Background

The central states of Nigeria have been especially prone to violence in recent years, largely due to the exploitation of communal or religious differences. These conflicts over land, pasture, boundary demarcation, chieftaincy rights, have particularly affected Plateau, Nassarawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Kaduna and Benue states. Plateau state has witnessed a plethora of violent conflicts in the past decade following the return to democratic rule. Jos, the capital of Plateau State has been torn apart by these attacks and reprisals and the map of the city is being redrawn as precincts become segregated along religious and ethnic lines.
Many actors are responding to the current context by providing support in myriad areas with a view to mitigating the situation. On its part, the UNDP is working with all stakeholders, government, civil society groups and the security agencies to provide much needed traction and coherence for mitigation activities, including, capacity building and establishing a framework for monitoring, early warning and response, as well as collaboration between the different stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective
 
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop and implement a software tool to be used for Conflict Early Warning in Plateau State of Nigeria with potential for expansion into North Central Zone of Nigeria. The designed tool must accommodate uploading of information from the relevant parties including the simple sorting of information in order to analyze data. The system must be able to represent data on a map for aiding in conflict tracking and mapping. The system must be able to be modified and accommodate the dynamic circumstances of the situation in Plateau State.
  • Defining a conflict early warning system
        A conflict early warning system (CEWS) can best be defined as a system of data collection to monitor security hotspots, in order to provide timely notice when a dispute or crisis threatens and, thus, to elicit appropriate response.
        Monitoring "security hotspots" may be interpreted as the straightforward monitoring of people’s activities and utterances that may lead to violence. However, more accurately, it refers to a wide range of determinants of security, taking into the predisposing factors as well as possible consequences and appropriate
        The definition includes the ultimate objective of an early warning system (EWS): to elicit an appropriate response. This is based on the view that EWS should not be a process of data collection and analysis, which is regarded as an end in itself but must be seen as part of a whole system which is geared to respond to security crisis and to prevention as a priority.
  • Description of Duties
The Consultant will work closely with the CEWS consultant, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team (EPRT), the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow under the overall guidance of the project coordinator in order to implement the following tasks:

First, software requirements specification (SRS) is a complete description of the behavior of the system to be developed. It includes a set of use cases that describe all of the interactions that the users will have with the software. Use cases are also known as functional requirements. In addition to use cases, the SRS also contains nonfunctional (or supplementary) requirements. Non-functional requirements are requirements, which impose constraints on the design or implementation (such as performance requirements, quality standards, or design constraints).
 
a) Develop a web-based encrypted SMS platform to be used for conflict management:
  • Develop a communication/reporting template to be used by the EPRT and Government for upload inclusive of SMS, web reports and media uploads (closed).
  • Develop an integrated Public interface (open 2 page site) with the private (closed) interface.
  • Web based monitoring and evaluation methods need to be in place (secure user should be able to view progress reports, assignments, notes and results) from those designated to use the system
  • Users should be able to change or retrieve the passwords.
  • The level of access for the interface will vary and must be administrator defined for users
  • All data must be viewable on Google maps and based on project CEWS consultants’ requirements as approved by the project coordinator.
b) Establish a CEWS software development strategy:
  • Establish the framework for the consolidation of data using the SMS conflict indicators and other reporting needs
  • Establish a mapped user profile and reporting/communication link with the administrators
c) Enable the system to be able to sort/search data based on trigger words from SMS or reports for analysis
  • Enable user defined categorizations for trigger words and sorting of comparative data
  • Enable visualization (graphical and Map) on SMS data
d)Facilitate the reporting mechanisms of the SMS Alerts:
  • Establish a means to integrate the SMS Alerts with other user reports within the mechanism
  • Verification of reports and credibility rating of users must be made available
  • Secure channels for SMS must be developed according to CEWS consultant needs
e) Draft an operational manual for the technical workings of the CEWS after full testing
  • The manual must provide a detailed description on the information needed for the improvement and sustainability of the system by anyone
  • Conduct scenario testing on complete functionality responses of the systems and training with system admin staff and stakeholders.
f) Provide operational capacity for assigned short code in accordance with specifications of EPRT and Operation Rainbow.
  • Working with the content aggregators and providers to operationalize an already assigned short code.
  • Install the UNDP procured equipment for full software functionality of the system at the 2 locations in Jos.
  • Ensuring the system is installed on the server with full functionality and integration of the SMS short code and domain name.
  • Directing content to the server for analysis and response.
g) Source Code is any fully executable description of a software system. The source code will be handed over and belong to the Government as will be outlined in the contract; further the source code and system configurations will be considered as government property.

