ARIAS SOCIETY

Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services Society (An Autonomous Body under Govt. of Assam) Project Management Unit (PMU) of the World Bank financed Assam Citizen-Centric Service Delivery Project (ACCSDP) Agriculture complex, Khanapara, G.S. Road, Guwahati-781022 (Assam, India) Tel: +91 361-2332125; Fax: +91 361-2332564; website: www.arias.in; email - spd@arias.in

Draft Indicative Terms of Reference (ToR) for Junior ICT Infrastructure Specialist (JICTIS) Background and Objective of the Project:

1. The Govt. of Assam has created the Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society in November 1998, as an autonomous body, headed by the Chief Secretary, Assam as its President (Project Guidance Council) and the Agriculture Production Commissioner, Assam as the Chairman (Governing Body). The Project Management Unit (PCU) is headed by a State Project Director. The key mandate of the Society is to function as an apex autonomous body of the Govt. of Assam for monitoring, coordination and/or implementation of World Bank or any other externally financed/aided Projects or other Projects of any department as may be authorized by Govt. of Assam from time to time.

2. The Society has successfully completed two World Bank aided projects (ARIASP: 1995-2004 and AACP: 2005-2011 including AACP-AF: 2012-2015) and the World Bank has rated performance of these projects as Satisfactory. The Society contributed in mainstreaming many of the good practices that emerged from the projects into various schemes of the State Government. ARIAS Society has proved to be a path finder and innovator in the areas of targeting the intended beneficiaries, employment generation, reaching out to the vulnerable and the disabled and overall good governance and social accountability.

3. The Government of Assam (GoA) is committed to improve governance in the state and public sector performance. It has already embarked upon a number of specific initiatives to support this objective. They include: the Right to Public Service Act (RTPS), RTI, a public grievance redress system, e-District, Common Service Centers, and establishment of State e-Governance infrastructure.

4. Affordable access to public services, especially for the poor people, is one of the key imperatives for inclusive growth. The Government of Assam (GoA) is committed to improve governance in the state and public sector performance and has recognized the need to strengthen the delivery of citizen-centric service, and had therefore enacted the Assam Right to Public Services Act, 2012 (ARTPS) to ensure citizens access to public services in timely, efficient and accountable manner. The Act enables the citizens of Assam to get notified public services within a stipulated timeframe and also fixes responsibilities on public servants to provide these services in a time-bound manner. GoA has also embarked upon a number of specific initiatives to support this objective, a public grievance redress system, e-District, Common Service Centers, and establishment of State e-Governance infrastructure.

5. To strengthen and deepen these initiatives, GoA has received a $39.20 million loan from the World Bank financed towards the Assam Citizen-Centric Service Delivery Project (ACCSDP) *Project ID: P150308, IBRD Loan No. 8754-IN]. The ACCSDP aims to improve citizen access to targeted services under the ARTPS, particularly in remote areas. Citizens, especially the rural communities who are heavily dependent on government services, will be the principal beneficiary group of the project. The project will place citizens at the center of the service delivery process by strengthening feedback mechanisms and grievance redress.

6. ACCSDP will facilitate implementation of the ARTPS Act with efficiency and accountability for better delivery of citizen-centric services under ARTPS Act and will support the line Deptts. A high-level delivery unit will be established to monitor the implementation of the ARTPS Act. A blend of technological interventions and administrative reforms for 18 key services will be taken-up initially under the project in four Govt. agencies, viz. Transport, Revenue & Disaster Management, and Welfare of Plain tribes & Backward Classes (WPT&BC Deptts). and the Guwahati Municipal Corporation. The project will assist implementing line departments/agencies in restructuring business processes so that citizens can access services digitally within the given timeline of ARTPS Act.

7. The Project Development Objective is to improve access in the delivery of selected public services in Assam. ACCSDP also aims to strengthen institutional operations and improve citizen awareness and participation in order

to expand access to services to benefit the rural poor. This inclusive approach will contribute to access improvements in four key ways: (i) by expanding the number of Right to Public Services Act (RTPS) services which are digitized and available on-line; (ii) by improving connectivity infrastructure especially in underserved areas to enhance citizen access to services; (iii) by engaging local populations in service delivery (through both participatory and digital approaches) so that targeted priority services for the rural communities are accessible; and (iv) by rationalizing and strengthening service delivery by front-line institutions. This project design is pivoted around four interrelated components: (i) strengthening RTPS implementation; (ii) improving service delivery processes in targeted departments; (iii) setting up Public Facilitation Centers (PFCs) to receive requests for RTPS services and electronically deliver select services to the citizens closer to their homes; and (iv) promoting citizen engagement.

