Development of Integrated M&E Data Management and Visualization System

**Wildlife Conservation Society** Term of Reference Development of Integrated M&E Data Management and Visualization System **Background** The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places around the world. WCS runs four zoos and an aquarium in New York and has global conservation programs in more than 50 countries. WCS uses science to discover and understand the natural world. This knowledge helps us engage and inspire decision-makers, communities, and millions of supporters to take action with us to protect the wildlife and wild places we all care about. In Africa, WCS operates in 13 counties and 15 protected or conserved areas. WCS Global Conservation Programs generate thus a large volume of heterogeneous data, including financial and human resources records, law enforcement and wildlife protection data, wildlife survey and ecological monitoring data, socio-economic surveys data, and spatial datasets. WCS Africa Hub requires a robust, centralized, and automated system to manage its data for Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) purposes. Current processes rely on fragmented data sources, necessitating a unified platform that can translate raw data into actionable insights for performance and impact tracking. **Objective of the consultancy** The primary objective of this consultancy is to design, develop, and deploy across WCS landscapes in Africa an integrated data management and visualization system. This system will streamline the lifecycle of data—from ingestion and validation to spatial and statistical visualization. **Scope of Work** In strict collaboration with the Regional Technical Directors and other technical leads, the consultant will be responsible for the following key functional areas: ***A. Data Collation & Integration*** - **Multi-Source Ingestion:** Build connectors for spreadsheet-based data (Excel, CSV, Google Sheets), including developing application programming interfaces (API) depending on data source locations. - **Geospatial Integration:** Ensure the system can ingest and process GIS files (Esri Shapefile, GeoJSON, GPX, GeoTIFF, etc.) to map impact, including processes for automated updated versions of key datasets as they are released (e.g.forest loss form Global Forest Watch). - **Centralized Repository:** Establish a structured database to house historical and real-time MEL indicators and associated information. To maintain data integrity and institutional memory, the system must be governed by a rigorous data governance framework that incorporates standardized metadata (defining data lineage and ownership), a comprehensive indicator dictionary (providing clear definitions, calculation formulas, and units of measure), and robust version control to track all modifications to datasets and system configurations over time. - **Offline Functionality:** The system must include features for offline data entry and local caching to ensure full functionality in low-bandwidth areas or sites with no internet connectivity, with automated synchronization once a connection is re-established. ***B. Validation & Processing*** - **Automated Quality Checks:** Implement scripts for data cleaning, identifying outliers, and ensuring consistency across reporting periods. - **Transformation Logic:** Create workflows to process raw inputs into standardized performance and impact indicators, including geospatial processing. ***C. Dynamic Visualization & Dashboarding*** - **Interactive Dashboards:** Develop a user-friendly interface featuring charts, heatmaps, and trend lines. - **Custom Aggregation:** Users must be able to filter and aggregate data dynamically by: - **Variables:** Region, sector, demographic, project identity/ type, etc. Disaggregation variables are defined for each indicator. - **Timeframes:** Monthly, quarterly, annual, or custom ranges. - **Spatial Visualization:** Integrated maps that overlay MEL data onto geographic layers. **Phased approach** The work will be structured around a phased approach. The first phase will focus on developing and implementing the system architecture and processes required for site-specific M&E, with the aim of directly supporting adaptive management at the site level. The second phase will integrate thematic indicators across relevant programmatic areas, while the third phase will incorporate high-level, regional and Africa-wide indicators to enable regional aggregation, performance monitoring, and strategic decision-making. **Technical Requirements** The proposed system must adhere to the following: - **Scalability:** Ability to handle increasing data volumes and new sites over time. - **Interoperability:** Compatible with existing organizational software and databases. - **Security:** Role-based access control to protect sensitive MEL data. - **User Autonomy:** The system should allow non-technical staff to generate basic reports without coding. - **Accountability and transparency:** The system must maintain a clear and navigable traceability chain (audit trail) that allows users to drill down from high-level dashboard indicators directly to the specific raw datasets and the document folders containing the original means of verification (MoV; e.g., reports, photos, participant lists, etc.). **Deliverables** - **Inception Phase:** - Deliverable: Technical Design Document - Description: System architecture, data flow diagrams (including offline sync logic), and UI/UX wireframes. - **Development Phase:** - Deliverable: Beta Version (Prototype) - Description: Functional system with core data ingestion capabilities and basic dashboarding. - **Testing Phase:** - Deliverable: Validation Report detailing - Description: Results of UAT (User Acceptance Testing), including connectivity stress tests and bug fixes. - **Deployment Phase:** - Deliverable: Final System & Manuals - Description: Full rollout, including source code, admin manuals, and user guides. - **Training Phase:** - Deliverable: Capacity building - Description: Training sessions for MEL staff and system administrators **Consultant Qualifications and Experience** The consultant should meet the following minimum requirements: - Advanced degree in Information Systems, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field. - At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in data architecture and systems design. - Proven track record in developing M&E systems specifically for international development or conservation organizations with impact tracking. - Demonstrated experience in GIS integration and advanced data modeling from flat files (Excel/CSV). - Evidence of ability to create dynamic, interactive dashboards with multi-variable filtering and time-series analyses for business intelligence. - Strong communication skills and ability to translate technical concepts into practical guidance. **Application and Selection Criteria** Interested candidates are requested to submit: - A technical proposal outlining understanding of the assignment and proposed approach, including relevant examples of similar assignments (80%) - A financial proposal (20%) - Qualifications and CVs of key personnel (Lead Architect, GIS Specialist, and Data Analyst). A detailed workplan, timeline, and deliverable schedule will be agreed at contract inception. WCS reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal and is not bound to select the lowest-cost offer.