CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: DEVELOPMENT OF E-LIBRARY APPLICATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Introduction and Background of the Organisation

The Defenders Coalition is the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, a national organization incorporated in the Republic of Kenya as a Trust. Its mission is to champion the safety, security and wellbeing of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). Established in 2007, Defenders Coalition is the only national organisation that works primarily for the protection of HRDs.

Defenders Coalition Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025 outlines the vision, ambition and strategies for realizing the same. Our vision is a society founded on human rights. Our mission is to champion the safety , security and well-being of human rights defenders.

The Coalition takes a holistic approach in its work geared towards a safe and secure environment for HRDs through an established rapid response mechanism, capacity building and knowledge management structures. To address concerns of HRDs is the core business of the coalition and thus works towards increasing their capacity in safety and security as well as their knowledge in the policy and legal environment within the human rights context as well as inclusion of technology. The Coalition seeks to effectively reposition itself in the rapidly changing environment especially in technology.

Objective of the Assignment

Defenders Coalition seeks to build a reliable repository of information on the management of human rights defenders physical and information security that is accessible online by human rights defenders. The digital resource centre will not only address the capacity needs of HRDs but also individuals wanting to access information on trends on human rights and HRDs rights violations for research and knowledge building.

Various information and training materials will be converted and stored in digital formats at the Defenders Coalition Digital Library. The centralization and digitization of materials and information regarding human rights and the situation of human rights defenders in the country will allow HRDs to acquire knowledge in various relevant subject matters, more so how to manage their security as they conduct their work. The information will also be relevant to advocacy, policy development, academia and service provision actors like lawyers, doctors and counselors.

The overall objective of the assignment is to establish a digital library that will support the Defenders Coalition capacity building strategy in ensuring that information required  by HRDs is well stored in a digital library for quick access and ensuring that the digital security trainings offered by the Coalition are transferred to digital formats that are easily accessible by HRDs everywhere. The platform will also host online digital security training formats and tips on the safe use of digital platforms and tools for Human rights defenders for use by trainers and trainers of trainers (TOTs). The project therefore seeks to capitalize on the growing telephonic and other online connectivity that are turning the country, indeed the globe into one digital village.

Methodology

The design and development of the e-Library App will be conducted by an external consultant who will lead the project team and will work under the supervision and support of the Defenders Coalition’s Head of Partnerships and the Executive Director. The consultant is expected to develop a technical proposal detailing methodology and framework/design of the e-Library App, taking into consideration the local context. The consultant will develop, build and design and maintain e-Library App and handle all the source code and data used. The sample design and proposed development tools will be discussed and approved by the Defenders Coalition team before the commencement of the development of the Application.

The Expected outputs and Outcome

• Design and develop a digital library (e-Library App) both on Android and IOS platforms where

the information needed by HRDs is well stored in a digital library for quick access

Transfer of available information into the platform

• Develop online training platforms and ensure that the digital security trainings offered by the

coalition are transferred to digital formats that are easily accessible by HRDs

 Profile of Consultant(s)

The consultant(s) should have the following qualifications/expertise:

• Master’s degree in information technology management or any other relevant filed
• Minimum five years of experience in Mobile Application Development and information management
• Working experience within multicultural teams and human rights organization or communities and conversant with human rights issues
• App design, coding, backend web service knowledge
• Knowledge in UI & UX
• Strong knowledge in iOS and Android SDK
• Excellent communication skills, oral, written and presentation
• Cross-browser compatibility, web user interface design (UI)
• Prototype software experience for Mobile Developments

Modalities of remuneration

The consultant shall present to the Defenders Coalition both financial and technical proposal for the project. The technical proposal must cover all important aspects of the solution and the financial proposal should cover professional and support cost.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants who meet the job requirements and qualifications and with the right personal attributes are invited to complete and submit the following:

1. A technical proposal detailing the methodology and work plan
2. Financial proposal
3. A brief description of the resource person outlining recent experience in similar assignments (three assignments over past four years)
4. At least three references of similar assignment
5. Sample work that is similar to this assignment

Duration and Reporting

This assignment will be completed within two months and the commencement date is expected to be 6 May 2020. A breakdown of how these days shall be utilised shall be reflected in the schedule of work to be presented to the Defenders Coalition by the consultant.

All applications should be sent to Defenders Coalition info@defenderscoalition.org copied ict@defenderscoalition.org by Thursday, April 30th 2020. Quote “Defenders Coalition e-Library App” in the subject line of your email.

Disclaimer

Defenders Coalition is an equal opportunity employer, committed to ensuring diversity, inclusivity and gender equality within our organization and work. Defenders Coalition, thus will recruit/award the consultancy to the most qualified person /company irrespective of race, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, gender, ethnicity. Only successful candidates will be contacted.