Background

DRC and the Investment and Diaspora Bureau under the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia have entered a partnership aiming at attracting additional diaspora business engagement to the region under the assumption that this will enhance the economic activity and create new jobs and employment opportunities in the region.

In an assessment conducted by DRC with diaspora businesspeople earlier this year, clear and accessible information was identified as an essential precondition for diaspora businesspeople in their countries of residence to decide if and how they could engage in the region. DRC is currently in process of collecting the information needed for diaspora businesspeople to engage in the region.

At the same time the Investment and Diaspora Bureau is in process of finalizing their strategy for how to productively engage with, and reach out to, the diaspora in countries of residence. The mandate of the IDB is broader than just to attract diaspora businesspeople, it also aims to engage with diaspora on several other topics as defined in IDBs draft strategy.

The primary tool for the IDB to reach out to the members of the diaspora from the Somali Region will be a website displaying key information on the situation in the region and how to engage. The website will be accompanied by communication through social media – including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.

In addition, the assessment conducted by DRC also pointed to the need for IDB to digitalize its internal filing and information systems to better able to provide its’ services towards diaspora and other stakeholders.

DRC is committed to supporting the IDB establish an effective website, social media communication, and an internal information management system.

Objectives of the consultancy

The consultancy has four objectives:

Development of a new website for Investment and Diaspora Bureau

• In close collaboration with the Investment and Diaspora Bureau under the regional government the consultant should develop and launch a new website for the bureau to better reach out to – and engage with - the diaspora from the region.

Establish social media communication platforms for Investment and Diaspora Bureau

• The consultant should establish the framework for IDB’s communication on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.) for dedicated IDB staff to run and for diaspora to use. This should be done in close consultation with IDB.

 Establish an internal information management system

• Finally, the consultant should develop and establish the internal information management system based on an analysis of the tasks and needs of the IDB.

Support to Investment and Diaspora to operate the systems.

• Together with the IDB the consultant should analyze and define the staffing needs to effectively operate the above systems.
• Deliver the training needed to the staff allocated to operate the systems.

Consultancy duties and responsibilities

• To deliver on the above objectives the consultancy should:

Objective 1, Develop of a new website for the Investment and Diaspora Bureau:

In line with the strategy for the Investment and Diaspora Bureau, the website should be designed to reflect identity with the federal website (https://www.ethiopiandiasporaagency.org/home). At the same time, it should present all intervention areas of the IDB, as agreed with the IDB on the basis of its’ draft strategy. The consultant is expected to ensure technical coordination with the federal website.

The website should encourage interaction with members of the diaspora (including Q and A functions) and be highly user-friendly.

While this consultancy is to develop and establish the entire website for the Investment and Diaspora Bureau, the part of the website which is around Diaspora Business Engagement should also be populated. DRC has commissioned another consultancy to produce a “Diaspora Business Engagement Information Package”. The consultant producing the “Diaspora Business Engagement Information Package” should be guided by the website consultant to present the information in a way that can easily be uploaded to the IDB website.

Finally, it is the obligation of the consultant to register the domain name and ensure a five year subscription. The website should be hosted in the cloud and should have enough capacity to upload videos etc. Any additional technical decisions should be taken in consultation with both DRC and IDB.

Objective 2, Establish Social Media Platforms for the Investment and Diaspora Bureau.

As part of the strengthened communication and outreach from the Investment and Diaspora Bureau, social media communication should also be used to reach out to diaspora with upcoming events, and report on the most recent events and activities as well as feedback from the diaspora members. Through discussions with IDB and diaspora users the consultant will thus set up the initial groups/ accounts for this communication.

Objective 3. Establish an internal information management system

The Investment and Diaspora Bureau handles a range of different data, including registration of diaspora businesses, contacts to diaspora associations abroad, different types of documents, descriptions of processes etc. These data are currently filed in different ways, meaning that it is not always accessible when needed.

Through discussions with the Investment and Diaspora Bureau the consultant should define the needs for the internal information management system. These needs, and the proposed outline (and budget) for an internal information management system should be described in a brief document and presented to both Investment and Diaspora Bureau and DRC management for approval. Upon approval from both parties the information management system should be developed and activated.

Objective 4. Support to Investment and Diaspora Bureau to operate the systems.

Together with the IDB the consultant should define the staffing needs to operate the above systems.

Deliver the training needed to the staff dedicated to operating the systems.

Upon finalization of the training the consultant is expected to follow the roll out of the systems and provide any support needed by the Investment and Diaspora Bureau.

 Deliverables by the consultancy

To deliver on the above activities the consultant should consult closely with the Investment and Diaspora Bureau in Jijiga to ensure that the products delivered are in line with the wishes of the Bureau and can be sustained by the Bureau.

Website:

1. Research and analysis
2. Method and web development plan
3. Web design - Sitemap and Wireframe Creation
4. Visual brand & features development
5. Content integration and tests
6. Launch and deployment

Social media outreach

1. Research and analysis
2. Visual brand & features development
3. Content integration and tests
4. Launch and deployment

Information Management System

1. Research and analysis
2. Design
3. Content development and tests
4. Launch and deployment

Support to operate the systems

1. Research and analysis
2. Staffing and training plan
3. Carry out the training
4. Monitor the implementation of the systems and provide support when needed 

The contract for the consultancy services is expected to run and provide support from January 2021 – October 2021, with possibility of extension until February 2022.

Job Requirements

The consultant should have the following expertise and skills:

• Proven experience in developing and creating websites and database with capability to design and implement form and function for a specific purpose (beyond technical programming/coding expertise)
• Excellent programming skills in multiple web coding languages, such as HTML, CSS, and Java
• Excellent graphic design skills
• Excellent computer skills –strong computer skills and know-how to work with various types of software, particularly content management software, Skype, Photoshop, and similar programs
• Good verbal and written Communication in English and Somali language
• Strong customer service skills
• Good time management skills
• Attention to detail 

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit technical & financial proposal in response to the TOR of reference, including:

• Updated CV for web developers and web designers;
• A technical proposal (no more than 12 pages) that covers:
• The consultant’s suitability for the assignment with reference to the technical requirements below.
• Suggested process, approach and methodology
• Financial proposal-budget covering daily consulting fees in ETB
• A statement of availability for the duration of the assignment
• One or more work sample (s) of similar assignments; and
• Completed DRC Supplier Profile Registration Form

Interested & eligible consultants can request the tender dossier and tender instructions by email; Hassan.yusuf@drc.ngo during working hours between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday starting from December 31 to January 15^th, 2021.

 Consultants are expected to send their proposal in a separate two emails (technical proposal including company profile & business licenses and the financial offers), both bearing the relevant reference number RFQ-ETH-JIJ-006815 via this email address dedicated for this purpose: RFQ.ETH@drc.ngo before Jan 15, 2020, 10:00am (East Africa Time)Line Item Time, date, address as appropriate

1. RFQ published December 31, 2020
2. Closing date for clarifications & tender document January 15, 2020
3. Closing date and time for receipt of RFQ January 15, 2020, 10:00am (East Africa Time)
4. RFQ Opening Location Danish Refugee Council, Jigjiga, Harar kela road, Kebele 20, House No. ----, In front of Somali Region TV(SRTV) and Po.Box- 554
5. RFQ Opening Date and time 19^th Jan, 2021, 10:00am (East Africa Time)