PGDP are seeking proposals from suitably qualified professionals for the
position of Project Manager to assist them in carrying out a feasibility
study for the initial stage of a project to provide a database accessible to
all which would list historic parks and gardens.
The assignment is envisaged to commence in April 2003 and be completed in
June 2003 involving up to 30 days of the consultant's time. Proposals are
required to be submitted by 28th February, although some leeway of up to 7
days might be possible if required to ensure a fully worked up bid.
The Project Brief is given below:-
PGDP
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PROJECT MANAGER
UK Parks and Gardens Database
Background
The Parks and Gardens Data Partnership (PGDP) has secured funding from the
Heritage Lottery Fund to conduct a Feasibility Study and develop a bid for
the delivery of a UK Parks and Gardens Database. PGDP is a partnership
between the Association of Gardens Trusts (lead body), the Garden History
Society and the Department of Archaeology, The University of York.
The objective of the project is to provide a freely available source of
information relating to the historic designed landscapes and green spaces of
the United Kingdom, which will be disseminated electronically to all,
including schools and groups, to widen interest and knowledge in the
heritage. As an authoritative work of reference it will also be of use for
heritage management, research and policy making.
Experience in developing a database and associated website has been gained
by one of the partners the University of York which commenced its UK
Database of Historic Parks and Gardens (UKPG) project in 1995 and first
published the website at the end of 1998 (http://www.gardenhistory.org.uk).
The Feasibility Study and Bid Preparation will require wide consultation
with other organisations within the heritage field, particularly those that
have developed, or are developing, databases of historic parks and gardens.
One of the outcomes of this will be to ensure common conventions and
standards and to investigate the feasibility of a universal Thesaurus or
Glossary.
The partners are largely volunteer organisations and wish to appoint a
Project Manager to assist them in undertaking the Feasibility Study and to
prepare the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the delivery stage of the
project.
Scope of the Assignment
… Undertake indicative survey of existing databases and information sources
functional suitability, data structures, data formats, technical
capability, contractual and ownership considerations.
… Undertake indicative survey of user requirements, defining the potential
audience, their needs and the potential interfaces/links with other
databases.
… Review the existing York database against current and future standards.
… Review existing research and recording information within the County
Gardens Trusts and assess current levels of training and experience of
volunteers and the total availability of volunteer person-hours.
… Test the assumptions and plan the delivery stage of the project in detail
… Prepare and agree with PGDP the detailed bid to HLF for the project
delivery stage
Main Deliverables
… Detailed bid for a 3-year project
… Project Initiation Document (PID) in support of the bid, to include the
following:
… detailed project plan specifying deliverables, milestones, resources and
costs
… approach to information collection, storage, web-based searching and
retrieval
… outline specification and design for the educational layers to the
datasets and the educational resources to be created from them
… outline design, specification and costs for hardware, software and
services including web hosting
… project organisation, management structure and approach
… job descriptions for project resources (Project Manager, Training
Assistants) and operational staff (Records Co-ordinator, Webmaster,
Administrative Assistant)
… outline recruitment and training programme for volunteers
… specification of outcomes, success criteria and proposed measures
… cost breakdown including project costs and cost of ownership over 5 years
Duration of Assignment
PGDP envisage that the assignment will be completed within a period of three
months with an involvement of up to 30 working days in total. The expected
programme envisages that the assignment will commence in April 2003 and be
completed not later than the end of June. PGDP would prefer to contract with
the Project Manager on the basis of a lump sum for which they have set aside
£15,000.
Application
Interested applicants should apply in writing and e-mail to:
Mr P.E.Lindesay
The Parks and Gardens Data Partnership
C/o The Association of Gardens Trusts
70 Cowcross Street
London EC1 6EJ
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Providing the following details:-
… CV
… Inclusive daily rates of payment and indication as to whether they
consider the lump sum of £15,000 is adequate to carry out the assignment in
full.
… Experience of similar projects previously undertaken, and specifically if
undertaken for the Heritage Lottery Fund.
… Explanation of how they would approach the assignment.
… Confirmation of availability within the period indicated.
In assessing responses, PGDP will give most weight to previous experience
and to the manner in which the Project Manager proposes to tackle the
assignment.
Queries or requests for further information can be sent by e-mail as
indicated above or by phone to Peter Lindesay (Tel: 01453-834402).
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