Individual Consultant for Supporting Solution Architecture for Education Digitalization and Integration of Education Information Management System (EMIS), Kigali, 6 months

UNICEF Rwanda CO is looking for qualified individual candidate for Supporting Solution Architecture for Education Digitalization and Integration of Education Information Management System (EMIS).

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, Education

Consultancy Information:

Title of Assignment: Solution Architecture for Education Digitalization and Integration of Education Information Management System (EMIS)

Category of the Consultancy: International or National Individual Consultancy

Proposed level of Consultancy: Senior

Section: Education

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Duration: 6 months

Start date: From: 1 April 2021    To: 30 September 2021

How can you make a difference?

Background
An Integrated Education Management Information System (IEMIS) is a critical tool for providing the education sector with accurate and relevant information to inform its policy decisions and implementation approaches. Although the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and its agencies have data and information systems in place, inefficiencies in those systems reduce the effectiveness of planning, management and decision-making processes and, ultimately, compromise the quality, sustainability and equity in education.

In 2019, MINEDUC with support from UNICEF, conducted an in-depth analysis of the education sector business structure and processes, with focus on data needs and utilization, as well as information systems and the technology architectures currently in use. The aim of the study was to lay foundation for the establishment of an Integrated Education Management Information System (IEMIS).

The study pointed out the existence of multiple systems that collect the same data multiple times from the same source (redundancy), which leads to the fact that current applications, systems and technologies are:
• Only meeting some of the needs of various education institutions, but are inadequate to support the overall education business structure and processes;
• Implemented without regard to common standards and an interoperability framework.

Consequently, MINEDUC in partnership with UNICEF, and through the support from MasterCard Foundation, is aiming to improve the overall education management information system by addressing issues related to covering the full business processes re-engineering and automation needs in the sector taking into consideration students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders journeys at different levels of the education system. To achieve this aspiration, a digitalization roadmap for the education sector is being developed to guide future investment in the sector.

In this regard, an experienced Solution Architect is being recruited to contribute to the development of the digitalization roadmap through a comprehensive analysis and design of:
• Functional, and non-functional requirements of the future IEMIS
• Information architecture for the IEMIS (Data architecture including production, analysis, information accessibility and use, application architecture including software models);
• Infrastructure architecture for the IEMIS (technology, networks, ….).

The consultant is expected to produce a detailed solution architecture and a related project implementation guide for an Integrated Education Management Information System (IEMIS) which will automate identified manual processes and improve on the automated ones for a better service delivery and education related data management. The consultant will also complement and work with the team in charge of developing the digital transformation roadmap of the education sector.

Justification
One of the key strategic priorities in the Rwanda Education Sector Strategic Plan 2018-2023 (ESSP) is to strengthen governance and accountability across all levels of education in Rwanda. Specifically, MINEDUC is focusing its efforts on, among others, improving data collection and management processes in order to ensure relevant and efficient planning processes and accountability between the local, district and national levels.
The present technical assistance is directly aligned with priorities identified in the ESSP and responds directly to needs identified in the Rwanda education sector by the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), its agencies, the University of Rwanda, district and sector education units, schools, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders. It will provide support to the education system and a clear impetus for strengthening the analysis, dissemination, accessibility and use of education data.

Objectives, Expected Results and Scope of Work

I.-Objectives
The overall objective is to create solution architecture for the overall education sector. The objectives of this consultancy is to:
• Develop and implement education metadata standards and an interoperability framework;
• Design a detailed solution architecture for the proposed IEMIS;
• Develop a guide project document for the development of IEMIS and product acceptance;
• Provide technical assistance to the development of the education sector digital transformation roadmap in collaboration with experts in business analysis and enterprise architecture.

II.-Expected results
1. The education metadata standards and interoperability framework are available and fully implemented;
2. A detailed implementable solution including both functional and technical architecture for the proposed IEMIS is designed and available;
3. Guidance for the development of IEMIS and product acceptance is developed;
4. Technical contribution is made to the development of the education sector digital transformation roadmap.

III.- Scope of Work
a.- Approach
The Solution Architect will work closely with MINEDUC, the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), Rwanda Education Board, Rwanda Polytechnic, Rwanda TVET board, University of Rwanda, Higher Education Council and other experts in enterprise architecture, education business analysis, software development and all relevant education officials to ensure that the sector’s needs are met.

The assistance will focus on matching the IEMIS solution with the education sector’s business processes, creating a solution prototype and guiding the solution development, in alignment with development of the digital transformation roadmap of the education sector.

The overall technical solution details shall be translated into a language that management and non-technical stakeholders can understand. All key stakeholders shall be informed about product development processes, costs, and budgeting.

b.-Major Tasks, Deliverables & Timeframe : As detailed in the attached TORs

Evaluation Criteria:

Technical and Financial proposals will be assessed based on 70 % technical and 30% financial criteria for each component. Applicants must score a minimum of 49 points on the Technical Proposal and meet the mandatory qualifications listed below to be considered technically compliant for the component, and in order for the financial proposal to be assessed.

Technical Evaluation marks are detailed in the Attached TORs

Full points are allocated to the lowest priced proposal that meets the minimum score on the technical proposal. The financial scores of the other proposals will be in inverse proportion to the lowest price. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

The solution architect should have broad knowledge across a wide spectrum of established and emerging technologies and products that can be used to implement a desired IEMIS solution. She/he must have:

1. At least a master’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering.

2. A technical background with at least eight years of work experience in one or more IT areas including but not limited to:

a. IT architecture, infrastructure, and cloud development
b. Engineering and software architecture design
c. Business analysis/system design
d. DevOps
e. Project and product management

3. Vast experience in:

a. Development of Metadata and Data Lineage Solutions for multiple data sources across on-premise and cloud environments in accordance with Data Governance Standards, Policies and Procedures.
b. Conceptual, logical and physical data modelling and data dictionaries and semantics, syntax and taxonomies.

4. Advanced knowledge in:

a. Best practices regarding system security measures
b. Software modelling tools for -graphics and diagramming
c. Software engineering and design architecture
d. Business analysis techniques and processes
e. Typical enterprise integration patterns
f. Principles of computer networks and IT security management

5. In-depth understanding of

a. Coding languages (Java, JavaScript).
b. Various operating systems and databases.
c. XML, PHP, Python, Java, JavaScript, SSL, Apache, MySQL SQL, PostgreSQL, Linux, Nginx, Windows server 2012 or newer.
d. Web Services, RESTFUL, or SOAP APIs, as well as experience writing fault-tolerant and secure code.

6. Demonstrated ability to work productively with government and national systems.
7. Knowledge of the Rwandan Education system is an asset.
8. Good analytical, problem-solving, planning, organizing, facilitation and communication skills.
9. Fluency and excellent writing skills in English are required, Kinyarwanda desirable

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

How to Apply
Qualified candidates are requested to submit their Technical proposal that includes the consultant’s overall understanding of the terms of reference, relevant expertise and experience for this assignment, the proposed approach to the consultancy, a workplan and a realistic implementation timeline and relevant documentation of previous assignments to demonstrate level of expertise. The proposal must include the consultant’s CV, as well as three references’ contact information and P-11 form https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc .
The application is submitted to the provided online portal before the indicated deadline on the advert.

Financial proposal: Only candidates who qualify for the technical proposal will be contacted for submitting a financial proposal outlining the total costs for this consultancy with payment linked to the four main tasks outlined above.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

 ToR Solution Architecture for IEMIS_Edu- For Advert..docx

Remarks:

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.