Improving the PRAIS portal for future report submissions by reporting entities Science, Technology and Implementation (STI unit)

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1 UN Campus, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, Bonn, Germany Postal Address: PO Box , Bonn, Germany Tel. +49 (0) Fax: +49 (0) /99 Web-site: Improving the PRAIS portal for future report submissions by reporting entities Science, Technology and Implementation (STI unit) Consultancy reference: CCD/16/STI/22 *** LOT 1*** Data Analyst Terms of reference for a temporary assignment to assist the UNCCD secretariat in merging data received from the last three reporting cycles 2010, 2012, and Background, objective and outputs of the consultancy 1.1 Since the adoption of the 10 year Strategy in 2007 (decision 3/COP.8), the UNCCD has developed a reporting platform named PRAIS: the Performance Review and Assessment of the Implementation System, which initially was established to ensure secured submission of data received by reporting entities and to store that information in databases for further analysis by the secretariat. So far the secretariat has received data from reporting entities from during three consecutive reporting cycles: 2010 with information on the reporting period ; 2012 with information on the reporting period ; 2014 with information on the reporting period ; While for the 2010 and 2012 report submissions, data was extracted from a database based on SQL (.NET technology), the overall improvement of the reporting process required a switch to Drupal which is currently in use and will continue to be used in the future. Primary objective of the consultancy is: to merge data sets (2010, 2012 with that of 2014) and create a database flexible enough to accommodate future changes in reporting on the basis of Drupal. While the various data extractions listed above were used for analyses up until the year 2014, a list of tags was maintained that links content in one file with that of the other files. Merging would need to be based on the basis of these tag files. In addition, decision 16/COP.11 urged the Secretariat to improve the functioning of the performance review and assessment of the implementation system (PRAIS) website, as well as the way data is extracted and classified for the preliminary analysis, and implement plans to establish a public interface that allows dynamic and analytical online functions, and requested the Secretariat to ensure that data and information from the reporting process are available and accessible to all, especially at the national and local levels. Secondary objective of the consultancy is: to ensure that the database created on the basis of the merged data will allow for and support a public interface to be established on the Drupal PRAIS 2 portal ( ) as part of a separate consultancy (Lot 2). This will necessitate consultation with the secretariat and another consultant and/or team of consultants. In support to the consultant working on the public interface, the consultant of lot 1 will advise the secretariat on possible query functions using the merged database and, in

2 Page 2 particular, advise on visualization of statistical data derived from the database. At the end of the assignment the consultant will submit to the secretariat a coherent and comprehensive model for query functions that will be used by a developer to integrate the model into the PRAIS2 portal. Duties and responsibilities The consultant will work under supervision of the Science, Technology and Implementation (STI) unit of the UNCCD and collaborate, where needed, with relevant staff of the GM and the secretariat, while providing advice to a consultant or a team of consultants assisting with the work relating to the public interface. The following activities are foreseen as part of this consultancy: 1. Delivery of a detailed timeline of activities as part of the application process; 2. Familiarization with reporting templates, data submitted, reporting system (PRAIS); 3. Review existing databases (MS Access and excel/csv), analytical reports, especially PRAIS enhancement report and data extractions relating to the 2010, 2012 and 2014 report submission; 4. Merge the data received by reporting entities on the basis of existing tag files; 5. Advise the STI unit and Global Mechanism (GM) relevant staff on how best to perform future data extraction using Drupal 7; 6. Quality assurance checks of the final product (merged database) in close consultation with relevant UNCCD and GM officers. 7. In consultation with the developer (lot 2) Produce a comprehensive conceptual framework for query functions of the PRAIS2 portal, including necessary algorithms. 7. Submit a final technical report on activities undertaken, including information on the database and instructions for future use, where necessary; Deliverables The consultant is expected to produce one merged clean data set containing the 2010, 2012 and 2014 submitted data, and a comprehensive conceptual framework for data queries with necessary algorithms. A report with clear guidelines on how the data merging was done, in order to use it for future data merging functionality and, if any, lessons learned. All documents and information shall be submitted in English Technical requirements University Degree in statistics, mathematics, information management or any closely related field; Knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analyzing medium to large datasets; Strong IT background preferably in programs such as DRUPAL, and experience in database technologies is highly desirable ; Experience and familiarity with MySQL and XML;

