Position: Consultant Information Communication Technology (ICT) Specialist
Location: Philippines/Remote
Reports To: Country Director
Level of Effort: 60 days from October 2021-April 2022
Start Date: October 2021
ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is a non-profit program that implements legal reform programs in roughly 40 countries around the world. ABA ROLI has nearly 400 professional staff working internationally engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders and partners including judges, lawyers, bar associations, law schools, court administrators, legislatures, ministries of justice and a wide array of civil society organizations.
The mission of the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative is to promote justice, economic opportunity and human dignity through the rule of law.
1.0 Background
The Access to Justice and Support for the Rule of Law in the Philippines (“ACCESS”) program, funded by USAID and implemented by PROGRESS with the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) leading the effort, is advancing the overall goal of bolstering rule of law and enhancing access to justice in the Philippines.
The ACCESS program implements activities under four objectives: 1. Direct support to local civil society for public awareness raising and legal services provision; 2. increased awareness of citizens’ rights and access to legal aid services, advice, and representation; 3. Strengthen alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms within and outside the court system; and 4. Leverage USAID-supported initiatives to support the efficient and fair administration of justice.
Under the above objectives of ACCESS and in furtherance of implementing its various activities, ABA ROLI is partnered with, inter-alia, civil society organizations (CSO), the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
2.0 Terms of Reference
ABA ROLI is looking to recruit an ICT Consultant to support its home office operations in addition to providing technical support to the Management and Program Teams in the implementation of various ICT initiatives, including: -
Working in close coordination with ABA ROLI’s Program Team, provide technical advice and support to ABA ROLI and its partner organizations and institutions within the legal sector of the Philippines regarding ICT related program initiatives. Including, remote court hearing initiatives utilizing video conferencing equipment; the identification and/or design and development of a legal aid platform to connect indigent clients to pro bono lawyers and provide technical support in the redesign of a mobile application.
Specific Terms of Reference
3.1 ABA ROLI
In close coordination with ABA ROLI’s Operations Team, provide technical support to ensure the alignment of field office IT practices, equipment and data management with home office standards.
Provide technical support to ABA ROLI Philippines staff regarding ICT hardware and software, as required.
In close coordination with the ABA Home Office (HO) in Washington DC, identify the weaknesses or gaps in the field office IT system vis a vis the HO IT security standards and implement these recommendations.
Through staff training, maximize use of existing and proposed IT systems and tools securely and responsibly, including Microsoft Office 365.
Review current document management gaps vis a vis the standard HO document management practices and provide guidance to staff in the implementation of proposed solutions.
Provide technical support as needed during online events of the ACCESS Project.
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)
Prepare and submit a detailed work plan with clear deliverables and activities.
Conduct a desk review of the available records, data, strategies, work plans, studies and other documents, which may provide guidance on professional needs, gaps and challenges.
Regularly meet with IBP counterparts
Provide a clear and achievable ICT strategy for the IBP (a 5-year strategy is envisioned).
Present /share findings of the consultations, interviews and desk review with the ABA ROLI, and IBP.
Provide training and support to focal points within the institutions to manage and maintain the platforms once established.
Provide a costing of hardware and software requirements in phases in line with the Strategic ICT plans.
Provide training plans to ensure personnel are capacitated to achieve short, medium and long-term goals of the Strategic plans; and
Any other related task requested by IBP and ABA ROLI.
3.2.1 Legal Aid Platform and Mobile Application
Identify options for an appropriate online legal aid platform that can be seamlessly integrated with IBP’s existing ICT innovations and capacity and work in harmony to enable the IBP to deliver efficient, effective and timely digital legal aid services.
Determine the feasibility of updating and adapting the Find Justice App to respond to the needs of IBP and its target audience. Investigate and support Integrate the selected application into the legal aid platform, pilot test and roll this out the public.
Information Technology (IT) and Videoconferencing
Assess the current state of videoconferencing capabilities of five IBP chapters to support pro bono legal aid program.
Determine videoconferencing equipment (VCE) requirements complete with technical specifications of five strategically located IBP chapters.
Identify brands in the market that meets technical specifications of proposed equipment.
Formulate appropriate technical evaluation criteria, of VCE bid proposals.
Coordinate with the IBP Chapters the delivery, installation, testing, user acceptance of VCE and training on its use.
Integrate online legal aid platform into VCE.
3.3 Supreme Court of the Philippines - Office of the Court Administrator
Prepare a detailed list of equipment that can fully integrate with Microsoft Office 365 already in use in courts and are compatible with the court’s existing equipment.
Prepare technical specifications and functionalities of equipment in “a” above in conformity with the prescribed standards, integration requirements, and security requirements of the ten courts in NCR.
Identify brands in the market that meet technical specifications of proposed equipment.
Formulate appropriate technical evaluation criteria, of VCE bid proposals.
Coordinate with the selected courts in the delivery, installation, testing and user acceptance of VCE.
With selected vendor, prepare an easy-to-understand user guide and technical manual, and coordinate the training of court personnel on the use of the videoconferencing system.
4.0 Performance Period, Reporting and Deliverables
The consultancy will be for a period of 6 months with a level of effort of 60 days but may be increased or decreased depending on the performance of the consultant, project’s needs and budget.
The IT Specialist will report to the Country Director/Chief of Party for discharging all functions pertaining to this assignment under the ACCESS Project. He / she will submit the following deliverables in due time:
5.0 Qualifications - Education, Experience and Language
An advanced degree in Information Technology or Information Systems.
The ability to analyze client requirements and translate them into specifications for deployment.
Experience in managing projects involving systems analysis, design, development and implementation, and/or provide key inputs for the establishment of long-term solutions.
Minimum of five (5) years relevant experience in application design and integration into service platforms.
Knowledgeable of various technologies in the video conferencing field, including setting up, trouble shooting and operating audio/video software and related equipment.
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in software and application development and/or working with software developers.
Working knowledge and expertise with a variety of software, hardware, and applications.
Ability to engage with clients to build capacity, develop training materials, operating and user manuals.
Review emerging technologies and assesses their usefulness and impact.
Excellent teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills, computer, analytical and report writing skills.
Fluency in the English language.
Not required but helpful would be any of the following certifications:
Managing Microsoft Teams (MS-700)
Microsoft 365 Security Administration Certification (MS-500)
Webex
Cisco
Interested applicants may submit their cover letter and CV to philippineshr@abaroli.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
How to apply:
Interested applicants may submit their cover letter and CV to philippineshr@abaroli.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.