Planning, Programming, Monitoring and Reporting System Architecture Expert
JOB DETAIL
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Management/Audit/Oversight
Type of contract : External Consultant Contract
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 31-JUL-2023
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Introduction
Within the framework of its strategic transformation, UNESCO has embarked into a process of gradual renew of digital tools and information systems with the view to: a) streamline core work processes for speed, efficiencies and results; b) enable data and knowledge management harmonization and standardization; and c) strengthen accountability at all levels of the Organization.
As part of this process, the first version of a new Data Core Portal and a new resource planning tool, Core Planner, have been launched in 2022. The next milestone in the process concerns the development of Core Manager as a next generation integrated system for planning, programming, monitoring and reporting, able to ensure aggregation of programmatic and budget/financial data among programmatic levels. The development of Core Manager started at the beginning of 2023 as a gradual roll out enterprise, with the development of the Core Manager 1.0 version. Scaled up versions of this initial platform will be developed until 2025 through the addition of key enhanced functionalities.
Long Description
Purpose
The Core Manager is expected to provide best available, user-friendly, integrated functionalities to allow for comprehensive corporate planning, programming, monitoring and reporting. It will provide key features and functionalities to capture data from a broad range of diverse and interlinked datasets and ensure technical facilities for combined analytics, monitoring and reporting purposes.
As part of this multi-phase process, UNESCO has already conducted a series of internal consultations for needs analysis and is elaborating a functional document for Core Manager 1.0. Next stages of the process involve: a) finalizing and deploying the Core Manager 1.0 in November 2023; b) undertaking an assessment of Core Manager 1.0 through a users feedback survey; c) preparing the business and functional requirements for the content and structure of the completed version of Core Manager [referred to below as ‘Core Manager’].
In this regard, UNESCO is seeking the expertise of a Consultant to support the Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP) in the accomplishment of the above actions. The Consultant will use the findings from the internal consultation process and the survey feedback, and will benefit from knowledge and exchanges with BSP team, other relevant units of UNESCO’s Secretariat and other UN system organizations.
Long Description
Scope of Work
The Consultant will take stock of the results of the internal consultation process for needs assessment and will conduct a series of additional consultations in order to get a comprehensive overview of the needs for the improvement of corporate planning, programming, monitoring and reporting. As a result of these consultations, the Consultant will identify and formulate the Organization’s business requirements and will support relevant units to translate and frame these business needs into functional requirements with the aim of deploying a revamped architecture of UNESCO’s Core Manager system.
Expected Tasks
A. Comprehensive needs assessments and mapping of UN best practices:
- review the evidence and take stock of the inputs provided by UNESCO Secretariat regarding the planning, programming, monitoring and reporting needs and requirements, as well as of the documentation available regarding the functionalities of Core Manager 1.0;
- conduct a series of additional consultations with different parts of UNESCO Secretariat to identify business needs towards a more sophisticated Core Manager architecture, ensuring aggregation of data among programmatic levels and providing new functionalities (e.g. defining a set of performance indicators per UNESCO function; mechanisms to facilitate data entry and extraction; innovative dashboards; streamlined workflows);
- undertake a mapping of similar systems in the UN family, in particular specialized agencies, and identify synergies and harmonization with the UN system, taking into account also UN Info reporting requirements/plans; to this end liaise also with UNDP staff, as proposed by UNESCO.
B. Feedback from Core Manager 1.0 deployment
- prepare a survey to get users feedback following the deployment of Core Manager 1.0;
- collect users feedback and draw conclusions;
C. Business requirements for Core Manager
- prepare a section-by-section document outline that maps the structure and content of business requirements for Core Manager and which reflects the agreed conceptual approach and objectives of Core Manager;
- translate the different needs identified in the evidence review and consultations into business requirements including updates of already existing functionalities in Core Manager 1.0 and new functionalities required;
- reflect the feedback and suggestions received from the Core Manager 1.0 users;
- make revisions of multiple draft versions to incorporate feedback from UNESCO Secretariat and other stakeholders in order to produce a final version of the Business requirements.
Long Description
D. Functional requirements for Core Manager (support)
- translate and frame the business needs into draft functional requirements for Core Manager, as an iterative process between the Bureau of Strategic Planning, the Bureau of Financial Management and the Bureau for Digital Business Solutions.
Deliverables:
- An initial draft document outline mapping the proposed updated architecture for planning, programming, monitoring and reporting (from Core Manager 1.0 to Core Manager).
- An user survey and summary of responses.
- A revised document outline of the agreed functionalities for Core Manager, integrating feedback received.
- A full fledged business requirements document for Core Manager.
- Outline functional requirements document.
All deliverables will be submitted in English.
Timeframe: The consultancy is foreseen to begin in September 2023.
Reporting and Management
The consultant contract will be managed by the Section of Planning, Monitoring and Reporting in the Bureau of Strategic Planning. As needed, the consultant will liaise, with other relevant units and services, including the Bureau for Digital Business Solutions and the Bureau for Financial Management.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree in Business Management and/or Information Systems or a related discipline.
Experience
The consultant is expected to have the following qualifications and skills:
- Advanced knowledge and expertise in Programme and budget planning, monitoring and reporting, as applied in international organizations, including Results-Based Management and budgeting.
- Advanced knowledge and expertise of IT systems for programme and budget planning, reporting and monitoring systems (including inter alia Salesforce and SAP);
- Excellent skills in analysis of broad and diverse data and information, and synthesis of inputs;
- Experience of working with UN organizations and understanding of the nature of UN functioning, policies and processes will be an asset.
- Knowledge of UNESCO’s mandate is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize and work with feedback from a range of reviewers would also be an asset.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge of English is a requirement. Good knowledge of French is desirable.
APPLICATION PROCESS/PROCEDURE
Interested candidates should complete the on-line application and upload in place of the Employment History Form, the following documents as a single PDF document:
Part 1. Technical proposal:
- up-to-date curriculum vitae(s);
- a statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment;
- a recent sample of similar assignments;
Part 2: Financial Proposal:
A competitive fee for the overall cost of the assignment (lump-sum) which should be quoted in USD
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
