TERMS OF REFERENCE

TERMS OF REFERENCE

System Enhancement and Localization

1. IMPACT BASED FORECASTING DASHBOARD

Building Information Platform Against Disaster (BIPAD) is an integrated and comprehensive Disaster Information Management System initiated by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Home Affairs, and is owned by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. It is built upon the concept of creating a national portal embedded with independent platforms for the national, provincial, and municipal governments. The portal is hosted under the Government of Nepal’s (GoN) domain . Currently, it is in the process of rolling out to local and provincial governments. 

The portal currently has six modules – dashboard, incident, damage and loss, real-time, profile, risk information – which aim to support decision-making across all phases of disaster management. Aiming to support in anticipatory actions, a new module called Impact Based Forecasting (IBF) is being developed within the portal. The impact-based forecasting module of the BIPAD portal currently focuses on riverine floods and is being piloted at two river stations in West Nepal: Chisapani station on the Karnali River, and Chepang station on the Babai River, which cover the flood plains of Bardiya and Kailali districts respectively. The portal integrates hydrological forecast data from the Global Flood Awareness System (GLoFAS) for these two stations, and  interlinks with METEOR flood inundation maps at different return periods, which then combines with risk data available at different spatial scales (e.g., on vulnerability, coping capacity, exposure), to calculate and visualize flood impacts.

However, the existing IBF module  in the portal is still a prototype, with limited practical functionality. It currently displays only the very basic requirements of an impact-based forecasting model, with little user interaction to date. Through continuous user testing and piloting at the local level, the impact-based forecasting module needs to be fully operational for the upcoming monsoon season.

Against this backdrop, the proposed assignment aims to advance and strengthen the existing IBF dashboard in the framework of the BIPAD portal in an open-data technology.

2. OBJECTIVE  

The objective of the project is to strengthen existing Impact based Forecasting dashboard system of BIPAD portal by upgrading and enhancing its features. 

The specific objectives are 

a. Integration of additional 37,000 household data of five municipalities in IBF 

b. Create sub-domain for all five project municipalites 

c. Improve UI/UX of existing IBF system 

d. Development of user manual in both English and Nepal 

e. Localization training to project municipalites 

3. SCOPE OF WORK 

a. Integration and visualization of additional 37,000 household data of five municipalities (Bara Bardiya, Thakurbaba, Gulariya, Tikapur and Janaki) following the existing framework of the BIPAD portal. 

b. Development of digital mock-up with additional and improved features. The mockup shall be prepared in rigorous consultation with the experts from NDRRMA, and NRCS

c. Improvement of the existing UI/UX of IBF dashboard, 

• Presenting household level details in a tool tip– including key necessary socio-economic details for easy identification and targeting of early action support from municipalities
• Include early action matrix for municipalities (within the IBF system) – based on the impact/risk score level – (with technical guidance and leadership from NRCS)
• Feature upgradation for easy navigation 

d. Testing and deployment of IBF dashboard  

e. Create sub-domain of BIPAD Portal (for example, http://tikapurmun.bipadportal.gov.np) for all project palikas 

f. Development of user manual in both English and Nepali language to help user (municipalities) to understand the system and for easy navigation. 

g. Provide technical training for localization of the tool in five project municipalities together with NRCS 

4. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF NEPAL RED CROSS SOCIETY  

Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) shall provide all the necessary data of five municipalities including relevant reference materials along with the feedbacks to integrate in IBF. Further, NRSC should provide technical guidance and shall lead in developing early action matrix for municipalities within the IBF system. 

7. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Use of open-source libraries—compatible with BIPAD Portal’s current code compatibility. Refer technical manual for mode details, https://bipadportal.gov.np (go to about us/publications).  
• Use of open-source development language and web framework based on Python, Node.js, ReactJS, etc. for sufficient security and manageability for the web portal; the consulting firm may propose an alternative development language, providing the details and reasons. 
• Use of open-source databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL, and use of open-source spatial data visualization platform and infographic e.g., Leaflet, Mapbox, D3.js, recharts with responsive design that works on common digital devices (smartphones, tablets, computers). Use of map-based technology such as Geoserver, GeoDjango, PostGIS, QGIS, Mapbox Studio, MapLibre, and Mapbox-GL-JS. 
• Use of containerization technology e.g., Docker, use of free/open-source analytics and monitoring platforms/tools, cloud-based hosting, and development and implementation of security policy (including aspects of cybersecurity and privacy). Database scripts, setup, and release notes for each new release. 
• Well-commented source code for all system enhancement work. Test plans and test cases (including Unit Test Plan, User Acceptance Test Plan, System/Integration Test Plan, Security Test Plan, Load Test Plan, Regression Test Plan). Unit testing, load testing, integration testing and testing documentation (including details of defects/bugs/errors and their resolution).