8. These key components of the project namely digitization of services, ICT infrastructure, citizen engagement, front-line delivery institutions, and change management would be managed through the Project Management Unit (PMU) under the ARIAS Society, led by a State Project Director (SPD) and would have inter alia the following staff/consultants:

Business Process Re-engineering and IT Specialist

ICT Infrastructure Specialist

Social Development and Communication Specialist

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Specialist

Citizen engagement and Change management

Procurement & Contract Management Specialist

Financial Management Specialist

PMU Support Staff

9. The PMU of the ACCSDP is seeking an interested and qualified professional for the position of Junior ICT Infrastructure Specialist hereinafter referred as JICTIS to coordinate activities related to leveraging and where necessary improving information and communication technology infrastructure to improve public service delivery.

Job Summary, Key Tasks and Responsibilities

10. The Junior ICT Infrastructure Specialist (JICTIS) will report to the senior ICT Infrastructure Specialist (ICTIS) under the overall command of the State Project Director, ARIAS Society to provide support towards the objective the ACCSDP for improved citizen access to the selected services notified under RTPS Act, as well as those services not yet notified by the GoA but are considered of significant importance. The JICTIS would

a) Support the senior ICTIS in infrastructure related assessment, planning, procurement and budgeting;

b) Coordinate with the non-consultancy service provider agency to be hired under the project for ensuring reliable network connectivity to the identified Public Facilitation Centers (PFC) and backend of the line departments of the project including the PMU of ARIAS society and monitor the performance of the service provider as per the provisions of the contract agreement and report to the senior ICTIS and the SPD;

c) Support the senior ICTIS on issues related to ICT and IT connectivity/ telecommunication infrastructure needed to support ACCSDPs objectives including

i) current status and need assessment of the state ICT infrastructure related to PFCs and line Departments/Agencies of ACCSDP, State data Center, SWAN, including horizontal and vertical connectivity, telecom infrastructure; future models and transition steps to the optimal level

ii) Ways to secure horizontal connectivity required for back-end processing of targeted departments/agencies of ACCSDP to support digitization of targeted RTPS services/other electronic services

iii) Approaches to improve connectivity and access to RTPS service in those parts of the State that face unique connectivity issues

iv) Critical inputs required to ensure high-quality and reliable ICT infrastructure operability to support effectiveness of the overall service delivery solution

v) Appropriate solution to achieve optimal performance and scalability

vi) Develop a core ICT Infrastructure Team in the line departments/agencies to ensure that it is able to meet the requirements of ACCSDP in implementation of the Infrastructure component

d) Develop the technical specifications for procurement of the ICT Hardware for PFCs and line Departments/Agencies of ACCSDP in consultation with the stakeholder departments/agencies and the World Bank and assist in the procurement unit in the PMU in the procurement process to select the vendor(s) and monitor the performance of selected vendor(s) as per the provisions of the related contract agreement(s).

e) Develop detailed TORs for services/consultancies related to procurement of ICT equipment and connectivity; assist the procurement unit of the PMU in vendor/consultant selection process; and manage and monitor the performance of the selected agencies/consultants as per the provisions of the related contract agreement(s).

f) Work closely with the participating government departments/agencies of ACCSDP, and other specialists hired for ACCSDP and Senior Management of ACCSDP to ensure effectiveness of design and implementation of the ICT infrastructure related solutions for the project. In consultation with senior ICTIS, he/she will ensure alignment of infrastructure solutions with ACCSDP objectives; quality and timeliness in delivery of goods and services procured; and necessary upkeep and continual updating of systems set-up.

g) Monitor progress of infrastructure related activities through well-defined indicators embedded in the monitoring framework under the overall principle of results based management

h) Provide necessary decision support to senior ICTIS and senior management

i) Any other responsibilities as and when assigned by the SPD, ARIAS society.

11. The JICTIS will have to attend PMU, ARIAS Society on all working days from 10 AM to 5 PM unless he is on official tour as approved by SPD. He/she may also be required to attend office on holidays as and when so desired by SPD for disposal of urgent matters. However, no separate remuneration will be paid for attending office on holidays.

