Consultancy: T4D (RapidPro) WCARO, Dakar, Senegal, 11.5 months

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

[Include information about the country/specific programme. Ideally include a link to a video]

How can you make a difference?

Background:

Under UNICEF West and Central Africa's (WCA) Regional Office Management Plan (ROMP) 2022-2025, and in alignment to the Sustainable Development Goals, digital technologies and innovations are among the core accelerating strategies to achieve Key Results for Children. Specifically, UNICEF WCARO aims to support robust evidence generation and use an agenda centered on impact-level results. The overarching goal of the WCARO T4D section is to bolster innovation capacities across the region and upscale proven solutions and models while championing a robust evidence-generation and utilization agenda that centers around achieving tangible impacts.

However, implementation and roll-out of digital technologies in the region face several challenges, including the lack of comprehensive documented evidence systems, and interoperability of digital solutions widely used by UNICEF and/or its partners. The lack of technical capacity in some COs has also directly impacted on the overall evidence collection and decision-making processes impacting the results for children.

Especially within critical sectors such as health and child protection, the adoption of digital transformation holds the potential to catalyze essential shifts and address persistent data-related hurdles. To realize these objectives comprehensively, UNICEF WCARO is actively searching for a highly qualified consultant to fulfill the role of T4D Consultant –RapidPro. This consultancy is designed with the purpose of strategically supporting the RO cross-sectoral team to meet urgent demands around digitalization and data using RapidPro. UNICEF has been using RapidPro in different country offices to collect data via short message service (SMS) and other mobile communication channels to enable real-time data collection with civil registration agents, and frontline workers among others, and to reinforce communication, participation, and engagement of young people and empower them to voice about their opinion in the national level policy decisions that affect their lives.

This consultancy, plays a pivotal role in enhancing Data Collection through the utilization of the RTM Rapid Deployment Toolkit, streamlining Real-Time Monitoring initiatives, and facilitating seamless integration within the domain of Digital Health. The consultant will provide vital expertise in data collection while delivering on-demand support to ensure the seamless operation of these innovations. This holistic approach aligns perfectly with UNICEF's mission to improve the lives of children by harnessing the power of technology and data-driven solutions.

Scope of Work: The consultant will assume technical expertise and operational responsibilities including the following:

1. Enhancing Data Collection, Real-Time Monitoring, and Digital Health Integration:
   • Carrying out frequent RapidPro system tests to avoid malfunctions and taking technical actions to ensure that the system performs to optimum capabilities and that new features are created to improve the speed of real-time data analysis functions.
   • Providing support on building comprehensive solutions or modules to enable interoperability between RapidPro and DHIS2
   • Building the RTM Rapid Deployment Toolkit
   • Provide real-time monitoring support using RapidPro for country offices, particularly Senegal, Mali, DRC and Burkina Faso that are maintained by RO
   • Maintain SMS and digital channels (i.e., Facebook Messenger, Telegram, WhatsApp) in coordination with RapidPro hosting companies and relevant parties.
   • Build and refine an integrated web-based dashboard, and link it to the RapidPro database, to facilitate real-time data visualization of the various RapidPro-based programs;
   • Provide technical support to country offices to facilitate smooth handover of the platform to the country office, as a means of promoting program sustainability, including supporting the migration of KM database (excel based) to relational database for hand-over to country offices
   • Work with ICT4D focal points to generate automatic and regular feedback in the form of pdf exports (and SMS messages)
2. Reach the Unreached Support
   • Work with UNICEF Programme staff to identify advocacy priorities/subjects for polls, plus thematic groups to respond to critical unsolicited questions raised by children and young people (including helpline and referral information)
   • Monitor U-Report polling/chat bot on SMS, Facebook and WhatsApp channels on daily basis and evaluate the data and outcomes.
3. T4D Resource person for the Senegal Country Office
   • Providing on-demand technical assistance to Senegal CO staff, offering timely solutions to technical challenges.
   • Providing specialized technical support to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Birth Registration and mInfo Sante initiatives.
   • Participating in and, when needed, facilitate workshops related to technology for development (T4D) topics, sharing expertise and best practices.
   • Conduct capacity building sessions for UNICEF staff and local partners on Knowledge Management/Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Real-Time Monitoring, and Data Analysis, empowering them with essential skills.
   • Build dashboards that offer dynamic visualization of critical data, aiding informed decision-making within the Senegal CO.
4. Miscellaneous tasks assigned by supervisor.

