Consultant_Information System Management Expert

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Amman

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-JAN-2022

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duty Station:                  Amman/Jordan.

Duration of contract:      01 Feb - 31 Aug 2022

Availability from February 2022 to August 2022 at the duty station is required and should be confirmed as part of the submission.

The expert will be under the overall authority from the Head of the UNESCO Jordan Office, and overall supervision of the Head of Education, and the direct supervision of the Project Officer.

1              BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES AND JUSTIFICATION

UNESCO Jordan is currently providing technical support to the Ministry of Education (MoE) of Jordan to strengthen evidence-based, strategic, and crisis-sensitive planning, monitoring, policymaking, and coordination at the MoE. This includes strengthening MoE’s capacity for data collection, utilization, and analysis through the enhancements of the MoE’s Education Management Information System (EMIS), and its Geographic Information Systems Resource platform (WebGIS).

EMIS

In 2016, the Government of Jordan officially adopted OpenEMIS[1] as their platform for data collection, management, and use, and it was launched at the beginning of the 2016/2017 academic year. By the end of 2017, OpenEMIS was fully customized as per Phase I of MoE requirements. The following year, a comprehensive EMIS assessment was carried-out with the support of UNESCO using the SABER-EMIS assessment methodology[2]. The outcomes of the independent assessment detailed a requirements analysis on further system development, and capacity development needs for OpenEMIS in Jordan. This led to the development of a detailed EMIS roadmap focusing on the next steps needed to strengthen EMIS, and address challenges in OpenEMIS operationalization.

Building on the EMIS roadmap, an EMIS scoping exercise was conducted by the MoE to define the overall scope of the existing requirements of the MoE in terms of OpenEMIS software development, and capacity building needs, and rationalize the needs in terms of feasibility, priority, and delivery times for Phase II of the EMIS development. The results of the comprehensive requirements analysis were consolidated in a clear workplan that captured the needed enhancements to current functions, as well as the development of new features based on MoE needs and priorities. As a result, MoE developed and endorsed their EMIS Operational Plan (2020-2023) Phase II, which followed the recommendations of the EMIS roadmap, and the results of the 2020 scoping exercise. The plan was recently updated to reflect emerging needs and priorities of the MoE, notably considering Covid-19, and endorsed once again by H.E. the Minister of Education in August 2021.

Currently, UNESCO is supporting the MoE in the implementation of their EMIS Operational Plan, as well as the strengthening of the enabling environment of EMIS (including Policy framework, governance, resource allocation) through the System Strengthening Partnership (SSP) with Jordan’s Ministry of Education (MoE) programme, which is being implemented through a four-year (2019-2023) Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) with the generous funding of Canada, the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation (Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo /AICS), and Switzerland. In-kind support is also being provided by Norway through the deployment of several experts to UNESCO, and the MoE.

Long Description

WebGIS

The WebGIS tool was developed at the request of the MoE in 2015-2016 and was introduced to the Educational Planning & Research Department for better school mapping and planning. The tool was customized as per their requirements, and training was provided to build the capacity of the MoE on the usage of the tool. 

In 2018-2019, through the GIZ funded project in support of WebGIS, entitled “Technical assistance for the EMIS System and WebGIS tool for the School Maintenance System, Standards and Procedures”, UNESCO provided further technical support to the GIS unit to enhance and update the tool to address emerging needs on school mapping and planning, while helping the Ministry to establish an evidence-based approach for school maintenance work being handled by the MoE. 

Building upon UNESCO’s past WebGIS achievements and ongoing partnership with MoE and GIZ, UNESCO is continuing its technical support to the MoE with the integration of the Smart School Maintenance Workflow into the MoE’s Educational Management Systems (WebGIS & OpenEMIS). This second phase of WebGIS implementation in Jordan is being implemented under the “Technical Assistance for the Ministry of Education’s WebGIS School Maintenance System” project with GIZ (2021-2022)

Based on the above, the integration of the school maintenance workflow is being done using a capacity development approach aimed at strengthening the education system, where the capture of electronic and automated data, workflows, monitoring, and reporting, will facilitate the MoE’s systematic, structured and evidence-based decision making related to preventative and corrective school maintenance.

Long Description

2.        PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

In view of the above context, UNESCO is seeking to engage an Education Information Management Systems Expert to support the coordination, implementation, and capacity development of UNESCO’s technical assistance to the MoE EMIS and WebGIS systems.

3.        DUTIES/TASKS AND EXPECTED OUTPUT:

The Education Information Management Systems Expert will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities in support of:

1) Coordination:

1. Provide technical support to the reactivation of the MoE’s EMIS Technical Committee that is responsible for overseeing, guiding, and advising on the administration and management of OpenEMIS in Jordan, linking to technical support for the operationalization of the MoE EMIS policy.

2. Take part in the relevant coordination meetings on School Maintenance, including the MoE-led working group to provide technical input.

Long Description

2) Policy Advice: 

1. Provide technical support to the MoE to ensure the usage of the Smart School Maintenance Tool at all administrative levels (central level, field directorate level, and schools)

2. Provide technical support in the endorsement and operationalization of the EMIS policy to fully institutionalize EMIS functioning within MoE.

3. Provide technical assistance in developing a sustainable maintenance strategy, including a Disaster Recovery Plan, as per the EMIS Policy.