h) The consultant will render maintenance of the system in the area of software and technical support for 6 months after handover and accepted completion of the system. During this period, the consultant will also train staff of EPRT and Operation Rainbow on the management of the system.
 
Duration
While the development of the software should be completed within one month  of conclusion of contract agreement, training and technical support will be for  a period of six months.

Competencies

1.      Experience in working with Content Aggregators and the working of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
2.      Established record in computer data management, computer science, computer engineering or other related field;
3.      Knowledge of developing web based software, and encrypted templates, database, with graphic design for web and customizable Google Maps. 
4.      Experience with Ushahidi and Swiftriver open source interactions is required in implementing conflict and Early warning softwares
5.      Experience in incorporating the open source Public Platform into SMS interface with Face book and Twitter apps.
6.      A basic understanding of the structures and workings of the Government of Plateau State, Nigeria especially public security and peace building institutions;
7.      Possess good command and practical knowledge of information management and Geographical Information Systems.
8.       Demonstrable cultural sensitivity, tact and diplomacy and fluency in spoken and written English
 
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications, the documents/information can be uploaded alongside your resume as a single file.
 
1. Proposal:
(i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
(ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable)
 
2. Financial proposal
 
3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects with detailed contacts relating to the project and at least 3 references

Required Skills and Experience

1.      Minimum Bachelors’ degree in Computer Science or    other related field.
2.  5-7 years relevant experience in software development
3. Experience in Conflict Early Warning System (CEWS) software development
Financial Proposal
 
·         Lump sum contracts
 
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. Your financial proposal shall include a breakdown of the lump sum
 
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. All travels shall be refunded by UNDP at economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she shall do so using their own resources.
 
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets (economy class), lodging and terminal expenses shall be paid at UNDP rate.
 
Individual Consultants responding to this request for Individual Consultant should use the Price Schedule table below in their submission and submitted/uploaded alongside other documents and resume as a single file.

 Price Schedule
s/no
Description of Activities
Unit Cost (USD)
Total Cost(USD
1.
Lump sum Cost for the entire Assignment as Stated on the TOR (You may provide detailed breakdown)
 
 
2.
Any Other Cost (Please Provide full details)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Full Names:______________________________________________________________________
 
Signature/Date:___________________________________________________________________
 EVALUATION
 
Cumulative analysis
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
* Technical Criteria weight; [80]
* Financial Criteria weight; [20]
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 64 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. The maximum 20 points all be allotted to the lowest bid, all other bids shall receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest fee e.g. [20 Points] x [Naira lowest]/[Naira other] = points for other proposer’s fees
Evaluation Criteria
 
Criteria
Weight
Max. Point
 
Technical
 
 
1.
Minimum Bachelors’ degree in Computer Science or    other related field with 5-7 years relevant experience
5
5
2.
Experience in working with Content Aggregators and the working of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
10
10
3.
Established record in computer data management, computer science, computer engineering or other related field;
5
5
4.
Knowledge of developing web based software, and encrypted templates, database, with graphic design for web and customizable Google Maps. 
10
10
5.
Experience with Ushahidi and Swiftriver open source interactions is required in implementing conflict and Early warning softwares
25
25
6.
Experience in incorporating the open source Public Platform into SMS interface with Face book and Twitter apps.
15
15
7.
A basic understanding of the structures and workings of the Government of Plateau State, Nigeria especially public security and peace building institutions;
15
15
8.
Possess good command and practical knowledge of information management and Geographical Information Systems.
10
10
9.
Demonstrable cultural sensitivity, tact and diplomacy and fluency in spoken and written English
5
5
Contract with the succesful candidate shall be signed in accordance with UNDP General conditions of contracts for the Services of Individual Contractors