Job Description

Terms of Reference (TOR) for ODK Consultant for Election Observation Mission.

Position: ODK Consultant for Election Observation Data management.
Location: Somaliland
Duration:  two months.
Reporting to: Executive Director, Somaliland Non-state Actors Forum (SONSAF)
Starting Date: 02.010.2024
Application Deadline: 08.10.2024

1. Background

The Somaliland Non-state Actors Forum (SONSAF) has played a pivotal role in promoting democratization and facilitating free, credible, fair, and transparent electoral processes in Somaliland. As a leading civil society platform, SONSAF is deeply committed to strengthening Somaliland’s democratic institutions, ensuring inclusive participation, and fostering accountable governance.

 Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF) is seeking an experienced ODK Consultant to support the data collection process for an upcoming election observation mission. As part of the mission, SONSAF aims to gather, analyze, and report on data from field observers to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. The consultant will play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and managing the ODK platform for effective data collection during the election observation process.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The primary objective of the assignment is to develop and implement an ODK-based data collection system that allows SONSAF’s election observers to gather accurate and timely information during the election observation mission. The consultant will ensure that the data collection process is efficient, secure, and aligned with the mission’s objectives.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• ODK Form Design and Development:
• Design and develop user-friendly ODK forms tailored to the specific needs of the election observation mission.
• Ensure the forms are structured to capture key election observation data points (e.g., voter turnout, polling station conditions, compliance with electoral laws).
• Test and validate the ODK forms before deployment to ensure data integrity.
• Training and Support for Election Observers:
• Provide training to SONSAF’s election observers on the use of ODK tools, including form completion and data submission.
• Offer technical guidance and best practices for mobile data collection in an election context.
• Ensure observers are fully equipped to troubleshoot common challenges in the field.
• Real-time Monitoring and Troubleshooting:
• Provide on-the-ground or remote support during the election observation mission to ensure smooth data collection.
• Monitor incoming data in real-time and address any technical issues faced by observers.
• Data Quality Control:
• Ensure the data collected is accurate, complete, and securely transmitted to the central server.
• Perform quality checks on the data and provide feedback to field observers to improve the accuracy of reporting.
• Data Management and Analysis:
• Assist SONSAF in managing the collected data, ensuring it is properly cleaned and stored for analysis.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on preliminary data trends.
•  Familiar with  programming language widely used for data analysis, statistics, graphical representation and  packages in R for data analysis:

4. Deliverables

• Custom ODK forms designed, tested, and ready for deployment.
• Training materials and sessions for SONSAF’s election observers.
• Continuous technical support throughout the election observation mission.
• Cleaned and validated datasets, ready for analysis and reporting.
• Final consultancy report, summarizing the data collection process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and key recommendations for future missions.

5. Duration of Assignment

The consultancy is expected to last for two months, covering the pre-election preparation, election day, and post-election data management. The consultant should be available throughout the election observation mission to provide both in-field and remote support.

Experiences and Qualifications

• Post graduate holder of statistics and research, Software Programing or any other relevant fields
• Proven experience with ODK (Open Data Kit) systems, especially for election or large-scale observation missions.
• Expertise in designing and deploying ODK forms for mobile data collection and software tools.
• Experience in training field teams on ODK-based data collection tools.
• Strong understanding of data quality assurance and data management processes.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and provide timely technical support in a fast-paced environment.
• Previous experience in Somaliland or similar contexts, particularly in election observation or governance projects, is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is required;

7. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report directly to the Executive Director of SONSAF and Program coordinator  and collaborate closely with the election observation team to ensure that all data collection activities align with the mission’s objectives and timelines.

Skills Required

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