Background

Global Pulse (http://www.unglobalpulse.org/about-new) is an innovation initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Big Data. Its vision is a future in which big data is harnessed safely and responsibly as a public good. Its mission is to accelerate discovery, development and scaled adoption of big data innovation for sustainable development and humanitarian action. UN Global Pulse is building a catalytic network of in-country innovation centers, which will test new tools, data and analysis, share what lessons with the global community, mainstream successful approaches for real-time impact monitoring into policymaking. The first Lab has been established in New York (Pulse Lab New York) followed by Jakarta, Indonesia and Kampala, Uganda.                                                                                                                             

Pulse Lab Kampala (http://www.unglobalpulse.org/kampala) is an inter-agency initiative of the United Nations under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda. The first of its kind in Africa, it brings together researchers from Government, the UN, non-governmental organizations and private sector to explore the utility of new sources of digital “Big Data” (such as social media, mobile data, online information) and real-time analysis techniques for social development monitoring and program planning.

A data revolution is underway in Uganda and in Africa. There is more data now than ever. New technologies are leading to an exponential increase in the volume and types of data available, creating unprecedented possibilities for informing and transforming society and protecting the environment. There is more data produced in the last 2 years than in all of human history. There is a tremendous potential in new technology; indeed, this is the forefront of the data revolution already well underway in in the private sector.  The new SDGs agenda will have increased demands – and opportunities- for the use of data. Pulse Lab Kampala supports the UN Country team to tap into the revolution obtaining more and better data to support development work and humanitarian action supporting:

  • Enhance Early Warning: Detection of anomalous trends and patterns of events enables early warning of emerging crises and earlier responses to prevent long-term harm;
  • Real-Time Awareness:  An up-to-date picture of trends, hotspots and dynamic changes in population behaviour enhances programme planning and monitoring of implementation and;
  • Rapid Impact Monitoring and Evaluation: Timely feedback on the impact of programmes and policies allows for adaptive course correction and accelerated achievement of results.

In rural areas, where almost 90% of the population lives, radio serves as a vital platform for public discussion, information sharing and news. Pulse Lab Kampala, along with partners and with the support of the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda, has developed a prototype that makes it possible to conduct analysis of public discussions on the radio. The tool development is unique and a worldwide innovation, involving the development of speech technology for several indigenous African languages. For the first time people’s voices from public radio broadcasts are accessible to advance the Global Goals.

Pulse Lab Kampala has developed technology (http://radio.unglobalpulse.net/uganda) that is able to identify the times at which there is a public discussion on the radio related to particular development and humanitarian needs.

Under the guidance of the Pulse Lab Kampala Data Science Officer, the role of the Translator is (1) to refine the set of keywords, which define each filter, in order to most effectively match the topics of interest, and (2) to produce a structured summary in English of each filter match.

Duties and Responsibilities

Activity 1: Refinement of filter specifications:

Filters for each development/humanitarian topic are defined by sets of keywords to match. An iterative process of refining the set of keywords and evaluating the filter matches is required in order to have the system most effectively identify the discussions of interest. Initial versions of each filter will be provided, and the role of the mutilingual analyst is to propose additions and modifications of the keywords.

Activity 2: Analysis of filter results:

After filters are applied to radio, it is necessary to provide an English translation of any material, which is both relevant and interesting for the purposes of the study. Relevance is specific to each topic, and the definition in each case will be described to the analyst.

Interestingness is defined as follows:

High interest:

  • Phone-ins;
  • Live community discussions e.g. bimeeza;
  • Personal experiences, reports and opinions;
  • Presenter reporting other views from listeners, e.g. reading text messages, facebook posts.

Medium interest: studio/guest discussion - especially if personal experience being reported.

Low interest: in general, anything that we might be able to know from another source.

  • News: can be included if there is a field recording of interest, or if the report is from a small community radio station that might have specific news items that are not nationally reported. Otherwise exclude:
    • Maybe for later: check if news story is reported in major sources (online), and include if the report cannot be found anywhere else;
  • Statements from officials.

For each segment matched by one of the filters, the Translator is required to listen to the segment and make structured notes.

If a segment does not meet the inclusion criteria, add a note at the beginning from one of the following:

  • Not speech;
  • Not relevant;
  • Not interesting.

Otherwise, for each interesting and relevant segment, add a note:

  • English translation of what’s been said;
  • As far as possible: place, time, gender;
  • Codes for type of event.

Competencies

  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Produces timely, quality outputs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Bsc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, BA Linguistics, Literature or related fields.

Experience:

  • 1- 2 years Experience of listening, reading and translating large volumes of recordings and scripts, preferably having worked on examples of filter designs and matches;
  • Experience in  coordinating student activities is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

  • Excellent command of English, Lugbara, Nyakarimojong and Rutoro.

Methodology:

  • The translator is expected to work in close consultation with the Data Science Officer and team at Pulse Lab Kampala;
  • The Translator will work with the team at Pulse Lab Kampala;
  • Copyright and ownership - all materials produced and other intellectual property will be solely owned by Pulse Lab Kampala. Any material provided to the expert will remain the property of Pulse Lab Kampala.

Expected deliverables:

  • Deliverables (filter specification): Input for 5 iterations of filter design for the following topics: healthcare service delivery, natural disaster and gender violence.
  • Deliverables (analysis of filter matches): 200 minutes of filter matches (e.g. 40 x 5-minute segments) to be analysed and annotated each day.

Duration:

6 months.

Working hours:

From 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 2pm on Fridays at Pulse Lab Kampala Office, Plot 11/13 Mackenzie Close off Mackenzie Vale.

Evaluation method and criteria

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology. The ranking of the consultant shall be made based on proposals that are;

  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria and financial criteria as per below weightages (technical-financial): 70%-30%.

Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.
Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points).

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Relevant education and training in BSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, BSc Linguistics, Literature or related field - Maximum Points 15;
  • Relevant work experience in web application development, preferably having worked on examples of interactive data visualization; - Maximum Points: 10;
  • Experience of coordinating student activities - Maximum Points: 5;
  • Methodology and understanding of assignment – Maximum Points: 10.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation (30%).

Payment:

Consultant will be paid according to deliverables, for every batch of recordings provided to the consultants on completion of the translation to English.

Submission of Application:

The candidate is required to submit an electronic application directly uploaded on the UNDP jobs website with all the requirements as listed here below. Annexes and further information may be downloaded on http://procurement-notices.undp.org/. (Reference #37950).

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document to this website - http://jobs.undp.org (Ref no.72554).

  • Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
  • Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Technical proposal:

  • Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
  • A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
  • Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex II);
  • Annexes 1 and II - may be downloaded from the UNDP Procurement Notices Website -http://procurement-notices.undp.org/ - under reference #37950. For further clarifications, please contact; janet.anyango@undp.org; moses.lutwama@undp.org;

Interested applicants should submit applications through uploading of all their required documentation in one single pdf document on this website only.