Details of COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF SOMALILAND'S BIOMETRIC VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM
About the institution
Job Requirement
This assessment aims to:
Assess the challenges
of the Voter Registration System and procedures
Study the correctness
and completeness of the current Final Voter Registration Data.
Evaluate
software, hardware, and operational procedures and processes. Study the
feasibility of the two VRS options:
Updating the current
system with internal corrections and modernizing or replacing the system to
fresh and new voter registration system.
Propose a secure,
cost-effective, and inclusive system VR systems based on the two above options.
Review and Propose a
Structure that is fit the NEC VR needs
Propose a comprehensive
capacity building plan to sustain improvements Review and propose areas that
need to update on the NEC ICT PolicieS
Objectives
The assessment’s key
objectives are to:
Identify weaknesses in
the current voter registration system and procedures.
Determine the
feasibility of implementing a new system or updating/upgrading the existing
system.
Propose a modern system
that aligns with best practices.
Provide a detailed
cost-time analysis to support decision-making.
Scope of Work
The expert team will
conduct a comprehensive analysis of Somaliland's voter registration system. The
tasks are structured as follows:
Technical Audit: Perform an in-depth assessment
of the system’s software, hardware, and operational processes; Focus on data
flows, security protocols, and user experience; Understand the system’s
capabilities and limitations.
Gap Analysis: Identify vulnerabilities and
weaknesses, including security flaws, reliability issues, and inefficiencies;
Assess accessibility for various population segments; Highlight areas where the
system does not meet international standards.
Best
Practices Review: Examine voter registration
systems in other countries to gather relevant lessons; Focus on technological
solutions and security measures that could benefit Somaliland.
Solution Design: prepare detailed designs for a
modernized system addressing the identified weaknesses; Provide multiple
technological options at different price points; Emphasize scalability,
reliability, and security.
Cost-time Analysis: Conduct a thorough breakdown
of timeline and costs, including hardware, software, training, and operational
expenses; Ensure the analysis is clear and understandable for both technical
and non-technical stakeholders.
Final Report: Produce a comprehensive report
summarizing findings, recommendations, and proposed system designs; Include a
detailed cost analysis and implementation guidelines; Ensure the report is
accessible to various audiences, including policymakers and technical experts.
The assessment will
utilize a robust, mixed-methods approach to ensure comprehensive and insightful
analysis. This approach includes four key components:
1. Desk Review and Document Analysis; Conduct a deep review and
analysis of all the existing documents including prevouse system
documentations, BVVS documents, Audit reports, post-election review, etc.
2. Technical Analysis: Conduct a deep assessment of
the system's software architecture, hardware specifications, and database
structure. Identify vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and areas where the system
design hinders performance or security. Use established software engineering
and security auditing techniques for a detailed evaluation.
3. Data Analysis: Perform an in-depth
examination of voter registration data using advanced statistical techniques.
Identify patterns, anomalies, and potential indicators of fraud,
inconsistencies, or inaccuracies. Develop and apply statistical models to
assess data reliability and quality.
4. Stakeholder Consultations: Engage with NEC staff,
government agencies, and international partners through structured
consultations. Gather diverse perspectives to understand system strengths,
weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Utilize qualitative data collection and
analysis frameworks to ensure reliable insights.
5. Comparative Analysis: Review voter registration
systems in countries with similar contexts or successful implementations.
Benchmark Somaliland's system against best practices to identify adaptable
solutions. Focus on lessons learned from other countries' successes and challenges.
Deliverables:
The consultants are
expected to produce the following deliverables:
The Inception Report
will outline the methodology, work plan, and timeline. It will provide a
rationale for the selected approach, justifying the methods in alignment with
project objectives. Additionally, it will present a detailed task plan with
clear responsibilities and timelines, such as a Gantt chart.
The Progress Reports will offer detailed updates on the project status and
preliminary findings. These reports will include both quantitative and
qualitative assessments, highlighting any challenges encountered and the
strategies used to mitigate them. They will also ensure ongoing stakeholder
engagement through reporting at pre-agreed frequencies.
The Draft Report will present key
findings and provide a detailed analysis. It will outline multiple system
design options, with clear rationales for each, including their advantages and
disadvantages. This phase will also involve iterative feedback from
stakeholders to refine and finalize the design.
The Final Report will
deliver a comprehensive document that includes in-depth analysis, design specifications,
and cost-benefit evaluations. It will present multiple design options with
detailed cost estimates to support strategic decision-making. Recommendations
for phased implementation will also be included to help minimize potential
disruptions.
Finally, the
Presentation of Findings and Recommendations will involve a structured session
aimed at fostering productive discussions and obtaining stakeholder feedback.
The presentation will use visual aids and clear language to illustrate key
points and proposed solutions. It will also promote collaboration through
interactive dialogue to ensure that stakeholders fully understand and support
the recommendations.
Skills and qualifications
Team Composition:
This consultancy
requires a team with superior expertise in voter registration technology,
biometrics, and cybersecurity. The key roles and qualifications include:
Election & Voter
Registration Technical Expert:
o
Experience: At least 15 years of
experience in designing, implementing, and managing voter registration systems.
o
Technical Skills: Proficient in software,
hardware, database management, and system integration for voter registration.
o
Architecture & Project Leadership: Skilled in scalable, secure
system design and project management.
o
Qualifications: Master’s degree in Computer
Science, Information
Systems, or a related
field. Relevant certifications are highly desirable.
Biometric
Expert:
o
Expertise: In-depth knowledge of
biometric technologies (e.g., fingerprint, iris, facial recognition) and their
applications.
o
Data Security: Strong understanding of
biometric data protection standards, encryption, and access control.
o
Quality Assurance: Experience in biometric system
testing and audits.
Qualifications: Master’s degree in Biometrics,
Computer Science, or a related field, with a focus on security and data
integrity.
Cybersecurity
Specialist:
·
Cybersecurity Architecture: Extensive experience in secure
system design to prevent unauthorized access or disruption.
·
Vulnerability Assessment: Proven ability to conduct
security assessments and penetration testing.
·
Incident Response: Expertise in developing and
implementing security incident response plans.
·
Qualifications: Master’s degree in
Cybersecurity or Information
·
Security, with certifications such as
CISSP or CISM preferred.
·
Selection will be based on the team's
qualifications, experience, and capacity to meet the project's requirements.
The team will collaborate to deliver a comprehensive modernization plan for
Somaliland’s voter registration system.
Evaluation Criteria:
·
Proposals will be assessed holistically
to ensure selection of the most suitable firm.
·
Evaluation criteria include:
·
Team Expertise and Experience: Depth and Relevance:
Consideration of both the extent and relevance of the team's experience to the
specific challenges of voter registration systems in similar contexts.
·
Team Composition: Assessment of how well the
skills and expertise of team members complement each other.
·
References and Case Studies: Verifiable
references and case studies demonstrating successful completion of comparable
projects.
·
Methodology and Work Plan: Rigor and Appropriateness:
Alignment of the proposed methodology with project challenges and best
practices.
·
Clarity: Structure and transparency of
the work plan, ensuring easy monitoring and evaluation.
·
Cost Analysis: Transparency: Clear
identification and justification of cost items.
·
Value for Money: Assessment of overall
value relative to the proposed solution’s quality and feasibility
How to apply
International consulting
firms interested in this opportunity are invited to submit technical proposals
that outline their approach, methodology, relevant experience, team
composition, reference contacts, and financial proposal. Proposals should be
sent to hargeisa@nimd.org with the subject line "BVR system
assessment" by February 27th 2025, at 18:00 EAT.
Apply
to hargeisa@nimd.org