DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance is dedicated to improving the security of states and their people within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and gender equality. Since its founding in 2000, DCAF has contributed to making peace and development more sustainable by assisting partner states, and international actors supporting these states, to improve the governance of their security sector through inclusive and participatory reforms. It creates innovative knowledge products, promotes norms and good practices, provides legal and policy advice and supports capacity‐building of both state and non‐state security sector stakeholders.

DCAF’s Foundation Council members represent over 50 countries and the Canton of Geneva. Active in over 70 countries, DCAF is internationally recognized as one of the world's leading centres of excellence for security sector governance (SSG) and security sector reform (SSR). DCAF is guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, local ownership, inclusive participation, and gender equality. For more information visit www.dcaf.ch and follow us on Twitter @DCAF_Geneva.

For our Sub-Saharan Africa Division, we are seeking proposals for the:

Development of DCAF Financial Affordability Application

Location:                         Geneva / Work remotely

Duration:                         July – September 2023             

The mandate

DCAF is calling for proposals from specialised IT providers to develop a web-based tool for financial data collection and analysis that could be used by security sector reform (SSR) practitioners.

DCAF has designed an Excel-based prototype data collection tool for security sector-related financial analysis and public expenditure analysis specifically to support security and justice sector practitioners in understanding the financial and budgetary implications of reform or organisational improvement decisions. It is designed to collate and organize raw data related to revenue and expenditures from the security sector. Based on these data, it produces analyses on affordability and can develop data-driven simulations of the outcomes, risks and trends that are likely as a result of the initial data.

DCAF is calling for proposals from specialised IT service providers to develop, based on DCAF’s existing Excel-based prototype tool, a more user-friendly “plug and play” web-based version of the tool that can be operated by users with limited computer or even financial literacy. The tool should be developed between July and September 2023 and be formally launched by the end of October 2023 for use by practitioners.

In the initial stage of the tender process, prospective tenders are asked to submit an initial offer that would include:

1. A brief summary of the interface design and functionalities that they propose in line with the call for proposal
2. A financial offer
3. A summary of relevant recent experience in development of similar applications
4. A brief profile of the company
5. Links or examples of recent applications developed.

The initial offer should be submitted to DCAF by 10 June 2023 and not exceed 2 pages. Based on initial offers, DCAF will shortlist 1-3 companies that would then be asked to produce more detailed specifications in their subsequent offer. The final stage of the tender process would require potential IT providers to produce a mock-up of the interface, and an interview. The final candidate will be selected no later than 01 July 2023. The financial offer shall not exceed 26,000 CHF.

Technical Criteria

The general description of desired characteristics and functionalities of the web-based application include the following:

• A web/cloud-based solution design
• A user interface design that is intuitive and easy to use (similar to Power BI dashboard or Tableau workspace)
• A web platform that can store data per user profile
• The data and synthesis must easily be downloadable into PDF and Word documents
• Ensure the platform has functionalities to hold and organize reference material, announcements, and share other content, etc.
• The platform must be able to link and/or store a dedicated e-learning course.

DCAF will provide the service provider with the data structures, existing Excel formulas, and elements of outputs (graphs, tables and charts) based on the prototype designed on Excel, and any additional information regarding the expected functions of the tool that are necessary for a better understanding of the requirements.

The service provider should adhere to the following conditions and requirements:

• Guarantee of confidentiality of data records; Sensitive data will be located and connected to on premise
• The prototype is the propriety of DCAF and shall not be used in part or its entirety without its written authorization
• The tool should be able to run on any desktop or laptop computer
• An application that can save and compare different data configurations
• Ensure that webhosting and cloud computing costs are integrated into the initial contract and covered for a period of no less than 3-5 years with minimal costs thereafter to sustain the platform
• Ensure, following the launch of the tool, troubleshooting for a period of no less than 12 months
• Ensure that the tool is GDPR-compliant
• The service provider’s design should take into account that the tool will be used in environments, and from locations, where internet connections are neither consistently reliable nor robust
• The medium to long-term cost implications of managing the tool should be minimal
• In the backend, the platform should include statistics on users
• An easy-to-use user management system for logins
• Provide training for DCAF on how to manage the platform and its backend, with a brief user manual.

Specifications of the Tool

1. Primary functions

The tool should allow users to input several types of data in different panels: macroeconomic variables, budgetary data, headcount data, revenue, data on recurring operational costs, and financial data on equipment and assets. Through the application, the total costs of individual panels or across panels are synthesized, analysed and compared to generate some initial findings on the financial risks, trends and issues. The application should allow for the comparison of different scenarios or outcomes of different policy options based on a change in value(s). The resulting changes in spending would be displayed through visuals (tables and charts) to be organised in a logical, aesthetic, yet meaningful way.

2. Core user’s stories: aggregate, drill down and display results

The functionalities remain “core” for this phase of development. These are listed hereafter:

a) Input data

• “As a user, I want to be able to key in data

b) Aggregate revenue and expenditure changes and display them to highlight contrasts or inflexion points

• “As a user, I want to be able to select the items to be analysed among a proposed list of items”.

c) Drill down revenue and expenses to identify root causes

• “As a user, I want to be able to drill down/disaggregate results to spot the root causes of a trend or of an anomaly”.

d) Comment on findings

• “As a user, I want to be able to add comments and interpretations to the corresponding graph when relevant” to help readers understand findings.

e) Project scenarios into the future (the starting point baseline + 3 possible scenarios) by changing personnel numbers and/or operations and/or capital.

• “As a user, I want to be able to test different scenarios along the four (4) dimensions: i) entity, ii) expense categories –personnel (including number, ranks, gender), operations, equipment, and investment–, iii) geographic location of entity, and iv) time period.”
• “As a user, I want to be able to compare side by side the different scenarios”.

f) Compare country’s expenditure aggregates (only)

• “As a user, I want to be able to compare a country’s expenditure” (along the 3 expense categories of personnel, operations and capital).

g) Display findings

• “As a user, I want to be able to visualise findings”; these may be insights, noteworthy figures such as outliers relative to threshold values –acceptable ratios e.g.–or disproportionate quantities.

h) Store data: While general, publicly available data could be stored or linked to the application, any proprietary data or sensitive data should not be stored.

• “As a user, I want to automatically delete proprietary data”.
• “As a user, I want to store/save on-going analysis”.

i)Export data

• “As a user, I want to be able to export data and data visualisation”.

Because it may influence the initial design of the solution, it should be noted that advanced functions are envisaged for future development phases. These additional functionalities are anticipated in future projects and are not part of the required functions for the current application. The technical proposal should thus already include possibilities of further scalability of the application if/when required. They would include scalability options such as advanced elements or specific thematic modules –e.g., modelling payroll related issues such as pensions, or assessing costing requirements for a specific asset like building a forensic capability. It would be desirable, but not essential, that companies include in their proposal a proposition for an offline version of the tool.

Selection Criteria

• Applicants need to have demonstrated, relevant experience in developing similar products
• Applicants need to be based in Europe
• Previous experience working with DCAF is a distinct advantage
• Financial offer.

Submission of Proposals

Interested applicants are expected to send their offer (in line with the instructions provided above) by 10 June 2023 by using the following link: www.dcaf-flexperso.ch.

DCAF is committed to equality of opportunity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of sex, age, disability, gender identity, religion, or ethnicity.

Individuals who seek to serve with DCAF in any individual capacity will be required, if short-listed, to complete a self-attestation stating that they have not committed or been convicted of any criminal offence and have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.