UNICEF | WASH Information System Consultant

Job no: 496090
Work type: Consultancy
Location: State of Palestine
Categories: WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of the consultancy is:

- To link National Water Information System (NWIS) with Palestinian Metrological Department: the consultant will implement the NWIS track to link PMD information system & progress report towards the completion of tasks that will be submitted quarterly.
- To build the needed reports: the consultant will develop reports in coordination with PWA and PMD.

Assignment Tasks

Complete all necessary steps to fully host and manage the metrological data into the NWIS, by implementing the NWIS with PMD and water related data to the NWIS, unifying the platform of the data collected; finalize planning and start building link between PMD information system and NWIS; develop a response and prioritization of programmers to be able to integrate data and information.

The incumbent's duties and timeframe are outlined below and are to be undertaken in line with UNICEF rules and regulations.

Linking Palestinian Metrological Department – Scope of work and methodology

Scope of work

Task 1: Study and review the PMD existing system (1-2 working days)

Review the analysis and design of the existing system to take new modifications into consideration;
Review the database design (table normalization, table structure, relations…etc);
Review the application (form, reports…etc.)-interface design, simplicity, user friendly and functionality;
Review the operating system and database configuration, database security, database availability.

Task 2: Develop the PMD system using the version of Oracle fusion middleware (11g) to be owned by PMD (source code) and to be updatable from the PMD staff in the future and add any new modules.

Enhance and rebuild new forms that facilitate data entry and reports retrievals
Build new reports in addition to enhancing the existing reports to facilitate the data exchange between PMD and PWA.
Develop query formats for reporting issues (excel reports, web reports, statistical reports) and integrate them with the system to be run by 1 click and publish on the Palestinian Meteorology web site.
Build a new security module that allow the PWA or any other partner to retrieve data from the PMD system safely
Build a new template to standardize the interface and dynamic menu.
Build all necessary validations on data-database side, application side-on data to avoid unexpected data from site stations and data entry.
Update all necessary database modifications to be compatible with the new version of the system (tables, relations, packages, procedures, functions, views…etc), and remove all unnecessary database objects.

Task 3: Install and configure backup stand by machine

Prepare a server to install Oracledatabase 12C.
Install Oracle database 12C that can optimize the performance, availability, and security.
Develop database backup scripts.
Configure database security.

Task 4: Software and system installation

Prepare a server to install Oracle Web Logic Server 11G.
Install Oracle Web Logic Server 11G for deployment and development (powerful application server for building and deploying the enterprise applications).
Install oracle http server to manage the request.
Install and configure the application on the mentioned server to be work throw intranet sites in the West Bank. (centralize database and application )
Enhance and integrate the relation between MIS database and the AWS database. Develop batches to enable the transfer of data automatically from one database to another (data replication) to reduce data entry and data errors.

Task 5: Training

Train the relevant staff (from PMD and PWA) on operating the application, the training should take the followings:

General orientation of the application (screen, functionality… etc.)
Use of the application (covering all the function provided by the application)
Reporting functionality
Training of administration and troubleshooting the Oracle database server, the backup server, the Oracle web logic server and the applications.

Task 6: Testing and maintaining the system

The testing period should be at least one month and depends on the modifications that are required from PMD and the PWA staff and includes:-

Testing the system.
Testing the new and the existing sessions, forms and reports

Suggested methodology

Review the analysis and design of the existing system to consider new modifications
Review the database design (table normalization, table structure, relations…etc).
Held continues meetings with the technical staff from both PWA and PMD to understand their vision about the new work.
Build new needed reports in addition to enhance, update and modify the existing reports to facilitate the data exchange between PMD and PWA.
Referring back to the technical staff from both sides to test any new report or session and take confirmations or notes.

 
Development Methodology:

The Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology is summarized as follows:

Step (1): review Current Situation

The objective of this step is to deeply assess the current available resources of consultant from the PMD-PWA that could be referenced by the project.

Step (2): Gap Analysis

The objective of the Gap analysis is to measure the accuracy of the analysis and user requirements documents submitted by consultant; in addition, this will make sure that there is no changes of the current implemented process in the PMD-PWA since the documents were prepared.

Step (3): Prototyping /development

Utilize the updated requirements received in the documents from the consultant and Gap Analysis to build a high-level prototype; the first deliverables are a series of screens that show how a business transaction is processed. There may not be any database/APIs calls or business logic programmed behind the screen shells. At this point basic decisions are needed in terms of the technology and tools to be utilized while being conscious of overall design and technical architecture. The consultant is diligent in building a flexible technical architecture to ensure scalability and flexibility as more details are added to the solution which places more demands on the design.

Step (4):Repeat Analysis & Prototyping as Necessary

After the initial prototype has been completed, it is then utilized to gather additional and more detailed business requirements from the client. The idea is that the client can better give requirements once the first prototype is delivered. Once the modified set of requirements are gathered, an update to the prototype is made to reflect the new set of requirements. When that prototype is completed, the system is taken back to the client again to revalidate the requirements.

Step (5): Conclusion of Prototyping

After the clients (PMD, PWA) agree on the final prototype, a final prototype should be determined and system will be ready for implementation.

Step (6): Implementation Phase

The consultant employs a time-tested implementation approach to plan, execute and control the implementation process of business solutions.

Step (7):Testing Phase

At the end of the implementation phase the testing phase starts, this would include a systems testing and integration testing. The testing may include a formal user acceptance testing.

Step (8): Training

The objective of this step is to transfer the functional knowledge to the end users Additional training material such as document manual.

Step (9): Go-live

Expected Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected:

Inception report, including methodology, analytical framework, and tools and time frame. The report will provide details of the Consultancy's understanding of the Terms of Reference. In particular, the report will provide details of the methodology and of constraints and solutions that will be encountered during the mapping. The Consultancy shall present the inception report according to the outline, content and structure agreed with UNICEF.
Draft report developed based on the analysis of the data, according to the outline, content and structure agreed with UNICEF. The initial proposal of the draft report should be shared with UNICEF.
Revised/preliminary report (incorporating UNICEF comments) will be presented at a workshop with key partners, which will be organised by UNICEF.
Final report incorporates comments from UNICEF, PWA and PMD. The report will be complete, systematic, coherent, and satisfactory.

Duty Station: Palestinian Water Authority, PWA (Ramallah)

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

-Bachelor's degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas, computer science, computer engineer and any other related field.
-Five years of relevant experience
-Fluency in English and Arabic
-Knowledge of a variety of methods for metrological data. This also includes their physical locations, relationships, and characteristics.
-Proven experience in metrological information systems.
-Ability to solve problems using the appropriate development tools (Oracle Web Logic Server 11G, SQL, PLSQL, Oracle forms & reports).
-Understanding of the concepts behind data management in a relational database.
-Proven experience in systems integration.
-Technical knowledge in oracle backup and restore utilities.
-Proven knowledge in oracle database installation and configurations.
-Proven knowledge in oracle weblogic installation and configurations.
-Knowledge of technical design applications using oracle database, sql, plsql, oracle forms, oracle reports
-Proven experience in building an online information system and online services on Oracle Web Logic Server 11g, over a 5 years, at least.
-Teamwork, strong organizational and communication skills.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values 

Commitment      
Diversity and Inclusion    
Integrity

Core Competencies
Communication [ II ]
Working with People [ I ]
Drive for Results [ I ]

Functional Competencies

Leading and Supervising, Level 1
Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Level 2
Analyzing, Level 3
Relating and Networking, Level 2
Deciding and Initiating Action, Level 2
Applying Technical Expertise, Level 3


Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

Applications close: 03 Jun 2016 FLE Standard Time