Information Technology (IT) Expert (Consultant)

This consultant position is open for Indian Nationals only. The position is based in Patna, Bihar State of India.

About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), established in 1986, is a non-profit, autonomous, regional organization, international in status and non-political in management, staffing, and operations. ADPC has been created for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes that work to build the resilience of people and institutions to disasters and climate change impacts in Asia and the Pacific region.

ADPC has more than 34 years of working experience in Asia along with the national and local Governments of its founding charter member countries as well as countries of the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Disaster Management. ADPC works to strengthen disaster risk reduction at all levels, from regional to national, sub-national, and even to community levels. ADPC aims at supporting governments, strengthen institutions, and build capacity for mainstreaming DRR into development processes. It includes developing institutional systems, assessing disaster risks, undertaking programs for disaster risk reduction and adapting to climate change, etc. Further details on ADPC and its programs can be found at www.adpc.net.

Background

ADPC is currently implementing two programs, namely “Program for Strengthening Preparedness for Emergency Response and Recovery in India (PROSPER-India) and “COVID-19: PROSPER-India Program Support to Bihar Government (INCOV)” in Bihar, India with financial support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

PROSPER-India is a three-year program focusing on providing technical support to the Government of Bihar in the implementation of DRR activities identified in the Bihar DRR Roadmap (2015-2030). The India COVID-19 Grant is being implemented from June 2020 – December 2021 to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response functions of the Government of Bihar (GoB) for COVID-19. These efforts are primarily targeted at the Disaster Management Department (DMD) and Department of Health (DoH) of Government of Bihar for strengthening Emergency Operations Centers for Response, Risk Communication, and Awareness-raising and enhanced Knowledge Management for COVID preparedness.**

Statement of Intent

The Department of Disaster Management (DMD) has signed an MoU with the Development Management Institute (DMI), Patna to establish a ‘Center of Excellence in Disaster Management (CoEDM)’ at DMI. This Center will function as an academic project unit of DMI with its own dedicated human resources team and infrastructure support with focus on disaster management studies through training, research, education and consulting activities.

The services of an IT Expert (Consultant) are required to work with ADPC team in Bihar and the CoEDM at DMI, to assist the center in managing the day to day IT infrastructure requirement. The consultant is expected to provide technical speciation of computer software and hardware for specific applications, supervise the installation, and ensure the smooth operation of communication and information network systems. The consultant will be based at CoEDM, DMI on duty.

Qualifications and Experience

• Graduation/ Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Application with minimum three years working experience in the similar field.
• Excellent computer skills in operating the website, software, digital platform, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Excellent skills of data analysis, report generation, and interpretation in terms of action particularly related to online platforms or learning courses is required.
• Proven working experience in disaster management and capacity enhancement, understanding of Disaster Communication and Early Warning Systems, shape files are preferrable.
• Certificate in Microsoft (MCSE/CISCO/CCNA); basic knowledge on security aspect in digital world is desirable.

Personal Qualities

• A good sense of information/data quality and excellence of work;
• Self-motivated, pro-active and takes initiatives;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, and organize work & time independently;
• Verbal and written communication skills in English, knowledge, and the ability to speak in Hindi are essential.
• Excellent interpersonal and public relations skills; ability to work with a team and coordinate with diverse partners in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Strong desires to learn, undertake new challenges including working during COVID-19 outbreak, must be a creative problem-solver, and must have self-confidence;
• Willingness to work hard, good sense of humor but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.**

Purpose of the assignment

The primary purpose of the assignment is to work closely with CoEDM, DMI and ADPC Bihar team and to ensure the smooth development and functioning of the digital learning systems of the center. The IT consultant is required to provide the holistic support and facilitation in launch of the digital learning systems of the Centre.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of respective Managers/ Technical Specialists at ADPC and CoEDM, DMI, the consultant shall be working closely with staffs/officials deployed at CoEDM, DMI on information technology needs of the center. The consultant will be responsible for the implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of digital learning systems and redress the problems that end users might face.

Specific tasks include:

• Capable of performing, without close supervision or guidance, the design, development, launch and maintenance of digital learning systems.
• Comprehend and suggest a information technology solution to address the issues, problems that arise while doing research and capacity building work of the Centre.
• Act as a technical resource by helping users resolve problems with the digital learning system.
• Ensure troubleshooting and maintenance of software systems and timely updating of the software systems of the Centre and coordinate for the same with all the stakeholders as it may be required.
• Work closely with DRR experts and technology providers to perform system upgrades and/or solve complex technical issues.
• Extend support in studies and research work by monitoring of timely data/information entry at source and keep checks on data quality.
• Resolve technical issues or breakdown either by self-technical assistance or with the help of concerned authority.
• Hand holding and capacity enhancement of CoEDM, DMI staff on digital platform.
• Facilitate in hand holding the identified pool of master trainers fort their capacity enhancement on digital platform.
• Maintain inventory use at CoEDM, DMI for digital learning platform.
• Performs any other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Key deliverables

• Work in design, development, installation, configuration and troubleshooting of digital platform and dashboard for online training programs.
• Support the CoEDM team in launch and conduct of training on digital platform.
• Handholding of the participants of various training programs and other related officers in accessing and going through the contents on the digital platform to overcome the technical glitches.
• Maintenance of equipment and ensure preventive measures

Reporting Relationship

In performing the duties and responsibilities indicated above, the consultant will be supervised by the assigned respective Managers/Technical Specialists at ADPC and CoEDM, DMI. The consultant will work closely with CoEDM, team at DMI, Patna and report to the Coordinator, CoEDM and ADPC Bihar office.

Contract Duration

September 2021 – June 2022

Key Deliverables and Timeline

The consultant is expected to commence the work from September 2021 to June 2022.

How to apply

Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC consultancy application form, (downloadable from www.adpc.net or ADPC Website), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter, to adpcjobs@adpc.net within 15 September 2021, Bangkok time.

Women are especially encouraged to apply.

ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment.