Call for Consultancy - Azure Architect at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Terms of reference - Azure Architect 
Type of Contract 

• Framework Agreement 

Duration 

• 1 Year 

     
Objectives: 

• Provide expertise in designing and architecting Azure-based solutions. 
• Assess the organization's requirements and develop a comprehensive Azure architecture plan. 
• Design and implement Azure infrastructure, including virtual networks, storage accounts, and virtual machines. 
• Configure and optimize Azure services, such as Azure Active Directory, Azure App Service, and Azure SQL Database. 
• Implement security measures and best practices for Azure resources. 
• Collaborate with other teams to ensure seamless integration of Azure services with existing IT infrastructure. 
• Provide guidance and support for migration of on-premise resources to Azure. 
• Implement backup and disaster recovery strategies for Azure-based systems. 

     
Consultant profile requirements 

• Azure Expertise: Extensive experience in designing and architecting solutions on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. In-depth knowledge of Azure services, including compute, storage, networking, databases, and security. 
• Solution Design and Architecture: Proven ability to design and architect scalable, secure, and high-performing solutions on Azure. Experience in translating business requirements into well-architected cloud solutions, considering factors such as availability, scalability, and cost optimization. 
• Azure Services and Technologies: Strong understanding of various Azure services and technologies, including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure App Service, Azure Functions, Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Active Directory, Azure Security Center, and Azure Networking. 
• Cloud Migration and Hybrid Integration: Experience in planning and executing cloud migration projects, including assessing on-premises workloads for migration to Azure. Knowledge of hybrid integration strategies and technologies, such as Azure Hybrid Connections, Azure ExpressRoute, or Azure VPN Gateway. 
• Security and Compliance: Strong understanding of Azure security principles and best practices. Familiarity with Azure security services, such as Azure Active Directory Identity Protection, Azure Key Vault, Azure Security Center, and Azure Sentinel. Knowledge of industry compliance standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. 
• Cloud Cost Optimization: Knowledge of cost optimization strategies and tools on Azure. 
• DevOps and CI/CD: Understanding of DevOps principles and experience in implementing CI/CD pipelines on Azure. Familiarity with tools such as Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or Jenkins for continuous integration, delivery, and deployment. 
• Troubleshooting and Performance Optimization: Proficiency in troubleshooting Azure-related issues, identifying performance bottlenecks, and implementing optimizations.  
• Communication and Collaboration: Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with stakeholders, gather requirements, and present architectural designs and recommendations. Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and provide guidance to developers and administrators. 
• Certifications: Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert, or Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate demonstrate a strong foundation in Azure architecture and expertise. 
• A minimum of 3 organizations worked for with proof indicating the sectors (attach contracts first page and the signature page 
• Proof of Tax Compliance 

 
3.0 Proposal Format 
The proposal should include the following information: 

• Executive Summary: A brief summary of your proposal demonstrating a clear understanding of the scope of work and how the consultant intends to meet the deliverables with timelines. 
• Consultant profile & certificates – experience details should be sufficiently provided including reference letters where possible. MSF EA shall conduct a due diligence on all the information provided. 
• Consultant Rate Card 

4.0 Evaluation of Proposal and Evaluation Criteria  
Responses will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

Criteria 
Score(%)

• Suitability of the consultant profile requirements     40%
• Experience in Similar Assignments     40%
• Rate Card    20%

5.0 Terms and Conditions  

• This document contains proprietary and confidential information. Recipients may use or reproduce the information detailed within this document and any other supporting information only to provide a response to this RFP. No commitment will be made to any agency/consultant unless a contract has been awarded and signed by both parties. We reserve the right to cease this exercise at any time. During the period of this activity, no contact should occur between any members of the supplier's staff and organizational staff in relation to this exercise other than through the designated contact points as detailed within this RFP    

6.0 Ethics  

• Applicants are required to observe our procurement ethical code of conduct which includes but is not limited to observing the highest standard of ethics regarding corruption, collusion, conflict of interest and fraud. If the agency does not observe confidentiality or ethical practices, they shall be disqualified from any future work. 

7.0 Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality  

• The information contained within this document or subsequently made available to the consultant is deemed confidential and must not be disclosed without the prior written consent unless required by law. 

8.0 Independent Proposal 

• By submitting a financial proposal, the consultant warrants that the prices in the proposal have been arrived at independently, without consultation, communication, agreement or understanding for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such prices, with any other potential consultant or with any competitor. 

9.0 Proposal Submission Process  

• It should be noted that this document relates to RFP only and not a firm commitment to enter into a contractual agreement. In addition, MSF EA will not be held responsible for any costs associated with the production of a response to this RFP 

Submission of the Proposal 

• The proposal should be no more than 15 pages in length, including all appendices and attachments. 
• The proposal should be submitted to procurement@nairobi.msf.org  on or before 18th July 2023 at 1700hrs (East African Time) and marked as follows on the subject line: 

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY-AZURE ARCHITECT
All quotes should be in USD