Real-time Monitoring Developer Consultant at UNICEF

Job Number: 511816
Work Type : Consultancy

Purpose of Assignment
The objective of this consultancy is to support the design and develop additional modules and adjust existing modules in the UNCIEF Basic Education real-time monitoring system. A The real-time monitoring system was developed to enhance monitoring data collection, evidence generation and effective tracking of progress including for value for money analysis. The current real-time monitoring system has a single platform handling different datasets with similar features mobile device-based, cloud-based, open source supported platform, 3-tier architecture, compatible to all standard databases. The system has been built around the overall architecture of UNICEF GEP3 intervention monitoring database but needs to be upgraded to accommodate additional data needs of the wider education programme including humanitarian response projects.

Reporting to the Education Specialist (M&E), the consultant will also be responsible for testing and making necessary adjustment to the upgraded real-time monitoring system prior to its deployment for effective use with regards to the additional modules integrated in target states. The consultant will work closely with especially GEP3, EAC team and humanitarian team UNICEF Basic Education section.

Background
UNICEF Country office, Nigeria is implementing an Educate A Child(EAC) funded multi-year project on the reduction on OOSC - More OOSC in School as an expansion of the Girls Education Project Phase 3 (GEP3), a DFID funded multi-year Girls' Education Project Phase 3 (GEP3) aimed at contributing to improved social and economic opportunity for girls in northern Nigeria. The goal of GEP3 is to contribute to more girls in target states in northern Nigeria completing basic education and acquiring skills for life and contribution to both DFID and Nigeria's policy objectives for girls and women in the project states (Bauchi, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara) in Northern Nigeria.

The goal of EAC project is to contribute to a greater reduction of the number of children out of school as expansion of the Girls Education Project Phase 3 (GEP3), funded by the UK Department of International Development, in partnership with EAC in the project states (Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara) in Northern Nigeria. Both GEP3 and EAC projects align with the Government of Nigeria's ten year strategic plan 2017. The Nigerian Government through the Federal Ministry of Education has prioritized six key areas of which four directly align to GEP3; (1) Access and Equity, (2) Standards and Quality Assurance, (3) Strengthening the institutional management of education, and (4) Teacher education and development. GEP 3 purpose is achieved through the following program outputs:

• Increased enrolment and retention for girls in basic education;
• Improved capacity of teachers to deliver effective learning for girls
• Improved governance to strengthen girls' education

Deliverables

• Revised last M&E tools (GEP3 and EAC); monitoring database adjusted based on the revised M&E tools and identified data gaps; mobile and web server platform updated with latest version of tools.
• Revised humanitarian M&E tools; monitoring intervention database adjusted based on the revised humanitarian M&E tools and identified data gaps; mobile and web server platform updated taking into consideration humanitarian M&E tools.
• Conceptual and technical documentation on how to develop the solution; Web server platform updated with import, export functionalities; Import all collected data on web server platform.
• Technical support provided to UNICEF M&Es state consultants during the key e-data collection phases
• Functional real-time monitoring system with additional modules tested and deployed in humanitarian context; technical manuals adjusted based on the additional modules; core GEP3 staff trained to perform the system.
• Technical and functional specifications for LURITS developed; LURITS application all score functionalities implemented and tested; Technical manuals developed by the service provider reviewed; Technical support provided with regards to the deployment of LURITS system in sample schools.
• Online-base, mobile-based and excel-based reporting functions developed, tested and deployed.
• GEP3, EAC and humanitarian databases maintained, real-time monitoring platform maintained and updated.

Requirements/Education

• Advanced degree in ICT, M&E, Information Management, Computer Science or related fields.

Experience:

• At least 5 years professional experience with ICT, M&E or Information Management.
• Competent in relational database design such as MS-Access or MS SQL Server with broad understanding of information management systems and technology,
• Extensive knowledge and skills of computer programs applications, particularly in the area of database management system (e.g.: SQL programming)
• Demonstrated experience developing innovative information technology solutions for developing countries.
• Previous experience developing data systems for mobile devices and familiarity working with open source applications and mobile platforms.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, to varied audiences,
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment, sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

Language:

• Fluency in English language and writing skills