12. Duration of Assignment

a) The contract period with JICTIS is intended for entire duration of the project and coterminous with the project period of ACCSDP. However, continuity of the JICTIS beyond one (1) year from the date of signing the agreement will depend upon his performance. The decision of the SPD will be final and binding in this regard.

b) The contract with JICTIS may be terminated by either side at any point of time during the contractual period by serving a 30 days notice without assigning any reason and without thereby incurring any liability to the Govt. of Assam/ PMU/ ARIAS Society. The assignment is purely contractual in nature and will not, under any circumstance, be extended beyond the ACCSDPs closing date. The ARIAS Society or the Government of Assam will not undertake any responsibility for subsequent deployment of the consultant.

c) The JICTIS shall not assign or sub-contract, in whole or in part, his obligations to perform under this Contract, except with the SPDs prior written consent. The JICTIS will have to serve the ARIAS Society on full time basis under overall command of State Project Director, ARIAS Society and provide services from the PMU at Khanapara, Guwahati. The resignation/termination shall be as per HR Policy of the ARIAS Society.

d) The JICTIS will be required to undertake field-visits and tours as per the project requirements, with prior approval of the SPD.

13. Essential Qualifications & Experience

a) Post Graduate in Electronics/Computer Science/IT/Information Systems/ ICT Infrastructure or related subject from any recognized university. Atleast 5 years of experience in managing ICT infrastructure in public/reputed private sector agency(ies) at managerial position.

However, Graduates (BE/B.Tech etc.) in Electronics/Computer Science with specialization in Information Technology/ ICT infrastructure or related subject and with experience of over 7 years in managing ICT infrastructure in public agencies at managerial/ leadership position may also be considered, but at a reduced CTP;

b) Demonstrated knowledge and experience in managing ICT Infrastructure and Connectivity overhauling initiatives in any public sector projects

c) Proficiency in computer applications including network monitoring software, internet based applications, MS Word, MS Excel and MS Power Point etc.

d) Experience in ICT based citizen-centric development projects will be preferred; experience in managing ICT infrastructure related aspects of large state or national level e-governance projects will be a definite advantage

e) Initiative and the ability to work independently as well as team;

f) Good communication and report writing skills in English language

g) Good command over English language, written and spoken;

14. Age: The candidate shall not be of more than 45 years of age as on 1st August2017. However, in case of exceptionally talented candidate having wide relevant experience this requirement may be relaxed.

15. Remuneration and payment terms:

a) Depending on the qualifications, experience, competency, and also the remuneration/ CTC of the last assignment, the consolidated fixed annual Cost to project (CTP) of the JICTIS will be determined and mutually agreed with the successful candidate, which would be in the range between Rs.6.60 lakh to Rs.10.80 lakh per year. The agreed annual CTP shall be inclusive of remuneration, performance-linked-incentive, communication allowance, health/service related allowance, all taxes, cost of accommodation and food at Guwahati, conveyance to attend the PMU, etc.

b) The remuneration will be given in equal monthly installments and the performance-linked-incentive will be given on quarterly basis based on the performance and achievement against the mutually agreed deliverables by the JICTIS. Taxes as applicable shall be dealt with as per applicable laws. The remuneration may be enhanced on an Annual Basis, based on the HR Policy of the ARIAS Society.

c) Travelling, Boarding, Lodging and Food expenses for approved official tours outside Guwahati will be reimbursed as per the HR Policy of ARIAS Society and as provided in the contract agreement. For travel outside the State, the Travelling and Boarding & Lodging expenses will be reimbursed as per the HR Policy of the ARIAS Society and as provided in the contract agreement.

16. Travel Requirements: The JICTIS may be required to undertake field-visits as per the project requirements, with prior approval of the SPD and the travel costs will be reimbursed as per the HR Policy of the ARIAS Society

17. Reporting and Performance Review: The JICTIS will report to the senior ICT Infrastructure Specialist (ICTIS) under the overall command of the State Project Director, ARIAS Society. The quality of service and performance of the JICTIS will be reviewed by the SPD as per the HR Policy of the ARIAS Society

18. Facilities to be provided by the PMU: The PMU, ARIAS Society

a. Will be given access to all documents, reports, correspondence, contacts available and any other information as deemed necessary for smooth accomplishments of tasks assigned.

b. Will be provided with one office cubicle in the PMU along with computer, printer, computer/office consumables, and internet access.

c. Will pay the fixed monthly remuneration as per the contract agreement. No house rent allowance or any other allowance shall be paid by the PMU. No other payment whatsoever (except reimbursement of travelling expenses and project allowance) shall be paid, except as agreed with the JICTIS and by the SPD, ARIAS Society.

d. Will not be provided with any clerical assistance.

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