National Consultant - Telephony Systems for UXO at UN Development Programme – Lao People's Democratic Republic (the)

Lao PDR is heavily affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO), posing significant humanitarian, social, and economic challenges. The Government is committed to addressing this through the National Strategic Plan for the UXO Sector and SDG 18. An effective reporting and coordination mechanism is crucial, with Hotline 1603 serving as the national point of contact for UXO-related reporting, accident response, information, and feedback.

While Hotline 1603 has been operational, its functionality is limited by manual processes, inconsistent documentation, and underdeveloped technical systems. There's a high volume of non-genuine calls and a lack of structured data management. The long-term operational model (in-house, outsourced, or hybrid) also needs assessment.

The National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO/Mine Action Sector seeks a qualified consultant to strategically review and improve Hotline 1603. Key responsibilities include:

- **Task 1: Assessment of Existing Hotline System:** Evaluate current functionality, processes, documentation, and technical systems.
- **Task 2: Assessment of Needs and Requirements:** Identify necessary improvements and requirements for a robust telephony mechanism, considering different operational models (NRA-managed, outsourced, or other models).
- **Task 4: Development of Implementation Roadmap:** Define the scope of work and methodology for future implementation, informed by desk review.

- Qualified national or international consultant (full requirements not provided in the excerpt).