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Consultancy
Technical consultant- Parline
The consultant will work in the Resource Centre in the Division of Programmes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and report to the Programme manager, Parliamentary standards and knowledge. The consultancy will contribute in particular to the advancement of the first three strategic objectives in the IPU 2022-2026 Strategy.
The Parline database on is the reference point for authoritative data on the parliaments of the world. It comprises over 500 data points for every country where there is a functioning parliament. Parline is produced with the cooperation of national parliaments, who provide and check the data through a network of Parline Correspondents.
A full redevelopment of the technical architecture of Parline is scheduled to go into production in April 2024. IPU intends to contract with a service provider to ensure the ongoing maintenance, support and development of Parline. In addition, IPU wishes to recruit a consultant with excellent technical skills to complement its Parline team. This person will work closely with Parline stakeholders and the contracted services provider to ensure the smooth running of Parline and the technical integration of Parline with IPU’s digital transformation roadmap.
Accountabilities
Within delegated authority, the consultant will be entrusted with the following:
- Provide advice, training and support to the Parline data administrators about technical aspects of Parline and making the best use of available features
- Liaise with the contracted service provider about planning, scheduling and implementation of technical maintenance, support and further development of Parline
- Carry out day-to-day troubleshooting on Parline
- Keep the technical documentation for Parline up to date, including on the Parline API
- Monitor the usability, technical functioning and performance of Parline and identify opportunities for improvements
- Contribute to planning and implementation of the technical architecture and roadmap for Parline, to meet application and hosting requirements over time
- Draft technical specifications for the further development of Parline
- Provide input to future plans for the management and use of Parline data and other IPU datasets
- Implement and maintain technical implementation of indicators to support Parline reporting on data coverage, communications and performance targets
- Contribute to the alignment of Parline with IPU’s digital transformation roadmap, including through good practices in governance of IPU data
Work will involve regular interaction with:
- The contracted service provider
- IPU’s Parline team, as well as the wider group of Parline stakeholders
Deliverables
Deliverables will be defined according to the agreed workplan, and will include:
- Up-to-date technical documentation for Parline
- Schedule of work for the contracted service provider
- Technical specifications for future developments for Parline
Requirements
Candidates for the consultancy should be able to demonstrate:
- Advanced technical skills in website development, API usage, database management and implementation of open data standards
- Advanced technical project management skills
- A working knowledge of parliamentary data
- A good understanding of trends in the use of data in international organizations
- Successful experience of independent project management; remote working; flexible working arrangements; timely delivery of projects
- Ability to communicate effectively in English
Duration
The consultancy is for up to 50 days of work per calendar year. The volume of work per month will vary depending on activity. Workplans and deliverables will be agreed on a regular basis.
The initial contract will run to 31 December 2024. Subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds, the consultancy may be extended.
Location
The consultancy is home-based. The work may involve occasional travel, the costs of which will be covered by the IPU.
Employment conditions
The External Collaborator 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 External Collaborator is not entitled to recover from the IPU any income tax payable in respect of the fee provided under this contract and shall be solely liable for the payment of any national income tax due in respect of the emoluments payable under this contract. The External Collaborator will not be included in the IPU pension scheme.
How to apply
Candidates should provide the following:
- Curriculum vitae
- A brief description of why they are the right person for this consultancy, including details of their personal contribution to at least two relevant projects
- Expected monthly fee
- Information about their availability to begin work
The deadline for applications is 9 May 2024. Applications should be sent by e-mail to [email protected] with “Parline – Technical consultant” in the subject line. For further details about the consultancy, please contact Andy Richardson at the IPU Secretariat ([email protected]).
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
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 consultants 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 available at https://www.ipu.org/about-us/working-with-ipu.
Deadline: