Terms of Reference Re-Advert – Upgrading of SomReP Community based Early Warning -Early Action System

Terms of Reference -Re-Advert

Upgrading of SomReP Community based Early Warning -Early Action System

1.0 Background

The Somali Resilience Programme (SomReP) is a consortium of seven international non-governmental organizations (INGO). SomReP works to enhance the resilience of chronically vulnerable households, communities by strengthening their absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacities and related systems across Somalia/land. In 2011 and 2017 there were droughts which consequently led to famine in the region. Even though there was improved precipitation in 2018, flash floods and strong winds caused additional shocks which exposed the limitations in the government system toward the response to shocks some of the limitations included: weak human and institutional capacity, limited and/or lack of effective policies and regulations at the government level geared toward supporting Somalia’s vulnerable populations and the increasing fragmentation and instability in the country.

The Somali Resilience Program (SomReP) adopts an ambitious approach to tackle the challenges that come due to recurrent droughts and the chronic vulnerability among Somali pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and peri-urban households. The approach builds on previous experience in dealing with shocks and stresses and explicitly design programs that promote building on existing local adaptive capacity of households and communities. SomReP is implemented through a consortium of seven INGOs (ACF, ADRA, CARE, COOPI, DRC, Oxfam and WVI) with the Technical Unit housed under World Vision Somalia for the coordination and provision of technical support/direction to the program. These seven international organizations have deep experience in Somalia and jointly aim to support and facilitate building of resilient households and communities across Somaliland, Puntland and South-Central Somalia using their own potential and abilities other than depending on hand-outs. This ambitious approach was adopted to foster synergies on approaches and promote best practices by different members to better support the communities.

In 2019, SomReP undertook an evaluation of the online early warning systems in Jubaland, Southwest State and Somaliland to identify best practice and gauge user experience. The findings of the assessment proposed systems improvements including (i) translation of tools into Somali “May” dialect, (ii) develop Interactive Voice Response (IVR) capacity; (iii) develop online/offline capabilities; (iv) dual data collection functionality (v) to support regular early warning indicator collection for community early warning action purposes and (vi) expanded emergency indicator collection to inform sit-rep development in times of emergency. In 2020, SomReP developed an online Community Early Warning Early Action system with an aim to capture mainly process or outcome indicators at the community level which show what is or has already happened. . Since the system was developed and launched, it was not utilized due to operational and administrative requirements that were yet to be completed so that it can start generating the needed data/information.

Federal government of Somalia with support from WFP, set up a National Multi-hazard centre in Mogadishu. This centre sources climatic forecast information from open data sources like National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Africa Flood and Drought Monitor, ICPAC, Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with station (CHIRPS) among others. This global information is down-scaled to Somalia and blended with station/field data. The dashboard captures mainly process indicators which are predictive or probabilistic indicators which show projected impacts over the coming weeks and months which are particularly vital in triggering early action.

SomReP is therefore seeking the services of a consultant to:

§ Assess the functionality and make recommendations on how best to integrate the two existing systems (Community Early Warning Early Action system supported by SomReP and the Federal government of Somalia Multi-Hazard system)

§ Proceed to integrate the two systems into one.

§ Recommend any other source of climatic information that will add value to the integrated system

2.0 Objective

The overall objective of the consultancy is to assess the two systems, make recommendations on how to integrate the two systems and implement the recommendations to come up with an acceptable and integrated Early Warning Early Action system

3.0 The Consultant is expected to deliver the following key outputs

· Study the already developed dashboard/online systems by SomReP and Federal Government of Somalia Multi-Hazard centre, its functionalities and identify gaps

· Based on the study of the two systems come up with recommendations on how to upgrade SomReP supported system which allows interoperability of data from Multi-Hazard centre other credible sources to be used for monitoring and forecasting.

· Develop Systems and module graphical interfaces, web modules, database modules, application reports and statistics, and any software components needed to deliver a merged system from the two systems that would feed into each other.

· Perform all necessary software maintenance, including coding, testing, debugging, upgrading and modifications of the current SomReP supported Early warning early action system.

· Ensure data integrity during and after M&E System implementation

· Provide a high security and cost-effective online portal platform/dashboard

· Develop a customized guideline with recommendations for a subnational climate outlook forum for Southwest state.

· Design a complete user manual that documents installation, setup, and deployment of the platform

· Provide training and reference manuals to different system users

· The system should utilize new technologies to gather, analyse, disseminate data and re-introduce feedback into the system.

· Make consultation with MOHADM at State and Federal to ensure their views are part of the review/development process in this assignment.

· Present the integrated early warning system to the relevant stakeholders for validation

· Present the final early warning system for approval

· Provide a final hand over report signed off by SomReP and the consultant

4.0 Expected Qualifications and Experience

· Team Lead: Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management, Geography, Hydrology or other relevant fields is required.

· The firm/individual must have at least Five (5) years of extensive relevant experience in Disaster Risk Reduction field and Three (5) years of progressive development of Early Warning Early Action systems. This includes setting up and operating the Early Warning Early Action systems

· Experience with data analysis, integration, and synthesis a plus.

· The firm/individual consultant should have a diverse team comprising personnel with the following skills in GIS, Remote Sensing and space-based technologies in disaster risk management, IT expert in Programming, Database expert, data management

· The firm/individual consultant required should have recognizable experience in the field of management of information/data, software development with experience in web enabled MIS development of comparable projects.

· Advanced knowledge and use of Application Programming Interface (API)

· Experience in developing a work-flow interface for updating and tracking records.

· Experience in administering and developing relational databases using .NET, MS SQL Server, PHP or mobile apps development (Android, iOS).

· Knowledge of Open Data Kit (ODK) is a plus.

5.0 Evaluation Criteria

5.1 Mandatory Requirements

Ø Provide a certified copy of business registration(company/organization)

Ø Provide a certified copy of tax registration

Ø Provide information on ownership structure – name of directors/owners of the company(company/organization)

Ø Provide References including names and contact information from previous clients who can be contacted regarding your relevant experience (At least two similar assignments)

Ø Successful bidder will be required to sign World Vision Supplier Code of Conduct form

5.2 Technical Evaluation

Applications received will be evaluated against a combination of the following criteria:

Ø A cover letter outlining the suitability of the consultant in undertaking the assessment, motivation and summarizing relevant experience (Not exceeding one page)

Ø Consulting firm profile (Not exceeding one page)

Ø Precise technical proposal that should include proposed methodology to be used (Not exceeding 5 pages)

Ø Clear work plan including outputs/deliverables and time frame (One page)

Ø Qualification, experience and proposed team composition which should have diverse skills to cover the assignment (Early Warning expert, GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist, Programmer, System Analyst etc)

Ø References including names and contact information from previous clients who can be contacted regarding your relevant experience (At least two similar assignments)

5.3 Financial Evaluation

Ø A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs (which shall include professional fees and any other related logistical cost) quoted in USD. Applicable tax amount must be clearly stipulated and separated from the base costs.

Ø Payment Terms

Ø Credit Period

All Interested bidders are requested to submit their proposal by email to somo_supplychain@wvi.org on or before 7^th January 2022. Proposals should be submitted in three distinct/separate attachments, namely. Mandatory Requirements, Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal (Bidders who will combine both technical and financial proposals shall be disqualified)

Email title should be; – SomReP Community Based Early Warning Early Action System Upgrade

Bids received after deadline shall not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.