Terms of Reference: GIS Expert for Saadaal Early Warning System

Terms of Reference:  GIS Expert for Saadaal Early Warning System

Project Title: Saadaal Early Warning System

Project Location: Somalia

Project Duration: Unspecified

Date Issued: 3rd November 2024

Background
Shaqodoon Organization is a non-profit committed to economic empowerment and community development in Somalia. Our mission is to alleviate poverty and foster sustainable livelihoods through programs in entrepreneurship support, vocational training, and job creation. To further our efforts, we are finalizing the development of the Saadal Early Warning System (SEWS). To enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of SEWS, we require an expert climatology consultant to improve data reporting and ensure that the system provides accurate alerts based on reliable climate data, particularly for the Southwest State of Somalia.

Objectives
The primary objective of this consultancy is to provide expert GIS support for enhancing the spatial accuracy of data in the Saadaal Early Warning System. This includes ensuring that geographical data collection methods are accurate, relevant spatial indicators are appropriately integrated, and system outputs provide precise alerts and warnings based on geographic factors for the Southwest State.

Scope of Work
1. Data Validation and Mapping

·         Objective: Improve data accuracy and diversity to enhance system reliability.

·         Tasks:

o   Shapefile Validation and Provision: Validate and update existing shapefiles (rivers, infrastructure, population) to ensure they meet current system standards.

o   Spatial Data Integration: Integrate additional spatial datasets, such as population density and infrastructure locations, to support enhanced situational analysis.

o   Quality Control and Flagging: Implement flagging techniques to improve the reliability of data layers by identifying discrepancies across datasets.

2. System Development Support

·         Objective: Resolve geospatial integration issues as part of the system’s upgrade.

·         Tasks:

o   Collaboration with Development Team: Work closely with developers to resolve geospatial data integration challenges, focusing on data consistency, API configurations, and data-sharing protocols.

o   Data Source Optimization: Strengthen existing connections to data sources like SWALIM, ensuring continuous access to critical spatial datasets.

3. System Enhancement and Optimization

·         Objective: Optimize system components to improve mapping accuracy and system resilience.

·         Tasks:

o   Assessment of Existing Tools: Identify limitations in the current mapping setup, such as river station data gaps or internet dependency, and recommend improvements like offline capabilities.

o   Geographic Accuracy Enhancements: Propose updates, such as incorporating high-resolution satellite imagery, to improve the system's geographic precision.

4. Architecture Consultation

·         Objective: Provide expert advice on architecture adjustments from a GIS perspective.

·         Tasks:

o   System Architecture Review: Assess the current system architecture and recommend upgrades for better GIS data integration.

o   Spatial Database Optimization: Advise on enhanced spatial database structures and indexing to improve data access and performance.

o   Storage and Retrieval Guidance: Provide insights on spatial data storage and retrieval to optimize data flow and system responsiveness.

5. Standards and Specifications

·         Objective: Establish updated standards for data consistency and quality within the upgraded system.

·         Tasks:

o   Geospatial Data Standards: Define updated data standards and formats to align with system upgrades.

o   Coordinate Systems and Projections: Ensure consistency in coordinate systems and projections to maintain data integrity.

o   Quality Control Protocols: Establish quality control parameters to ensure spatial data meets enhanced accuracy and reliability requirements.

6. Technology Stack Advisory

·         Objective: Recommend technology upgrades that support the system's enhanced GIS capabilities.

·         Tasks:

o   Library and Framework Selection: Suggest suitable GIS libraries and frameworks for the upgrade.

o   Spatial Database Options: Advise on spatial database upgrades (e.g., PostGIS, SQL Server Spatial) for better data handling.

o   Visualization and Mapping Libraries: Guide the selection of advanced mapping APIs and visualization libraries to support interactive, user-friendly mapping features.

7. Visualization and Mapping

·         Objective: Upgrade GIS visualization capabilities to make risk data more accessible and actionable.

·         Tasks:

o   Interactive Mapping: Develop interactive maps with enhanced layers (e.g., population, infrastructure) to improve usability.

o   Additional Layers: Add new layers such as urban boundaries, infrastructure, and updated population data to provide users with more context.

8. Workshop Participation and Knowledge Transfer

·         Objective: Ensure smooth adoption of upgrades and strengthen GIS knowledge among stakeholders.

·         Tasks:

o   Workshop Support: Participate in upcoming design workshop to collaborate on system upgrades and provide GIS integration insights.

o   Training and Documentation: Offer training and create documentation on data validation, mapping practices, and upgraded system features for team members and key stakeholders.

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Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals to [email protected], which should include the following:

• Technical Approach: A detailed explanation of the proposed approach for enhancing a basic early warning system. This should outline the methodology for achieving each objective, including how you will address data acquisition, system integration, and accuracy improvements.
• Experience: Case studies or examples of relevant work, particularly in climatology, early warning systems, and integration of environmental data into digital platforms. Emphasis on experience working with data sources such as SWALIM, ICPAC, and similar entities is encouraged.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Technical Merit: The soundness and feasibility of the proposed approach, particularly in relation to climate data accuracy, system optimization, and integration with relevant datasets.
• Experience: Relevant experience in climatology, environmental data analysis, and integration with early warning systems. Experience working with organizations like SWALIM and ICPAC is highly valued.