3 Page 3 Ability to communicate results and findings to non-statisticians and IT programmers; A high level of accuracy and attention to detail; The capability to work to deadlines and plan work; Familiarity with UNCCD is desirable, Excellent communication skills and experience in preparing reports; Terms and conditions: The expected duration of the consultancy will be maximum one month, starting as early as possible; The consultant is expected to work at the UNCCD headquarters in Bonn, Germany; The consultant is requested to provide a cost estimate on the basis of the deliverables to be provided to the secretariat together with a timeline and his/her application; Please note that any travel and accommodation costs related to this assignment will need to be covered by the consultant with no remuneration made by the UNCCD secretariat; Methodologies and products developed and delivered through this consultancy shall remain the exclusive property of the UNCCD secretariat, and shall not be divulged and/or used without prior written authorization. *** LOT 2*** Developer Terms of reference for a Consultancy to assist the UNCCD secretariat creating a query functionality in PRAIS2 using the merged data (deliverable of Lot 1) Duties and responsibilities The consultant will work under the supervision of the Science, Technology and Implementation (STI) unit of the UNCCD and collaborate, where needed, with relevant staff of the Global Mechanism (GM) and the secretariat while coordinating with the data analyst recruited for Lot 1. The following activities are foreseen as part of this consultancy: 1. Delivery of a detailed timeline of activities as part of the application process; 2. Familiarization with reporting templates, data submitted, reporting system (PRAIS); 3. Familiarization with existing databases (MS Access and excel/csv), analytical reports, especially PRAIS enhancement report and data extractions relating to the 2010, 2012 and 2014 report submission; 4. Familiarization with the cleaned merged data relating to the 2010, 2012 and 2014 report submission; 5. Develop on the basis of the conceptual framework produced by the consultant under lot 1 query functionality of the PRAIS data; 6. In close cooperation with the analyst (Lot1), develop a user interface on the PRAIS2

4 Page 4 system, with query functionality for the data in the merged database; 7. Liaise with IT personnel on the creation of the query functionality and the data visualization and share knowledge among staff (basic and advanced training for selected staff). 8. Translating data and other program information as required into easy visual representations, in accordance with data visualization best practices 9. Explore ways of presenting data effectively through visual representations (charts, graphs,); 10. Liaise with the data analyst working on the data merging and provide feedback to him/her; 11. Create a user group to prove the models actually work and to assure the integration of these models into PRAIS Quality assurance checks of the final product with close consultation with relevant UNCCD and GM officers; 13. Submit a final technical report on activities undertaken, including information on the database and instructions for future use, where necessary; Deliverables The consultant is expected to integrate the query functionality into the existing PRAIS 2 portal. Training relevant staff on query functionality, visualization, online updating and extraction/ importing of data. A report with clear guidelines on how the query functionality was done, in order to use it for future reference and, if any, lessons learned. Documentation regarding the solution developed and implemented, including: solutions overview; user guides; maintenance, backup and administration guides; technical documents; and training guides and materials. All source codes All documents and information shall be submitted in English Technical requirements University degree in computer science, computer engineering, programming complex IT solutions or any closely related field; Expertise with software engineering /programming skills Experience query function and data visualization Experience in Database technologies, such as MySQL and XML and working with PHP, JavaScript and jquery Experience building responsive websites using Drupal CMS. Experience solving complex analytical problems Ability to communicate results and findings to non- IT staff; Strong analytical skills and ability to transform data into actionable insights The capability to work to deadlines and plan work; Familiarity with UNCCD is desirable, Excellent communication skills and experience in preparing reports;

5 Page 5 Terms and conditions: The expected duration of the consultancy will be maximum 2 months and should start after data merging (lot 1 of the assignment) has been achieved or is about to be finalized; The consultant is expected to work at the UNCCD headquarters in Bonn, Germany; The consultant is requested to provide a cost estimate on the basis of the deliverables to be provided to the secretariat together with a timeline for deliveries. Cost estimate and timeline would need to be annexed to the application; Please note that any travel and accommodation costs relating to this assignment will need to be covered by the consultant with no remuneration made by the UNCCD secretariat; Methodologies and products developed and delivered through this consultancy shall remain the exclusive property of the UNCCD secretariat ( including the rights to reproduce, customize, modify, and source codes (where applicable) for code developed, graphic and other design, etc.), and shall not be divulged and/or used without prior written authorization. Submission of application for LOTs 1&2 Applications, including a cost estimate of the consultancy, cover letter, CV or UN personal history form (P11) that could be found on the UNCCD vacancies page, and references, should be submitted by to staffing@unccd.int, specifying the position: either LOT 1 Data Analyst CCD/16/STI/22 or LOT 2 Developer CCD/16/STI/22. Candidates who are willing to apply for both slots are requested to specify that in the title of the . Please note that any travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the consultant with no remuneration made by the UNCCD secretariat; The deadline for applications is 15 June Only applications submitted by the deadline will be considered. No telephone calls will be returned. Please address your application as indicated above and please do not address or copy your application to an individual at the Secretariat. Date of issuance: 13 May 2016