Drafting a Comprehensive Request for Proposal to develop Data Security Protocol

National Consultant for Drafting a Comprehensive Request

for Proposal to develop Data Security Protocol for Pakistan Bureau of Statistics

Background:The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is the national statistical office of Pakistan and isresponsible for the collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of official statistics. With increasing reliance on digital data collection systems, administrative data sources, and data sharing with national and international stakeholders, the need for a comprehensive and standardized Data Security Protocol has become critical. Currently, the absence of a formalized and institution-wide data security framework poses risks related to data confidentiality, integrity, controlled access, and secure dissemination of data.In this context, UNFPA, in collaboration with PBS, intends to engage an Individual Consultant to develop a Comprehensive Data Security Protocol aligned with international best practices, data protection principles, and the operational needs of PBS. The protocol should include statistical confidentiality and full data lifecycle controls.

Objective of the consultancy:The overarching objective of this consultancy is to leverage the expertise of a domain specialist to fill PBS's current capacity void in data security and governance. The consultant will serve as the principal technical authority to assess existing conditions, identify vulnerabilities, and architect a comprehensive, internationally compliant data security framework from the ground up. The consultant's principal responsibility, interalia, is the development of a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) that integrates prevailing international standards and globally accepted best practices.Since, the ultimate goal is to hire a consultancy firm on the basis of RFP, therefore, the consultant shall be required to develop a well-defined and structured plan to accomplish the following: -

1. Assess and Diagnose: Conduct a thorough assessment of PBS's current data management practices, systems, and infrastructure to diagnose existing vulnerabilities, gaps, and risks related to data confidentiality, integrity, and availability across all offices and digital platforms.

2. Design Foundational Protocols: Leveraging international best practices and global standards (ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, UN/OECD principles), design a comprehensive set of robust data sharing, data updating, and access control protocols for PBS and its regional offices. These protocols shall incorporate data classification, auditable approval workflows, and secure integration mechanisms for APIs and other digital data exchange channels,addressing a domain where PBS currently has no formalized guidance.

3. Define Strategic Architecture: Develop a strategic framework for data security that prescribes encryption standards, authentication mechanisms, secure storage solutions, and privileged-access controls, thereby providing PBS with a ready-to-implement technical blueprint that it cannot currently produce internally.

4. Institutionalize Operational Procedures: Formulate detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for breach response, data retention, disclosure control, and user monitoring. These SOPs are intended to institutionalize transparency and accountability,creating a lasting operational culture that PBS can sustain after the consultancy concludes.

5. Prescribe Database and System Controls: Advise on the design of a Database Management System (DBMS) architecture that enables efficient data retrieval while embedding mandatory security controls, including secure access protocols, automated backup mechanisms, and comprehensive audit trails, addressing a critical technical capability that PBS lacks.

6. Recommend Certifications and Advanced Safeguards: Identify and recommend relevant international certifications, advanced security measures, and supplementary protocols that PBS should pursue to elevate its digital systems to internationally recognized security levels,thereby future proofing its data infrastructure.

7. Enable Procurement through RFP Development: Develop a comprehensive and technically precise Request for Proposal (RFP) that translates the consultant's expert findings and technical specifications into actionable procurement documents. This RFP will enable PBS to subsequently engage a suitable firm for the development of the recommended data security framework; a task PBS cannot undertake without the consultant's specialized input.

8. Build Internal Capacity through Knowledge Transfer: Throughout the consultancy, ensure knowledge transfer to PBS technical staff and management through consultations, workshops,and collaborative reviews, thereby equipping the institution with the foundational understanding required to own, operate, and evolve the data security framework beyond the consultant's engagement.

Scope of work:

(Description of services,

activities, or outputs)

The Individual Consultant will be responsible for accomplishing the above objectives and shall undertake the following tasks:

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Review and Needs Assessment: Undertake a thorough review and diagnostic assessment of PBS's existing data management practices, security protocols, and digital infrastructure across all offices and platforms. Based on the findings, the consultant shall advise on additional measures, protocols, certifications, and standards required to fortify the digital system against current and emerging threats, a critical function that PBS cannot currently perform internally.

