Primero Database Development Consultant

BACKGROUND:   Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work today in more than 40 countries, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 6.5 people are internally displaced and 10.9 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. Today’s 2.8 million refugees are expected to increase to 4.1 million by the end of 2014. This is no short- term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair. The IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $100 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by nearly 2000 staff, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food  distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, livelihood programming, and protection and legal services. The legal teams in Iraq and Lebanon require an efficient way of collecting and tracking client/case filedata that both fulfills the donor reporting needs and project management needs (counting clients, tracking client progress, case phases and trends in case management data, etc.). Once the data is captured, it can be synced to a secure IRC database that will support workflows for verifications, and client follow-up. This process will significantly cut down on the time currently used for manual data entry and verification and allow the legal teams to have near real-time access to accurate reporting, which supports and improves programming.   OBJECTIVES & SCOPE OF WORK:The objectives of this consultancy follows: Implement a Legal Case Management System as a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) using Primero (www.primero.org). Analyze the suitability of the Primero for this solution, and recommend next steps either for the adoption of Primero across IRC legal services programming in the region or for adoption of another identified software/platform. This entails the following tasks: Review current LB and IQ legal case management requirements and systems. Document the business processes: inputs/outputs, workflows, screens, reports, etc. of these existing solutions, as well as the areas in which current solutions do not meet needs. Attempt to replicate Lebanon’s Legal Case Management system using Primero A sample project will be provided for the consultant to use as a paradigm or reference application. 4. Perform an analysis of the suitability of using Primero as the system for Legal Case Management based on the above: Does it meet the requirements as-is without modification? If not, what are the gaps? Is there another software/platform that would more efficiently and effectively meet the needs of the legal services programming? The specific steps required of the consultant will emerge as the work gets underway, but is expected to include the following: Work with Protection and ICT4P staff to understand field collection data flows and how data is managed in practice. Work with Protection and ICT4P staff to review data in existing protection/legal database systems. Where possible, work with other programmes’ staff to review possible links with similar systems in place. Work with M&E managers/Program Coordinators to gain a holistic view of the current M&E system through, for example, mapping/matricing the key characteristics of data at the project -> program -> country levels to identify the commonalities/points of intersection and gaps/points of departure. Work with Regional ICT4P Coordindator to develop an implementation plan. Build a legal case management database in Primero that responds to the requirements outlined in the previously conducted reviews of data flows, data and M&E systems, to the extent possible. Ensure the possibilities of relating the Primero legal database with other data collection tools and/or databases used within IRC programmes e.g. in KoBo (Iraq, owned by UNHCR; digitized PMT), ODK (ICC database, Iraq owned by IRC/ERD) etc., for the purpose of enabling automatic referral and status follow-up. Document issues, gaps and considerations for expansion. Document lessons learned. The consultant will be reviewing &/or using the following tools: Primero (www.primero.org) Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect Ona.io Atlassian Jira Microsoft Access Zoho Reports Excel Deliverables of the consultancy will be: System and project documentation of existing Lebanon and Iraq system. Primero implemention of Lebanon Legal Case Management System. Report summarizing the results of the Primero PoC, including a gap analysis. KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Consultancy manager: Protection Coordinator (Beirut) Key points of contact: Protection ICT for Programs (ICT4P) Officer (Beirut) Protection Coordinator, Protection and Advocacy Manager & Senior PARC Programme Manager (Iraq) Protection and Rule of Law Technical Advisor (London) Relevant program staff of Lebanon and Iraq country programs The consultant will likely need to be based in Beirut and communicate remotely with our Iraq and London staff. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: Undergraduate or graduate university degree in computer science or equivalent experience. Minimum 3 years of experience in business analysis, software engineering &/or database design and development. Demonstrated data management and database skills using open source software packages. Experience in Primero will be a distinct advantage. Familiarity with reporting in the context of humanitarian programming. Experience with the use of technology for reporting. Fluent in English, written and oral. The ability to communicate and read in Arabic is an added advantage. REQUIRED PERSONAL SKILLS: Ability to listen and understand others’ needs and contextualize them. Ability to get immersed in detail without getting lost in it. Practical orientation. Proactive and self-motivated approach to work. Note: List of responsibilities, professional and personal skills are considered indicative and not exhaustive; actual duties may differ or change depending on office and agency priorities at the time. Based on the information contained in this TOR, applicants should send a maximum 1-page proposed plan for completing the consultancy, including a detailed workplan and approach with the required number of days and daily consultancy fees (other costs such as travel will be covered by IRC), in addition to an up-to-date CV.