations, second relocating at a minimum 30% of IT personnel from HQs.

The two business cases will be presented to UNICEF Global Management Team in mid-February for decision on moving forward.

Consultancy Objective:

UNICEF is seeking a qualified Senior Project Manager with proven expertise and experience to support the ICT Reform initiative.

The Senior Project Manager will have the overall responsibility for building robust business cases that clearly demonstrate risk adjusted return on investment (ROI) and show tangible benefits to the organization as well as better alignment to the overall strategic goals of the organisation.

The Senior Project Manager is expected to work closely with UNICEF IT Senior Management as well as several IT Advisory Service Provider companies to build quantitative and defensible business cases in order to secure buy-in and funding.

The Project Manager is expected to work with the foundational versions of the business case and the Vision for change.

Scope of Work:

1. Engage with the business to understand the key issues. This includes studying the goals and objectives of the organisation to draw out the key issues and challenges being faced by stakeholders. The new ICT programs’ objectives are expected to be aligned with these higher level organisational goals and challenges in terms of opportunities for improvement to set the program up for success.
2. Calculate the benefits and complete the business cases comprising of: a) Develop quantitative and qualitative indicators to inform the stakeholders of the value and the benefits of the program. In order to determine potential benefits, take measurements of the “as-is” business process and estimated “to-be” business processes. b) A capex/opex budget to capture costs. c) Identified risks and constraints and required actions that may affect the implementation of the changes d) Drive the process for business cases finalization. e) Ensure that the business cases are reviewed and vetted with all stakeholders. f) Collaborate with other service providers to validate the business cases.
3. Design the Regional ICT Workshop planned for Q1 2014 to determine how the regional and country offices will be impacted by the change process and to define the future Global ICT Structure.
4. Propose Global ICT Structure, operating methods and redefined roles and responsibilities across Field and HQs locations.
5. Lead and guide discussions in plenary and working groups.
6. Develop a 3 year implementation plan and budget following the Global Workshop.
7. Develop a 3 year change management plan/transition plan to move to the new Global Structure, including internal/external communications, and manager/employee transition support.
8. Provide ongoing advice and assistance to ICT Director.

NB Additional deliverables may be added to this scope of work depending on outcomes of the Global Management Meeting. A contract amendment will be initiated for any additional deliverables

Expected Deliverables: The consultant/s is expected to deliver the following tangible and measurable outputs in relation to the above TOR.

1. Finalised business cases.
2. Presentation materials for Steering Committee/Directorate level communication.
3. Detailed work plan, agenda, design and methodology for the cross-Regions ICT Workshop.
4. Implementation plan/Transition Plan.
5. Change Management Plan, timelines, resource requirements.
6. Communication plan including the preparation of key message “change message”.

Consultant/s responsibilities:

• The consultant(s) is expected to work off the UNICEF premises with frequent visits and/or remote contact with UNICEF for meetings, reporting, etc. • Resources: The consultant has the overall responsibility for the project and completing the tasks detailed above. • Progress reports are expected weekly. • An inception report detailing the plan of work of the consultant is required after one week.

UNICEF Responsibilities: UNICEF shall have no obligation to provide any assistance to the consultant in performing the services other than as expressly set forth herein: • Provide information and feedback, especially on key ICT goals and initiatives, and current UNICEF ICT resources, in a timely manner and as long as consultant’s requests for information and feedback are also made to UNICEF within reasonable time. • Provide the selected consultant/s with reasonable and timely access to UNICEF personnel as may be required to perform the services. • For on-site work, provide physical access to the necessary work area and any required identification badges and pass codes before work commences. • A single point of contact responsible for representing UNICEF in status meetings and assisting with the decision making process regarding the engagement.

Supervision:
The consultant will report to Director, ITSS.

Timeframe of Engagement: The estimated duration of the project is 4 months starting on 2 January 2014 through 30 April 2014.

Minimum Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

1. Education and Experience a. Advanced university degree in the computer sciences, strategic management, business administration; professional certification(s).

b. A minimum of fifteen years mixed experience in senior positions in a large global organization related to:

i. the ICT function

ii. the private, public and not-for-profit sectors

iii. in global, decentralized and multicultural organizations.

c. Previous consultancy expertise and skills in Change Management relating to ICT, including relocation, offshoring, outsourcing, re-structuring and re-organization – conducted for several customers. 1. Interview of potential consultants by an interview panel to further assess the qualifications. Acknowledgement will only be sent to short-listed consultant/s.

1. Short-listed consultant/s would be required to provide:

a. A list of three (3) related projects undertaken within the last five (5) years, similar in nature to UNICEF’s, including a brief description of the project, achievements, objectives, deliverables, data analysis, findings and recommendations made. One of these projects should demonstrate experience working for global/decentralized/not for profit organizations.

b. Three recent references from similar projects.

Consultancy Fees:

Please indicate your proposed daily/hourly rate. Please note that rates must be all-inclusive rates including but not limited to salary, insurance, allowance, overhead, travel to UNICEF New York Headquarters, lodging, miscellaneous costs etc.

Travel Expenses:

If deemed necessary to travel, the travel costs will be reimbursed in accordance with UN Travel Rules and Regulations (lowest fare and UN DSA rates).

The resulting contract will depend on the legal status of the selected individual (i.e. whether the applicant is an individual contractor or a resource from a corporation). UNICEF will apply different terms and conditions to each category of contract. These terms and conditions are non-negotiable. Applicants interested in this short term consultancy should review the terms and conditions relevant to them and confirm their acceptance without reservations to be considered for selection.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their application along with a cover letter and C.V. toisspost@unicef.org no later than 27 December 2013. In your response, please state your proposed daily/hourly rate. Please note that rates must be all-inclusive rates including but not limited to salary, insurance, allowance, overhead, travel to UNICEF New York Headquarters, lodging, miscellaneous costs, etc.

U. S. citizens and all those authorized to work in the U.S. are encouraged to apply.

We are unable to sponsor for the H1 Visa right now.