3) Technical assistance and capacity development to MoE:

1. Conduct refresher master training programmes on using the enhanced WebGIS Smart School Maintenance module, including identifying the refresher master training requirements, designing the refresher master training programme, providing training to master trainers.

2. Provide technical backstopping and guidance to the MoE to roll-out the WebGIS Smart School Maintenance Module to MoE field directorates and schools, including preparing the Kingdom-wide roll-out and cascade trainings plans, preparing training material needed for cascade training, provide support to the MoE to monitor the cascading training programme, and collect feedback from the MoE on the rolled-out system. 

3. Assist the MoE in their design, content, planning, organization, and delivery of capacity development activities, resources, and tools, including, but not limited to, training and rolling out the new features of EMIS to the relevant MoE units at central and decentralized levels, in line with the MoE EMIS Operational Plan Phase II.

4) Technical support to UNESCO Amman Office

1. Support the planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of activities implemented in support of the MoE EMIS Operational Plan, monitoring challenges and risks and mapping mitigation strategies to address them in a timely manner.
2. Undertake field missions in support of both EMIS and WebGIS activity implementation.

     c. Facilitate organization of consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders and departments either within or outside ministry of education, including with implementing partners.

      d. Take part in UNESCO team meetings to share the latest developments related to WebGIS and OpenEMIS.

     e. Provide technical backstopping to the Head of the Education Unit, Project Officer, Project Associate, and other education experts within the team, including assisting with other tasks that may be required to ensure successful implementation of the system strengthening partnership programme with the Ministry of Education, with particular focus on the EMIS component of UNESCO support to the MoE, and the Phase II of the WebGIS.

4.        TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES

Monthly technical reports are to be submitted to UNESCO Jordan Office, including progress of technical support, results, challenges, and lessons learnt. An updated monthly workplan should also be included (for each following month). The final technical report will also include a final summary of the assignment, as well as recommendations for next steps.

The detailed timetable and deliverables based on the scope of work outlined above will be as follows:

D1      First technical report (including progress, results, challenges, lessons learnt and updated monthly workplan)      February 28, 2022

D2      Second technical report (including progress, results, challenges, lessons learnt and updated monthly workplan)      March 31, 2022

D3      Third technical report (including progress, results, challenges, lessons learnt and updated monthly workplan)      April 30, 2022

D4      Fourth technical report (including progress, results, challenges, lessons learnt and updated monthly workplan)      May 31, 2022

D5      Fifth technical report (including progress, results, challenges, lessons learnt and updated monthly workplan)      June 30, 2022

D6      Sixth technical report (including progress, results, challenges, lessons learnt and updated monthly workplan)      July 31, 2022

D7      Seventh and final technical report (including final summary of assignment, status of all activities, results, challenges, lessons learnt and recommendations for next steps)   August 31, 2022

The language of submitted reports/materials for the assignment is English. 

The technical expert is required to successfully complete UNESCO’s security awareness training [UNDSS online BSAFE course]. The certificate must be attached to the draft Individual Consultant contract and shared with the UNESCO Amman Office Human Resources Unit with a copy of the signed contract.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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5.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced University degree (Master or equivalent) in computer information science, software/computer engineering, information technology, data science or data management, or related fields. 

Years of relevant work experience

Over 10 years of relevant experience in the field of Education Management information Systems (EMIS), Geographical Information Systems Software, Spatial Data Analysis, and/or use of GIS for Geospatial data management.  

Competencies and Skills

•   Strong planning and analytical skills including the ability to support and build capacity of national authorities in implementing and utilizing EMIS and/or WebGIS tools. 
•    Strong commitment and proven ability to improve education systems through knowledge transfer, effective collaboration, and a strong capacity development approach. 
•    Ability to work as a team and in close collaboration with national authorities and/or Ministry of Education staff, and other education stakeholders.
•    Excellent coordination, organization, and prioritization skills, and the ability to manage multiple competing tasks.
•    Proven good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to lead consultation, and capacity development sessions, and draft high-quality reports.
•    Demonstrated ability to work effectively in complex operations within a multi-cultural environment.

Desired Qualifications
•    Minimum 2 years working in the field of education at the international level is an asset.
•    Previous experience working on school mapping, use of GIS for spatial planning of education infrastructure projects is an asset. 
•    Previous experience in the field of education, with a focus on educational planning and policy, education statistics, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, and/or Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) is an asset 
•    Previous experience coordinating IT systems implementation, preferably in relation to the education sector, is an asset. 
•    Previous experience working in Jordan is an asset. 
•    Previous experience working within the UN system including familiarity with its administrative and procurement systems and processes is an asset.
•    Proficiency in spoken and written Arabic is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information in English.

* Upon completing the Word file with all the below requested information , upload the file at the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application form. Only applications with the below requested information will be considered.

I. A statement indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.

II. A Technical Written proposal (3 Pages Maximum) consisting of:

• A description of your proposed approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment.

• A work plan with detailed milestones and key deliverables/activities as per the terms of reference.

• Comments on the Terms of Reference, if any (in brief);

• CV.

• The amount to be charged for the assignment following the below price schedule:

          A lump sum amount to be charged for the assignment (excluding travel), which should be quoted in US Dollar. Please indicate your proposed Monthly rate (without travel cost)

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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