Government Vocabulary Consultant Dari and Pashto

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Request for “Expressions of Interest” for Individual Consultant

Consultancy Services: Government Vocabulary Consultant Dari and Pashto

Project: E-Government Resource Center (EGRC)

Position:                      Government Vocabulary Consultant Dari and Pashto 

Contract Type:            Services Contract (Consultant Services)

Duration:                               12 Months

Closing Date:              30/1/2016

Duty Station:              Kabul

Background

MCIT would establish An E-Government Resource Centre (EGRC) in the premises of MCIT to be the center of excellence in E-Government in the country and to be the source of technical expertise and skills, advice and guidance for development and deployment of E-Government in the agencies and departments of the GIRoA.  The proposed E-Government Resource Centre will assist in the development of National E-Government Information Management and Data Standards and policies within the framework of the already developed e-GIF (E-Gov Interoperability Framework) and e-Gov Strategic Master Plan. The proposed center will provide guidance, advice and technical expertise to GIRoA for design and development of the E-Government program as a whole and for specific projects within it.  The Centre will also provide services to donor supported projects and other agencies of the government at the central and provincial levels in the development and deployment of ICT for governance and development including training and capacity building in the agencies and in the development and implementation of E-Government projects in various application areas. As it is apparent that huge number of projects are being designed and implemented by donor organizations directly, which include the ICT module in it, the EGRC will have a unit tasked to monitor such projects by liaising with donor organization and also monitoring their websites and bilateral agreements with the Ministry of Finance of GIRoA. EGRC will also deploy CIOs in 10 Ministries for the first phase of the project, which will report on the ICT deployments in these organizations on time to time bases; this will insure the implementation of common ICT policies and platforms throughout the government sector. MCIT will arrange MoUs with donor organizations, which will enable the EGRC to carry forward the coordination tasks in this area.

Services to be rendered by the proposed E-Government Resource Centre can be classified into the following major categories:

1. E-Government Consulting and Advisory Services
2. E- Government Human Resource Capacity Development

Objectives of the Consultancy Assignment:

Consultant will manage and direct a team of translators processing Pashto- and Dari-language print and voice material into clear idiomatic English. Process large amounts of information and discern most important elements while working collaboratively and effectively in a fast-paced, often high-pressure, multicultural, team environment.

Selected Consultant will provide Advisory Services for mainstreaming E-Government in Afghanistan. These Services will encompass the following:

• Reading through original material and rewriting it in the target language, ensuring that the meaning of the source text is retained.
• Using specialist dictionaries, thesauruses and reference books to find the closest equivalents for terminology and words used.
• Using appropriate software for presentation and delivery.
• Researching legal, technical and scientific phraseology to find the correct translation.
• Proofreading and editing final translated versions.
• Using the internet and email as research tools throughout the translation process, prioritizing work to meet deadlines.
• Providing quotations for translation services offered.
• Consulting with experts in specialist areas.
• Retaining and developing specialist knowledge on specialist areas of translation.

Deliverables and Reporting Requirements:

1. Report-1(Inception Report): To be submitted within 2 weeks after joining the Assignment. This should include:

1. Analysis of the best international practices on e-Government Strategy, with     a view to assess their  suitability for adoption/implementation in Afghanistan Scenario;
2. Recommendations on the most feasible approach to review the e-Government, with a view to eliminate the monopolistic views of any one e-Government Services Provider.

2. All the reports as outlined above shall:
3. be written such that they stand alone, without the reader needing to refer to other documents;
4. shall include a dated cover letter with the distribution list and shall note key issues of interest in the report for management’s attention;
5. All the Reports (Copies) in English and Dari/Pashtu languages should be submitted to E-Government directorate.

Qualification Requirements of the Consultant:

a)         A University degree (3 to 4 yrs) in area studies, media studies, or another applicable field such as journalism, Law, political science, economics, or history required. 

b)          Typically five years’ work experience in a related substantive field (e.g., translation, media, international affairs, military, political, economic, science and technology); and prior team-level supervisory experience required. 

c)             Fluent speaking, reading and writing in English, Pashto and Dari required (performs extensive, sophisticated language tasks, encompassing most matters of interest to well-educated native English speakers).

d)            Additional language proficiency in Urdu, Farsi, Arabic, and/or other regional languages highly desired, but not required. 

Successful candidates must pass tests in translation, writing, and knowledge of regional affairs; successful candidates must demonstrate strong leadership skills; ability to motivate subordinates and to direct and monitor their work performance; computer skills and experience using Internet required. 
 

e)             Education:

Area studies, media studies, journalism, political science, economics, history

An Individual Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the USAID and Afghan Government’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by USAID and Afghan Government.

To ensure impartiality, the consultant (including his home office, if any) must not, in any way, be affiliated with business entities that are currently providing or are seeking to provide goods or services to the project.

Additional Requirement:

• Sound knowledge of planning and prioritization.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent technological skills.
• Good knowledge of ICT law in Afghanistan
• Good knowledge of MCIT Structure and its mission and vision.
• Good knowledge of e-Government and its services.

Expressions of interest and the latest CVs must be delivered or sent by e-mail to the addressees below, no later than 30^th January, 2015.

1. Foreign Procurement Department (FPD);

Attn: Mr. Samimullah Samin; General Manager for External Procurement;

Procurement Department, Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT);

Mohammad Jan Khan Watt; Kabul, Afghanistan

Office: +93 20 210 37 41; Cell phone: +93 700 222 009; Email: fpd@mcit.gov.af; Web site: www.mcit.gov.af

Copy to:

2. Abdul MujeebMohmand; E – Government Director; Ministry of Communication and IT, I.R of Afghanistan ; Mohammad Jan Khan Watt, Kabul Afghanistan ; Email: m.mohmand@mcit.gov.af

Any queries on the position may also be addressed to the above mentioned email addresses, latest 3 working days before the deadline for submission of applications.