Tasks/Milestone:Deliverables/Outputs:Estimate BudgetDeliverable 1Implementation of the Violence RapidProtection initiative in Senegal Country Office

• Collaborate on refining the child violence reporting system to make it more effective and user-friendly, ensuring prompt and accurate reporting of cases.
• Expand the violence protection initiative to additional locations within Senegal, increasing its reach and impact.
• Develop a contact management module to efficiently manage stakeholders' access to the system, defining their permissions and roles for secure and controlled information sharing.
• Create a comprehensive dashboard that provides real-time insights and data visualization to facilitate informed decision-making for child protection and violence prevention efforts.

15%Deliverable 2RTM Deployment Toolkit

• Build a SharePoint site and add content, a part of the RTM Rapid Deployment Toolkit, providing comprehensive guidance on the requirements and processes for deploying digital RTM solutions.

Build a comprehensive documentation of the RTM Deployment Toolkit developed for the Regional Office, including user guides, templates, and best practice recommendations.15%Deliverable 3Data collection templates for the RTM Deployment Toolkit

• Develop five (05) XLSForm templates, part of the RTM Rapid Deployment Toolkit, designed for data collection in diverse RTM scenarios across the region.

Develop three (03) RapidPro flow templates, included in the RTM Rapid Deployment Toolkit, designed to streamline communication and data processing within the RTM system.10%Deliverable 4Implementation of the RapidPro "Speech-To-Text" initiative in Burkina Faso Country Office

• Support the technical implementation of the "Speech-to text" solution to be integrated with RapidPro. This includes requirement gatherings building technical solution, facilitating communication with vendors.

Build a comprehensive technical documentation, capturing the development process, key decisions, and configurations. This documentation will serve as a valuable resource for Burkina Faso CO, enabling them to manage and maintain the "Speech-To-Text" integration independently in the future.20%Deliverable 5Support the Reaching the Unreached Initiative

• Collaborate in implementing and improving the U-Report system in Country Offices in the Region, strengthening communication strategies to engage with the community effectively.

Build a comprehensive report summarizing the technical implementation of the RUR initiative in the six target countries. This report will outline the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned during the implementation phase, providing insights for future initiatives.15%Deliverable 6Integration of RapidPro and DHIS2 for Mali Country Office

• Organize workshops to determine integration needs.
• Develop modules for contact management and synchronization of aggregated data.
• Deploy middleware platforms if necessary for data flow optimization.
• Thoroughly test the integration in a controlled pilot environment.
• Provide comprehensive technical documentation for reference and maintenance.

20%Deliverable 7Documentation and Reporting

• Develop comprehensive technical documentation that serves as a reference for Senegal CO teams and partners, ensuring knowledge continuity and self-sufficiency in managing technical aspects of initiatives.
• Collect and compile global work reports summarizing accomplishments and insights from various initiatives, including Violence Protection, RTM Deployment Toolkit, "Speech-To-Text" Implementation, Reaching the Unreached, and the Mali CO Integration.

Create comprehensive technical documentation covering the methodologies, processes, and outcomes of these initiatives, providing valuable reference material for future projects and knowledge sharing across UNICEF teams.5%To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science with a major in web applications development
• Have no immediate relatives (e.g. father, mother, brother, sister) working in any UNICEF office; and
• Have no other relatives in the line of authority which the consultant will report to.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Mastery of techniques related to the development of web interfaces
• Be familiar with developing data collection tools and real-time monitoring using RapidPro, U-Report and Power BI
• Knowledge of current developments in the fields of documentation, infographics, professional editing.
• Ability to analyze data and create insightful visualizations using Power BI.
• Familiarity with APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and relevant integration tools to connect and synchronize data between different software applications.
• Understanding of cloud computing platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Experience:
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in implementation of cloud-based solutions for real-time monitoring, ensuring reliability and scalability.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in automating data collection and reporting processes, using cloud-native tools and scripting languages to reduce manual effort.
• Experience in analyzing data collected through tools like RapidPro, U-Report to extract valuable insights and visualize using Power BI.
• Experience in providing clear/simplified training to users, with low levels of experience and comfort with ICT.
• Good communication and team work skills for liaising with local counterparts and partners.
• Managed knowledge-sharing platforms and documentation systems
• A self-starter, flexible and can work independently
• Experience working with UNICEF or other UN agencies will be preferred
• Fluency in English and French required. Knowledge of one other UN working language an advantage

Other Requirements

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system /Resume
• Academic credentials/certificates
• Consultancy proposal
• Financial proposal that will include
  • Costs for each deliverable and total all-inclusive (lump sum) fees for the whole assignment
  • Travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TO
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Previously relevant consultancy products & final evaluations (if available)
• Indicate your availability
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.