Consultancy: Independent project management services for the Parline database

Background

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the world's organization of parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU’s membership comprises approximately nearly all of the world's national parliaments.

IPU’s Parline database on national parliaments data.ipu.org was redeveloped recently, with the current version launched in September 2018. At the time many changes were made, including moving to the Drupal platform, revising the scope of the database contents and overhauling the public user interface. Meanwhile, the IPU web site www.ipu.org was rebuilt in 2017 and further linkages between the web site and Parline were established in September 2019.

A new Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued for a supplier to develop additional features for Parline.

A separate contract for troubleshooting and adjustments to some of the existing features will be given at the same time. 

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide project management services to the IPU during the implementation of these contracts. The consultant will assist the IPU in defining its requirements appropriately, and will interact with the supplier on the IPU’s behalf to ensure that the contract is delivered within the agreed parameters.

The troubleshooting and adjustments to existing features should be completed by end December 2019.

The project timeline for the development work is:

• Supplier chosen by 8 November 2019.
• Discovery: to end of November 2019
• Development and testing: December 2019 to February 2020
• Target date for completion: 15 March 2020

Parline is officially in "beta" phase. The development of the additional features described in this RFP will complete the initial development and bring an end to the beta phase.

Organizational setting and reporting relationships

The consultant will work directly with the team that oversees the Parline database within the IPU (the “Parline team”). The Parline team comprises a Programme Manager, a Database Manager and a Data Officer. Key project decisions will be taken by the Programme Manager.

The consultant will also interact with the wider group of IPU stakeholders (the “stakeholders”) from teams working on gender, youth, human rights, etc.

The working language will be English.

Accountabilities

Within delegated authority, the consultant will carry out the following tasks:

1. Help the IPU to formulate its requirements at the appropriate level of detail, through discussion with the Parline team and the IPU stakeholders
2. Provide project management services throughout the contract, including:
   a. Participate in the “discovery” phase of the contract
   b. Work with the supplier to ensure that requirements are correctly understood and captured in the project management software
   c. Define the work packages and the timeline for their delivery
   d. Participate in sprint planning and review
   e. Participate in testing of work packages delivered by the supplier
   f. Help the Parline team to identify priorities during the implementation of the contract
3. Provide regular feedback to the Parline team. Identify potential problems, escalate them appropriately and take appropriate remedial action
4. Ensure that the supplier meets all contractual obligations

Deliverables

1. Agreed work packages are delivered by the supplier on time and to suitable quality standards
2. Regular progress reports to the Parline team

Duration and location

The consultancy is estimated to be around 225 hours of work (equivalent to 30 days of work on the basis of 7 hours 30 minutes per day). Actual figures may vary.

The consultancy will begin at the time of the selection of the supplier and will end when the supplier’s deliverables have been validated by the IPU. It is expected that the work will begin in November 2019 and end in March 2020.

The consultant will work remotely. At least one visit to Geneva will be organized during the start-up phase of the contract.

It is expected that the workload will vary over the duration of the contract. For example, the consultant may work the equivalent 2-3 days per week during the start-up phase in November 2019, then the equivalent of 1-2 days per week during the implementation phase.

The consultant will organize their work time based on the needs of the project and in agreement with the Programme Manager. Work should be done during the regular office hours in Geneva (09.30 – 16.30).

The consultant will invoice the IPU on a monthly basis for the number of hours worked.

Requirements

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Advanced project management skills
• Advanced Drupal expertise
• Successful experience in independent project management; remote working; flexible working arrangements; timely delivery of projects
• Ability to communicate effectively in English
• An interest in parliaments and political systems is desirable

Employment conditions

The Consulant is an independent contractor, is not considered to be an official or employee of the IPU and is not subject to the IPU Staff Regulations and Staff Rules. The Consultant is not entitled to recover from the IPU any income tax payable or social security payments in respect of the fee provided under this contract and shall be solely responsible for the payment of any national income tax and social security payments due in respect of the emoluments payable under this contract. The External Collaborator will not be included in the IPU pension scheme.

Recruitment principles

Our guiding principle in selecting candidates is to secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. We do not discriminate on any grounds and are committed to promoting diversity in our workforce.

Particular attention is paid to candidates from developing countries and to achieving gender balance. We strive to provide an environment where the contribution of each individual is valued.

All our employees are expected to possess the following qualities:

• Motivation and a strong commitment to our principles
• Ability to work well in a multicultural team
• High level of technical knowledge relevant to the post
• Work experience at national and/or international level
• Fluency in at least one of our official languages (English, French) and a working knowledge of a second language. Additional languages are an asset

We ask all our staff to agree to our Code of conduct for personnel and our Fraud and corruption prevention policy.