Information Technology (IT) Expert (Consultant) At Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

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

A. About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

ADPC is an autonomous intergovernmental organization with a vision to reduce disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific by working with governments, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, private sector, media, and other key stakeholders.

Established in 1986 as a technical capacity building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. With over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC has six strategic themes supported by seven departments: ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC also works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees.

ADPC Strategy 2020 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change and regional cooperation.

For details please refer to ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/

B. 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.**

C. 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.

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

D. 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 essential.

● Certificate in Microsoft (MCSE/CISCO/CCNA); basic knowledge on security aspect in digital world is desirable.

E. 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.**

F. 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 functioning and operation of information and communication network systems of the center. The IT consultant is required to provide technical specifications of computer hardware and software for specific applications and supervise the installation.

G. 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 technical needs of the center. The consultant will be responsible for the implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of IT systems and redress the problems that end users might face.

Specific tasks include:

● Capable of performing, without close supervision or guidance, the installation, configuration, and maintenance/troubleshooting of workstations, printers, MS Office applications, and servers, as well as making basic Active Directory changes such as adding, modifying, or deleting user and computer accounts.

● Installs, configure, and maintain a Microsoft Active Directory network and all ancillary hardware and communications software within both LAN and WAN.

● Create complex network diagrams, documents changes to the network infrastructure, and plans and performs upgrades to core infrastructure components.

● Maintain an inventory of the hardware and software systems in use.

● Act as a technical resource by helping users resolve problems with equipment and data; provides tier one helpdesk support for users of public safety applications.

● Provide preventative maintenance for a variety of hardware systems, and keep software systems updated to the latest version or patch level.

● 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.

● Facilitate identified pool of master trainers in hand holding and capacity enhancement on digital platform.

● Performs any other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

H. 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 provide preventive measures and provide hardware and communications software within both LAN and WAN.

I. 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.

J. Contract Duration: August 2021 – June 2022