Creation of a platform as a repository of analysis models (tool kit) at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Job Description

ICRAF currently has three tools for agroforestry plantation analysis and evaluation implemented as Excel sheets and a database in Access format for basic statistical information:

• Economic evaluation.
• Carbon offsetting assessment.
• Diagnostic and design of new agroforestry systems.

The consultant is required to develop a web application that allows the following functionalities:

User and role management

This module should allow the creation of users, authenticate the user within the platform, change the password and assign a role to each user. Together with ICRAF, the possible roles must be defined and at least the following must be considered:

• Administrator
• ICRAF Technicians
• Authenticated user
• Anonymous user

Information storage 

• This module should allow the various models/tools to be stored and catalogued in the form of an Excel template. Each tool can have several versions and each version will have several instances completed by authenticated users.
• The tasks of adding, modifying, and archiving models will be executed by the administrator. Each of these operations will be carried out incorporating a series of metadata to be defined such as model date, objectives, links to documentation, among others.
• The tasks of adding, modifying, and archiving versions of the models will be executed by ICRAF technicians with a series of metadata to be defined must also be incorporated.
• The consultant must also be able to add and/or update the records of the basic statistical information database. This database serves all the tools and technicians must be able to import records from Excel or CSV files. The system will provide a method of creating templates of such files to facilitate their completion.

Template filling 

This module is accessible by the authenticated user. The functionalities are:

• Fill in a new model online.
• Download a new model to fill in on a desktop computer.
• Upload a file that has already been filled in.
• List the completed forms
• Edit an already completed model
• Print results

Statistical module

This module will be accessible by ICRAF technicians and with it they will be able to visualize statistics, graphs, and indicators as aggregates of all the models filled in. During the design phase of the application, an initial set will be defined, but the platform must be able to allow technicians to add more statistical elements.

General information module

This module will be publicly accessible and will communicate information of general interest related to the project and the models.

It is important to note that the design of the platform should be adjusted to the various screen sizes (mobile, tablet and desktop). The platform should be multi-language (Spanish, Portuguese, English) with the system administrator being able to modify the various labels and texts in a simple way.

The consultant is required to provide a training to ICRAF technical staff, which includes and is based on the use of administrator and user manuals, also part of the consultant products. Note that the administrator should be able to modify the macros and validations performed and the manuals shall provide guidance on these aspects too. This training will be the opportunity to test the platform and the manuals and generate feedbacks to incorporate before finalizing the products.

Given the complexity of the tasks, the consultant will have to hold continuous meetings with ICRAF technicians to fine-tune each of the input parameters, calculation elements and result indicators.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in systems engineering or similar.
• Demonstrable ability to manage and work together with other members (e.g., product owners, back-end engineers, etc.) 
• Understanding of the back-end basics
• Master JavaScript frameworks, HTML and CSS and have a strong understanding of tech stacks including API for a proper integration.
• Ability to use a version control software (e.g., Github)
• Ability to create a responsive design. 
• Being able to perform testing and debugging.
• Ability to manage REST (Representational State Transfer), APIs and web services to communicate with the back-end architecture.
• Strong search engine optimization skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills including ability to collaborate and an overall good work ethic and positive attitude.

Closing date: 22 April 2022