icipe Consultancy to Redesign the Infonet-Biovision Online Database

Consultancy to Redesign the Infonet-Biovision Online Database

Ref No. NRS/74/092014

Terms of Reference

Location: The Consultant will work from own office but be able to travel to icipe for face-to-face consultations with the Biovision FCP team when required.

Duration: To be agreed upon but to be completed by latest April 2015

Starting date: By 3rd November 2014 or soon thereafter.

icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Nairobi and funded by various governmental aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of insects (arthropods) for improving comprehensive health and agricultural productivity in the tropics. 

icipe has 400 staff that undertake its research and capacity building programmes located at various sites in eastern Africa, particularly Kenya and Ethiopia, and collaborating with partners globally.

icipe wishes to urgently engage a suitable Systems Developer to Redesign the Infonet-Biovison Online Database (www.infonet-biovision.org) under the Biovision Farmer Communication Programme (FCP). 
The overall goal of the FCP is to enable small-scale farmers and other users to access and utilise information on ecologically sustainable agriculture through integrated communication channels that include the Infonet-Biovision platform, The Organic Farmer (TOF) magazine, The Organic Farmer Radio (TOF Radio) programme and Farmer Communication Outreach.

The Infonet-Biovision database and the other FCP information dissemination pathways recently underwent an assessment that identified areas of revision and recommendations for guiding the redesigning of the database into a content management system (CMS) that will make the Infonet platform easy to access and use by different user groups, easy to manage, host and update and with improved synergies with the other FCP communication pathways and partners.
 

Tasks of the Consultant

With the guidance of the FCP team and its technical advisor, the service provider will:

Develop layout and structure for the new website and CMS-based Infonet database that embody the Biovision Farmer Communication Programme brand, is attractive, user-friendly and covers the 4-H strategic areas of health (animal, plant, environment and human).Develop an appropriate Infonet Content Management System (CMS) based on Drupal CMS.Migrate the current Infonet-Biovision content into the new CMS.Develop adequate documentation for future use by system developers (system’s technical documentation of the website and the CMS, complete with the most common troubleshooting guidelines).Develop training and user-guide materials for users, content administrators and editors/authors.Train FCP programme staff and a few key partners on how to work with the new CMS-based Infonet.Outputs and Deliverables

The following are the minimum expected outputs from this consultancy:

A well-functioning CMS-based Infonet with all the current content successfully migrated and stabilised.Complete easy-to-read technical and user manuals for the new Infonet.FCP staff and key partners trained on the use of the new Infonet.Requirements / Qualifications:

The consultancy requires an individual or organisation with proven understanding and experience in systems analysis, design, development and knowledge management. 

The following specific qualifications are desired:A university degree in Information Technology or related field with a minimum of five years of relevant experience in ICT applications or related field;Excellent knowledge and use of information management systems and software packages for data collection, storage, retrieval, security and sharing;Experience of working with Internet service providers and online hosting companies;Demonstrated ability to develop complex web-based information management systems for various organisations;Demonstrated professional competence and efficiency in meeting commitments, using time efficiently, observing deadlines and achieving quality results as per realistic work schedules agreed upon.Excellent writing and communication skills that encourage two-way communication and ability to work effectively and harmoniously with project team; andAbility to plan and work with limited supervision.The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.
 How to apply for the Consultancy:

The Consultancy is available immediately. 

All applications must arrive via email on or before 5 pm on Wednesday the 1st of October 2014. Please quote the reference number NRS/74/092014 on the email subject line.

Interested individuals or companies should send their CV or Company Profile, key qualifications and experiences relevant to this type of task (e.g. web links to previous work), cost (fees) of undertaking this consultancy, type of maintenance support agreements and warranty details, timeline for the consultancy, names/addresses of three referees (with daytime telephone numbers, and email and fax numbers), and a one-page write-up on how you consider yourself suitable for the above consultancy to SystemsDeveloperFCP@icipe.org. 

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

icipe is an equal opportunity employer