8. CONTRACT DURATION

The entire project shall be completed in three months, starting from July till September/October. The consulting firm should start the work as soon as possible.

9. QUALIFICATION AND CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

A. Team Leader 

The team Leader shall have a master's degree in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), Environment Science, Social Science or equivalent. S/he should have relevant skills and exposure in managing Information Technology Projects related to DRRM with experience of 4 years. Having experience of managing projects with similar tools and technologies proposed in this project will be an advantage. 

Responsibilities: The team leader is responsible for overall coordination, communication, planning, management and execution of the project.

Team leader’s responsibility include: 

a.  Communicate and coordinate with NDRRMA, NRCS and the Development Team 

b.  Oversee the development of digital mock up and web interface of VisRisk  

c.  Formulate project plan and timeline as per the ToR and get the work done within the timeline 

d.  Be able to communicate effectively and motivate the team 

e.  Ensure quality of the project 

B. Backend Developer

Backend Developer shall have a bachelor degree in Computer/Software Engineering, Information Technology Computer Science or Equivalent degree and working experience of 6 years in the field of system analyst and backend architecture for software development. S/he should have experience of managing projects with similar tools and technologies proposed in this project. 

Responsibilities: Backend Developer consult with management and help develop the system architecture and database to fit actual needs. He/she must provide accurate and robust system design, as well as conduct testing, locate potential problems, and solve them in an efficient manner. 

C. Frontend Developer 

Frontend Developer shall have a Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, Information Technology or Computer Science degree in IT or equivalent and working experience of 6 years in the field of software development. S/he shall have specific experience as a software programmer in at least three enterprise level applications with technologies Python/Django, Postgres and AngularJS/React JS, Geoserver, caching and queuing technologies. 

Responsibilities: Frontend developer develops VisRisk web interface for five municipalities by studying information needs, conferring with users; studying systems flow, data usage, and work processes; investigating problem areas; following the software development lifecycle. 

D. Data Analyst  

The data analyst shall be with master’s in Statistics, Civil Engineer, Environment Science or equivalent with professional skill of analyzing and interpreting data, having 3 years of experience in data analysis. Experience in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, SQL, R or Python will be preferred. 

Responsibilities: Collecting, cleaning, and interpreting data sets available in various systems and files and make it ready to put into the system.  

E. GIS Analyst 

A bachelor in Geomatics engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology or equivalent, with professional skill of GIS, having 3 years’ experience in the field of GIS implementation. S/he should have prior experience in QGIS/ArcGIS/Geoserver. 

Responsibilities: GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Analysts work at the intersection of data analysis, programming, and cartography. Their primary duties include analyzing spatial data through mapping software and designing digital maps with geographic data and various other data sets. 

F. QA Engineer

The QA engineer shall be with bachelor’s in computer, IT engineering or equivalent with 3 years’ experience in the field of QA. S/he shall have specific experience in design and assist in implementation of QA standards for at least three enterprise level applications. 

Responsibilities: Reviewing quality specifications and technical design documents to provide timely and meaningful feedback. Creating detailed, comprehensive, and well-structured test plans and test cases. Estimating, prioritizing, planning, and coordinating quality testing activities. 

G. Graphical User Interface (GUI) Designer 

The GUI designer shall be with bachelor’s in computer, IT engineering or equivalent with professional skill, of having 3 years of working experience in the field of web application design and development. S/He shall have the sound knowledge of designing tools and should have sound knowledge of front-end development. S/he should have worked in responsive UI designs using Reactjs/Angularjs. Experience in JavaScript visualization libraries like d3.js, high chart, chart.js, plot.ly will be preferred. 

Responsibilities: Gathering and evaluating user requirements, in collaboration with Team leader and Developers. Illustrating design ideas using information radiators such as storyboards, process flows and sitemaps. Designing graphic user interface elements, like menus, tabs, and widgets. 

10  Financial Proposal 

Interested organization should submit a financial proposal in NPR with applicable vat/tax, with detailed breakdown of cost and its related activity. 

11  Required documents

Interested organization should submit the following documents to Ms Aliza Baidya at aliza.baidya@ifrc.org  latest by 17th July 2022: 

• Acknowledgment of ToR. (Please attach the signed copy of these Terms of Reference with your offer)
• Latest tax clearance certificate including VAT if applicable.
• Submit a technical proposal and timeline demonstrating a thorough understanding of this ToR.  
• A technical proposal including financial proposal. 
• Organizational profile (please include the copy of business resgistration and Vat/PAN registration) 
• Team composition and their CV. Only include the ones who will be directly involved in this project. 
• Tentative work plan, including working days for main activities and milestones (e.g., using a Gantt chart).

We thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates/Company will be contacted for the next step in the application process.