Invitation for Expression of Interest. UNAIDS -People-Connector- Project

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Invitation for Expression of Interest to Undertake the Role of the

Implementing Partner of the " People-Connector " Project

This note invites organisations to express their interest in carrying

out the tasks of the Implementing Partner (IP) of the People-

Connector project that has been initiated and developed by the

Technical Network Development Unit of the UNAIDS Secretariat. This is

the first step in an international competitive tender to select the

IP undertaken by UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services).

Project Objective

UNAIDS proposes to facilitate the development of a global network of

individuals working in HIV/AIDS by developing a tool that would

foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration between network members.

The tool, temporarily called the People-Connector, will aim to serve

as a link between individuals working at the local, national,

regional and international levels with the common goal to address the

epidemic by sharing their knowledge, skills and resources based on

mutual trust and understanding.

The implementation of the platform is divided into phases based on

the range of functionalities available for network members. In the

first phase of implementation the People-Connector will incorporate

the following both web- and e-mail based functionalities:

a) White Pages (database of standardised homepages of individuals)

Yellow Pages (database of standardised homepages of affiliates)

c) Search for individuals and affiliates

d) Q & A section (Questions and Answers)

e) Newsletter about the life of the network

f) List of existing discussion forums and affiliate websites

In the subsequent phases of implementation, further features will be

integrated into the system dependent on members' needs.

The People-Connector will be branded separately from UNAIDS. A brand

name is still to be found.

The Implementing Partner

UNAIDS is currently looking for a suitable Implementing Partner that

will be mandated to develop the infrastructure and carry out the day

to day operations of the People-Connector. The work of the IP will be

overseen by the UNAIDS Secretariat.

A Steering Committee will be established to provide assistance in

giving overall direction in the work of the IP and throughout the

People-Connector project. Trusted People-Connector members will be

invited to be part of this body in order to reflect the diverse

membership of the global network on the basis of the following list

of categories:

a) UNAIDS

a network of AIDS service organisations

c) a UN Agency (UNAIDS Cosponsor)

d) an Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)

e) a bilateral agency

f) a poor and a rich country

g) a network of persons living with HIV/AIDS

h) the private/for-profit sector

i) a religious group

j) a foundation active in HIV/AIDS work

Roles and Responsibilities of the Implementing Partner

The IP will desirably carry out the following tasks itself while

being fully responsible to UNAIDS in accordance with Rules and

Regulations under UNOPS contract:

a) Animation and moderation of the network – The IP will be in charge

of handling registration of members and storing their data. As the

system start-up will be in three languages (English, French and

Spanish), the translation of the Q & A section and handling of incoming

and outgoing questions and answers will also be its responsibility.

Content management – As well as handling the technical aspects of

the implementation, equal importance will be devoted to the content-

handling capacities of the IP candidates. They need to be capable of

carrying out the management of HIV/AIDS related content.

c) Handling of membership data and Q & A databases – The IP will devote

great care and attention to each phase of the membership process as

well as to the postings and the content in the Q & A section of the

platform.

If needed, the following tasks will be either carried out by the

partner itself or subcontracted to other entities. The IP remains

fully responsible to UNAIDS for their performance.

a) Software development and maintenance – The IP will be entirely

responsible for the software development and the daily operation of

the network.

Hosting – The IP will assure that all web-hosting activities

(hardware, backup data-saving, security procedures) are carried out

sufficiently to fulfil the requirements of the secure functioning of

the network.

Timetable

It is expected that the contract issued to the IP will be renewable

for a period of 3 to 5 years while being subject to periodical

reviews by UNAIDS.

The preparation phase for the implementation is scheduled to start in

September 2002, immediately after the international competitive

tender for selecting the IP. During this preparation of three (3)

months the IP (with its subcontractors) will carry out the software

development, the design and the import of the initial content of the

website.

Following the system start-up (scheduled in December 2002) the

contract will be effective for a period of six (6) months (first

phase of implementation), but no longer than the end of June 2003.

The evaluation of the first phase will be due no later than July

2003, preferably earlier.

Desired Characteristics of the Implementing Partner (Skills and

Experience)

The term " partner " clearly indicates its role. It is more than a

service provider working on a contract; it is an organization that

shares the same vision, views and objectives since it will be the

central part of the network.

The successful bidder will encompass the following characteristics:

Pre-requisite

a) Established and functional presence in countries affected by

HIV/AIDS

Demonstrated ability to manage electronic communication media

c) Track record of managing AIDS related content

Criteria for notation

a) Demonstrated capacity to manage large electronic distribution

lists

Experience with [ " low band-with " or e-mail only] clients

c) Location in the South

d) Experience in the management of large membership databases

e) On going activity to bridge the digital divide

f) Demonstrated ability to manage institutional growth

g) Ability to function in a multilingual environment

h) Capacity to manage subcontracts

i) Budget allocated to the animation of the network

Bidders should designate a project manager who will be mandated to

oversee the work carried out by the IP. This person, in particular,

must have the personal credibility to deal with complex matters at

the highest levels. The project manager will also be capable of

practicing effective team leadership and will have project and budget

management skills as well as international experience.

Letter of Interest

Organizations interested in undertaking the role of the Implementing

Partner should write a concise letter of interest of no more than

three (3) pages detailing the reasons why their organization

expresses interest in the project and why would they be a suitable

candidate with respect to the list of criteria stated above.

Those applications who meet the criteria will be invited to submit

official bids and will be contacted in due course.

Letters of interest should reach the address below in hard copy, no

later than Monday, 10 June 2002.

Technical Network Development

UNAIDS Secretariat / CRD

World Council of Churches

1211 Geneva 27

Switzerland

Fax: (41) 22 791 47 46

In addition, bidders are encouraged to email a copy of their letters

of interest to:

la Halàsz, halaszg@... and Dionyssia Geka,

dionyssiag@....

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