Consultancy: Network Modelization and Capacity Planning Tool, ICTD New York (Home-Based)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a connected world

The overarching strategic goal of UNICEF’s ICT Division (ICTD) is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally using innovative technology-enabled solutions.

The Platform and Service Delivery (PSD) section of ICTD is responsible for defining, designing, and operating the IT infrastructure, identity management, and the underlying platforms that are hosting UNICEF applications and solutions, both for in-house and in the cloud.

In 2014, ICTD conducted an Office 365 network readiness assessment, proposed mitigation measures when appropriate and developed a network planning model with the help of an external consulting company to allow the calculation of minimum bandwidth for business (MBB) guidelines and to right-size connectivity in support of the strategic move to cloud-centric applications.  The Network Planning Model developed was used by ICTD to calculate the MBB numbers from 2015 to 2021 while allowing to set baselines for field office connectivity. Since the last MBB exercise several new network infrastructural changes have been introduced and global cloud-based business apps deployments are planned, prompting the need for a review of the underlying network planning methodology and statistical model.  Furthermore, the existing SQL, Python, Databricks & PowerBI based network modelization and capacity planning tool needs to be simplified and updated. It needs to be translated into a more efficient, simplified toolkit based on modern coding technology stacks that have been recently standardized at UNICEF.  

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is seeking to engage a Consultant for an overhaul of its existing Network Modelization and Capacity Planning Tool.  This consultancy will be fully off-site and the focus is twofold:

1. Review, update and improve the underlying methodology and network statistical principles that underpins the current Network Planning Model taking in consideration traffic management and growth principles of modern networks.
2. Develop an efficient, flexible, and future-ready Network Modelization and Capacity Planning toolkit (app or group of apps) based on an existing SQL database containing all required network datasets and KPIs. The toolkit will have elements reverse-engineered from the current SQL, Python, Databricks & PowerBI based model and should be based on modern, widely used coding app stacks (SQL, Python, PowerBI, Airflow) that have been recently standardized at UNICEF.

This consultancy is expected to have a maximum duration of 2 months from the start date. A single contract will govern all aspects of the Consultancy.

Key Tasks and Deliverables:

Under the direct supervision of the ICT Specialist, the Network Modelization and Capacity Planning Tool Consultant is expected to fulfill the following.  The key tasks for this assignment will be carried out in the phases outlined below:

1. Foundation

• Reassess the current methodology employed by UNICEF to calculate the statistical curves used to determine the Minimum Bandwidth for Business (MBB) for UNICEF office locations globally. The aim of this assessment is to determine if this methodology is still a relevant and accurate way to calculate the MBBs.
• Evaluate how recent changes in UNICEF’s network infrastructure (e.g. increased adoption of Cisco Meraki, implementation of a pooled VSAT Bandwidth capacity) impacts the current approach of the MBB calculation, identifying possible opportunities.
• Assess the possibility of revising the MBB’s to reach a calculated “ideal” bandwidth per site.
• Assess the possibility of enabling the MBB Calculation toolset to ingest data on a more real time basis to allow more timely adjustments to be made to better manage capacity against demand.
• Provide an outline of the data pipelines for ingesting and processing the data used in the calculation of the MBB’s. This includes defining requirements for importing data, validating, and processing the data required to develop models used to determine the MBBs (manual or otherwise)
• Evaluate the effect of Covid-19 on the use of office networks and how this will impact the MBB calculation methodology and develop ways to minimize its impact.

2.  Design

• Based on the result of the above-mentioned assessments, design an appropriate application to calculate the MBBs. This application should be able to clearly show the steps involved in calculating the MBBs till it outputs the curves and data mapping used to determine the MBBs.

3. Implementation

• Develop, test, and deploy the above-mentioned application.
• Provide relevant training and documentation on the use of the application.

 

Deliverables

1. Following a kick-off meeting, provide a draft high-level project plan with milestones for the duration of the consultancy 
2. Provide a report with the following:

1. Assessment of current methodology used to calculate the MBBs.
2. An evaluation on how the recent changes in UNICEF’s network infrastructure impacts the current approach of the MBB calculation.
3. Assessment on the possibility of revising the MBB’s to reach a calculated “ideal” bandwidth per site.

4. An outline of the data pipelines used for ingesting and processing the data used in the calculation of the MBB’s.
5. Assessment on the possibility of enabling the MBB Calculation toolset to ingest data on a more real time basis to allow more timely adjustments to be made to better manage capacity against demand.

6. Requirements for all relevant processes carried out to determine the MBBs.
7. Evaluation on the effect of Covid-19 on the use of office networks and its impact on the MBB calculation methodology.

3. A fully functional application to be used to calculate the 2022 MBB numbers for UNICEF office locations globally.
4. Provide training and documentation for the developed application
5. Formulate recommendations for the future evolution of the network modelization tool (integration of new data sets, technology stack etc…) 

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have… 

Academic:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, or a related field.

Professional Experience:

• Experience in designing, developing, configuring, and implementing enterprise networks
• Experience in developing statistical models and tools for network capacity and performance planning.
• At least 7 years of combined experience in the fields of enterprise/global networking, application development and statistical analysis.

Other Skills and Qualifications:

• The candidate must provide high level network design and implementation skills and combine technical intelligence with communication and presentation abilities
• Mastery of SQL, Python, PowerBI
• Advanced knowledge of statistical principlesmodels applied to network capacity and performance planning.
• Knowledge of Cisco Meraki Networks an added advantage.
• Expert level certification (e.g. CCIE, CCNP, CCDP) an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

Good written and oral communication skills, with fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF Level 1 competencies required for this post are the following:

1. Builds and maintains partnerships
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
3. Innovates and embraces change
4. Drive to achieve results for impact
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity
6. Thinks and acts strategically
7. Works collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Please indicate your ability, availability, and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above.  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered. 

Remarks:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.