General Information

1. Background

The National Volunteer Corps (NVC) Project, currently being implemented by the Government of Lesotho through the Ministry of Gender and Youth Sports and Recreation (MGYSR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/United Nations Volunteer (UNV) Programme, provides a mechanism for young graduates from the university and other tertiary institutions to access volunteer opportunities in various workspaces including the public and private sectors, NGOs and multi-lateral organizations. The National Volunteer Corps Project specifically aims to accomplish the following:

1.   Mobilize unemployed young professionals to support Lesotho’s development efforts and improve their job prospects by obtaining work experience and training

2.  Complement ongoing efforts by the Government and other national institutions that are working towards implementing various development programmes including the MDGs in the country

3.   Promote coordination among Volunteer Involving Organizations in the management of volunteers and their contribution to defined development priorities.

Purpose of the assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to support the National Volunteer Corp (NVC) Project Team with a tool that will receive, store and process volunteer applications; and store volunteers on assignments’ reports. The database will also serve as a monitoring tool for the volunteers on assignment under this programme.

To achieve this objective, MGYSR and UNDP/UNV are seeking the services of a registered local IT consultant/company with experience in creating databases to work under the direct and overall supervision of the Principal Secretary of MGYSR.

Key Tasks

• Develop a database with a two-tier architecture having Visual Basic as the front end and Microsoft Access as the backend.
• The entire project must be handled as a module  with five mandatory modules as follows;

     I.            Security Module: This module must maintain the users’ information, and allow the administrator to create more users inside the database, enabling the software to keep track of who makes changes in the database.

    II.            Data Entry Module: This module must have a detailed entry screen to enable the users to enter data into the database. All data entered must pass through ODBC DSN. At any given point in time and the user must be able to; detach the database from the software and work with other compatible software.

   III.            Data Update/Edit Module: This module must allow the user to edit the information entered using a Primary key pull. All the edited data must pass through the DSN to the database.

   IV.            Data Delete Module: This module must enable the user to delete the entered data into the database. It should clear all the primary key links in all the tables if the base data is deleted.

    V.            Data Search Module: This module must have detailed development on search based on keywords as well as the primary key. It should be programmed on the “Change” function of the Active X controls in Visual Basic.

   VI.            Linkages to other sites: This module must also be linkable to other volunteer websites in and outside of the country (e.g. United Nations Volunteer websites) and National Labour Information Management Systems in Lesotho.

• Develop a program that can accommodate developments in future. The source codes must remain with the client for future changes or update to the software.
• The programmer also should be able to provide other customized information requested by the client based on the data input made into the access database. 
• The consultant shall orientate at least 3 project staffs on how to use the system.

Expected Outcomes:

A user friendly volunteer database with facilities to receive, store and process volunteer applications and reports for the various volunteer assignments under the national Volunteer corps project. Highly secured database which can only be accessed through designated officers.

Deliverables:

• User guideline or manual for the maintenance of the database

• Trained project team on the use and maintenance of the database
• Final report on the assignment submitted and approved by MGYSR/UNDP management.

Qualification and Experience:

Education:

Personnel/Staff will have a degree in Information

Technology/Management, Computer engineering or related field.

Post graduate qualification (MSc. or PhD) in similar fields will be an

added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years consultancy experience in IT and database development.
• Experience in developing similar databases.
• Proven experience in working with central and local Government systems and structures.
• Background in human resource development would be an added advantage.

Competencies:

·    Excellent IT skills and knowledge;

·    Proven computer knowledge and skills especially database development and management;

·    Ability to meet datelines.

How to apply:

Interested IT Consultants/Companies should submit their proposals on or before 6^th August 2010. Proposals should be hand-delivered or posted to the following address:

Project Coordinator, National Volunteers Corps Project,

Ministry of Gender and Youth, Sports and Recreation

Six Floor, Post Office Building

P.O Box 729, Maseru 100- Lesotho