International Consultant to develop an EduTrac Mobile Phone-based Data Collection System for North East Nigeria at UNICEF

Job no: 539517
Location: Nigeria
Categories: P-4
Contract type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy

Job Description
How can you make a difference?

• The purpose of this consultancy is to design, develop and install a mobile phone-based data collection system named EduTrac for Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in North-East Nigeria as a real time Information Management System that is easy to deploy and manage without investing in expensive hardware.
• Individual Contract is expected to use an open source application that can be completely customized by State Ministry of Education (SMOE) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states and develop a  system that  can be used to collect any kind of numerical data via SMS, which should be available on all types of mobile-phones and provide the results on an Internet based dashboard.
•  The Contractor will also be responsible for the handing over of the EduTrac App to the local governments and ensuring that all necessary steps have been taken to guarantee a smooth transfer and efficient running of the mobile app.
• The Contractor is expected to work mainly with SMOE and SUBEB in BAY states but in close collaboration with the Education Specialist/Officer at UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office.

Tasks / Responsibilities

• Conduct desk review of the existing Education Management Information System (EMIS) as well as any other major computer / mobile based initiatives currently being deployed to support the State Ministry of Education (SMoE) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
• Work carefully with UNICEF Education team and the SMoE and SUBEB to develop the pilot project plan and tentative plan for roll-out at states level, timeline, budget, and strategy for government ownership and management.
• Meet with key stakeholders and users, and work with SMoE and SUBEB counterparts to develop the details of the application in line with government work plans and EMIS.
• Work closely with the Education Officer (IM) to design the information flow, collection process and how the data collected through RapidSMS projects and others will be visualized.
• Conduct user experience (UX) and bug testing for the system.
• Create written guidelines for system use and administration for Local Government Area (LGA), Ward/Community and school level users.
• Hold demo/training sessions with SMoE, SUBEB, UNICEF staff and other partners.
• Roll-out the “learning phase” of the monitoring system in the three states.
• Conduct routine data cleaning and monitoring / direct follow-up of pilot, with gradual handover to government counterparts.
• Document all aspects of training and project roll-out (print, photo and video).
• Together with the SMoE / SUBEB (with inclusion of more departments than planning, statistics and Monitoring & Evaluation / M&E) as well as other education stakeholders, carry out a review of the indicators in relation to the sector needs, prioritize indicators for collection reporting through EduTrac in line with SMoE / SUBEB various reporting and management data requirements.
• Development of a monitoring system on reporting (usage of the system) that is managed and run at LGA or state level by LGA officials.
• Collaborate and support the SMoE / SUBEB in developing a regular national publication that reports on what is happening at schools based on EduTrac results and recognises community reporters and schools that have performed well in both accurate reporting through EduTrac and the outcomes / progress at their school.
• Jointly with SMoE / SUBEB develop the Term of Reference (ToR) for the EduTrac team within SMoE / SUBEB, provide technical support in the recruitment and capacity development of EduTrac teams and consultants as a way of taking on ownership of the pilot.
• Train the SMoE / SUBEB EduTrac team as Master trainers to train the LGA / Community / School level officials on the usage and operationalization of EduTrac.
• In collaboration with Education Officer (IM) and software programmers to ensure the system is technically ready for the transfer.

Qualification
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• A University degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology Management or a relevant field. A Master's degree in any of the above field is preferred
• A minimum 8 years of professional work experience in the design, development, installation and management of  software applications similar to  EduTrac  mobile phone-based data collection software system is required.  
• At least two years of relevant work experience in West Africa region is highly desirable.
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation of the software applications of similar nature is required.
• Experience of working with open source applications is required.
• Experience of working with Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) is an advantage.
• Experience of working or coordinating with governmental agencies preferably in Africa region is desirable.
• Prior experience of working with UNICEF or other UN agencies and understanding of the constraints of working in a developing-world environment is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required are:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Innovates and embraces change
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Manges ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please Click here

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.