Call for Letter of Interest for Android Developer

Call for Letter of Interest
for
Android Developer

Summary
Position Android Developer (International)
Nature of the assistance Remote
Tentative Duration 15 July 2023 to 30 September 2023 (intermittent).
Deadline for Submission 7 July 2023.
Implementing Agency National Department of Education, FSM
Contact Person TO: Wayne Mendiola (Wayne.Mendiola@national.doe.fm) CC: Miyai Keller (miyai.keller@national.doe.fm)
Questions/Clarifications TO: Weison Weital (Weison.Weital@national.doe.fm)
Background

In order to improve Education Management Information System (EMIS) a joint-project[1] was launched in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in FY 2016/17. Through this joint project, an integrated system has been set-up by developing a platform for EMIS, equipping National Department of Education (NDOE) and State Department of Education (SDOE) with appropriate hardware and software upgrades, and has already digitized most of the historical data that were available in different formats and at the different State departments. Moreover, through the joint initiatives, capacity of school principals and data managers at SDOE has been built by giving them a thorough orientation on data management and hands on training to the data managers about the integrated platform called FedEMIS.

FedEMIS has laid down a platform that can cater basic data requirements at the national and State Department of Education. However, the needs in each State Departments vary to some extent and hence the need to incorporate them in the FedEMIS is crucial. While FedEMIS has been initially designed largely to addresses national interests and requirements[2], there has been requests for specific data requirement from SDOEs to be included in the EMIS. Similarly, teacher credentials, their age and retirement time is on high demand for planning their replacements in time. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related data has also become necessary to be included in the regular FedEMIS. 

Meanwhile, FSM has recently made an agreement with the Asian Development Bank for the implementation of a six-year long project which broadly aims to Improving Quality of Basic Education (IQBE) in the FSM. The primary outcome of the IQBE is to improving student’s learning achievement in reading to 50%, from its baseline, by 2023. This will require regular collection and reporting on student performance data. Similarly, FSM as a signatory to Sustainable Development Goal has commit to achieve SDG targets by 2030.

In view of all of these and also considering the nature and complexity involved in the development of an efficient EMIS, NDOE drafted a five-year master plan for EMIS for the FSM approximately five years ago. The Master plan was mostly completed with great success and the project is now transitioning into a more perpetual phase of maintenance and evolving needs, in particular with special attention to improving the data management at the state and school level of the FSM.

Hence, the NDOE intends to solicit Letter of Interest (LOI) from qualified and competent individuals to provide technical assistance to provide support in refining and consolidating the FedEMIS by developing a robust system that is capable of managing State and school level needs as well as making it a one integrated system.

Objective

The objective of this solicitation is to provide continued assistance to NDOE to support the transition of the FedEMIS Education Survey Tool (android tablet app) into its maintenance mode. While new features may be desired in the future on a needs basis. This part of the project is near what the team originally set out to do and thus the primary objective is to begin a smooth transition to a maintenance phase.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be required to be proficient in achieving the following tasks:

In Pacific Open Education Data app

 

In the Pacific EMIS (FedEMIS) Education Survey Tool Android app

Outcome
  • A new improved version of the Pacific Open Education data Android and iPhone app that will contain the latest features and fixes published into the Google Play Store.
  • A new improved version of the FedEMIS Education Survey Tool containing all latest features and fixes.
Budget and Timeframe

Timeframe is tentatively between 15 July 2023 to 30 September 2023. Consultant should total costing for completion works and estimated schedule of intermittent work.

All of the work can be done remotely.

Selection Method

Due to the nature of the work this is not allocated to the lowest bidder but the overall most qualified one based on a number of internal criteria. Should there be more than one bidder with the same score the lower bid will then win.

Reports To

Consultant reports to the National Department of Education (NDOE) technical team. Consultant must confirm with the NDOE team before proceeding with any of the work as the team will define priorities based on the needs on the grounds here in the FSM and its states.

Required experience

A minimum of 10 years of experience in the following technologies:

  • Android/iPhone app development
  • Android user interfaces using the material design framework
  • The Java programming language including related compiling, build tools, IDEs, etc. Especially in the context of Android apps.
  • Flutter framework and Dart programming language.
  • The Swift or Objective C programming languages including related compiling, build tools, IDEs, etc. especially in the context of iPhone/iPad apps
  • Working with data interchange formats including JSON and XML
  • Working with cloud providers
  • Excellent English communication skills
Desirable experience
  • Education data and Statistics
  • Work in developing countries, small Pacific Island nation more specifically
  • Know the Pacific EMIS and Pacific Open Education Data projects very well
Submission of Letter of Interest (LOI)

NDOE encourages submission of Letter of Interest (LOI) from qualified and competent individuals that meet all requirements. Submit your LOI including the following:

  • detailed CV of the primary developer;
  • list of similar projects undertaken with screenshots;
  • proposed rough plan of activities with schedule;
  • expected daily rates;

to the National Department of Education no later than 7 July 2023 to the contact person at the top of this document.

[1] Technical Assistance was received from the US government under the Supplementary Education Grant (SEG) and ADB’s regional grants for National Educational Planning and Management (NEPM).

[2] JEMCO recommended 21 education indicators to be covered by the FedEMIS, however, it was not possible at this stage to include all 21 indicators. Hence, FACSSO agreed to go ahead with the indicators that are possible in terms of its cost and feasibility.