Software Development Consultancy, Nairobi

Software Development Consultancy, NairobiClosing Date: Monday, 16 April 2012

Software Development Consultancy

A 2-month Consultancy Assignment For design and development of a GSM Modem based SMS Gateway Nairobi, Kenya, April 2012

Background The prevailing situation in Somalia make humanitarian access to conflict affected communities difficult, and a critical challenge at times of acute crisis such as cholera outbreaks. Humanitarian space' in which aid in Somalia can safely be delivered is limited due to insecurity and bureaucratic impediments which restrict the movement of humanitarian agencies and impact on their capacity to manage and monitor the delivery and impact of aid.

In October 2011 Oxfam GB completed a feasibility study in Mogadishu on the viability of using mobile phones to implement public health promotion in the insecure areas of the city. According to the findings phone usage amongst 400 IDP households is 55%. A further 43% of households who do not own a phone are able to share their neighbour's. Over 75% of the respondents indicated interest in using mobile phones for communicating about health related issues and 91% said they preferred an interactive communication medium. The most preferred means of communicating health information on phones as identified by participants in the study was through interactive short stories (67%), songs (22%) and poems (11%) The positive results of the feasibility study suggest that an interactive mobile phone application could be used to engage and educate communities in preventive public health in Mogadishu.

It is on this premise that Oxfam GB is seeking consultancy services to develop a GSM modem based SMS gateway that will act as independent messaging centre. This consultancy has design, development and field support dimensions.

Programme Area and Specific Project Involved: Somalia Programme - Mogadishu Roles and responsibilities Role of Oxfam

Guidance and support throughout the software development.Give support on structural design of the platformApproval of all stages of software development including scope document and final sign offsProvide all the required hard ware and meet all operational needs in Mogadishu. This includes a community mobilization component

Roles of the consultant

Based on the Terms of Reference, prepare a detailed work plan for the platform developmentUndertake stepwise development of the platform in consultation with the project managerEnsure that all developed soft wares meet all the relevant interoperability standardsDesign and set up relevant hardwares in Mogadishu. Installation will be done through remote support.Design and undertake test runs – including field trials. The field trials shall be undertaken through remote support

Activities and Deliverables/End Product(s)

Planning – shall involve technical requirement analysis to determine the cope/capabilities of the software requiredImplementation – shall involve actual design and programmingTesting – shall form an integral part of the development process to ensure that defects are recognized as soon as possible.Documentation – shall be undertaken throughout the process of development for the purpose of future maintenance and enhancement
Deployment – shall start after the code is appropriately tested, and approved for release. Involves setting up a physical messaging centre in Mogadishu through remote support. Ultimately this should result to a universally deployable software code that can be used to set a messaging centre in other countries/contextsMaintenance – 1 month remote support and maintenance during the pilot phase. This will involve trouble shooting and responding to software and hardware performance related queries from the field.Service hosting for 6 months – during the field trial period

Estimated Duration of Assignment: 3 weeks for platform development and 1 month for maintenance support.
Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge /Experience Required

University qualification in IT with specialization in software developmentDemonstrated experience developing SMS based and other mobile phone based public health applications – this includes proof of at least one application working in the field.Demonstrated experience working with SMS gateways APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)Experience in development of dynamic content driven enterprise web applications.Experience in development of flexible and highly scalable J2EE applicationsA professional command of English, both oral and written; good report-writing

Interested applicants should develop a one page concept detailing how such a messaging centre would look like – this includes all the interfaces and how they interoperate with each other. The one page concept and a CV should be sent to hecajobs@oxfam.org.uk, not later than close of business on Monday, 16 April 2012.

Please include, "Design and development of GSM modem based SMS Gateway" in the subject line of your e-mail. Thanks in advance for all interested parties; however, we shall contact only those, who will be short-listed.

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