2. Identify Vulnerabilities and Assess Risks: Systematically identify and document gaps, vulnerabilities, and risks related to data safety, security, confidentiality, integrity, accessibility,and availability across the entire data lifecycle, thereby providing PBS with a clear risk profile that does not currently exist.

3. On the basis of comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) developed by the consultant will enable a consultancy firm to accomplish following: -

a) Design Protocols and Standards: Develop robust, secure, and auditable data sharing and data updation protocols for implementation across PBS, its regional offices, and external stakeholder engagements through digital platforms, including APIs and other data exchange mechanisms. These protocols shall be aligned with prevailing policies and shall address key areas such as access controls, classification of sensitive data, and user eligibility criteria. For APIs, the consultant shall specifically prescribe standards for authentication, logging, encryption, and revocation, providing technical specifications that PBS lacks the expertise to develop independently.

b) Formulate a Comprehensive Data Security Protocol: Architect a comprehensive Data Security Protocol for PBS that encompasses data classification frameworks, access control mechanisms, encryption standards, authentication protocols, secure storage solutions, and data sharing and updation procedures with full traceability and auditability. This protocol shall serve as the foundational security blueprint for the institution.

c) Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Develop detailed and actionable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the implementation of the Data Security Protocol and associated standards. These SOPs shall address breach response protocols,data retention policies, disclosure controls, privileged-user monitoring, and other operational security measures necessary for achieving applicable certifications. The SOPs are intended to institutionalize security practices that PBS can sustain beyond the consultancy period.

d) Propose an Implementation Roadmap: Prepare a comprehensive implementation roadmap that clearly defines roles, responsibilities, timelines, resource requirements, and capacity-building needs, thereby providing PBS with a structured pathway to operationalize the recommended framework.

e) Recommend International Standards and Certifications: Identify and recommend relevant international standards, frameworks (such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, and UN/OECD statistical confidentiality principles), and certifications that PBS should pursue to align with global best practices and enhance its credibility as a secure data steward.

f) Facilitate Consultations and Ensure Institutional Ownership: Conduct structured consultations with PBS technical staff, management, and relevant stakeholders to validate findings, refine recommendations, ensure practical applicability, and foster institutional ownership. These consultations shall also serve as a mechanism for knowledge transfer, equipping PBS personnel with the foundational understanding required to effectively implement and sustain the proposed framework after the consultancy concludes.

Expected Outcomes/

Outputs/ Deliverables:

Inception Report: A report outlining the consultant's understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology and approach, and detailed timeline and workplan within two weeks of contract initiation.

Conduct a Comprehensive Review and Needs

Assessment: Conduct a Comprehensive Review and Needs Assessment of PBS's existing data management practices, security protocols, and digital infrastructure across all offices and platforms, with a view to identifying critical gaps and informing the subsequent development of security frameworks.

Identify Vulnerabilities and Assess Risks:Identify Vulnerabilities and Assess Risks related to data safety, security, confidentiality, integrity, and availability across the entire data lifecycle, thereby providing PBS with a comprehensive risk profile that does not currently exist within the institution.

Final Report of the consultancy: A comprehensive report summarizing consultancy activities, lessons learned, Implementation roadmap (including capacity building and recommendations for further capacity building. In addition to the soft copy of the report, the consultant is also required to submit two Hard Cover.

Develop a Comprehensive Request for Proposal

(RFP): The RFP will accurately reflects the identified requirements and organizational needs of PBS, incorporating detailed technical specifications, implementation methodologies, applicable internationalstandards (including ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, and UN/OECD principles), compliance and certification requirements, key performance indicators, deliverable schedules, and comprehensive evaluation criteria, thereby enabling PBS to procure a suitable service provider capable of delivering a robust and sustainable data security framework. Binding copies of the RFP to the PBS.

Duration and working schedule:This assignment is deliverable-based and is expected to be completed within 2.5 months from the date of commencement that is Oct 1, 2026.

Place where services are to be delivered:Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Islamabad

Required Skills :Relevant certifications (CISSP/CISM/CISA/ISO 27001) will be preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in developing data security frameworks, data governance policies, or similar protocols for government institutions or international organizations.

• Proven analytical, report writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.