Title of Assignment Improving ICT Applications by modifying the functionality of the E-law Uganda Application and SMS platform.
Section Legal Department
Reporting Location MCJL Head Offices.
Duration 24 Working Days

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION                                                                                              

Muslim Centre for Justice and Law (MCJL) envisions, “A Ugandan society that upholds universal faith-based principles in ensuring equitable access to justice, human rights and observance of the law”. MCJL’s mission is to facilitate observance of human rights, justice, peace, and good governance through promotion of public interest, civil liberties, and obligations under the law.

 

MCJL intends to Scale up ICT Innovations in order to enhance access to legal information by modifying the functionality of the E-law Uganda Application and SMS platform. Therefore MCJL seeks to hire consultancy services of a competent team of individuals or firm that will ably undertake the assignment.

2.0 BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

2.1 BACKGROUND

MCJL developed the e-law application which has legal information regarding both civil and criminal law as well as contacts for the access to justice service providers and the users are monitored through the number of downloads. However, there is need to address the current challenges faced while running the e-law application; up-dating the application with legal information. Some laws were amended and others under appeal; the contacts and location of some service providers change. MCJL conducted a client stratification survey and it was found out the users of the application had a challenge of understanding the English language and recommended to have the legal information translated into the local languages especially Luganda. Further still, the users of the SMS platform had a challenge with airtime charges per SMS and this made it a bit expensive to use. MCJL intends to maintain the e-law application by constantly updating and also translate it into local language and have a free SMS platform without any charges on the users.

2.2 JUSTIFICATION

The ICT application simplifies access to legal information for the poor and vulnerable people in Uganda. The ICT innovations aim at meeting the current demands of the world, resulting from a period of rapid change, driven by technology. Reflecting on the progress of ICT from a global perspective, in 2015 the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) indicators were remarkable! Since 2010, the proportion of the population in developing countries with access to fixed or mobile telephone has reached 70%; and more than 20% of the populations of developing countries including Uganda are internet users.

The themes under the E-law Uganda Application include Civil and criminal Law, Chapter 4 of the constitution of Uganda among others. In practice, there are different channels of enhancing access to Justice. This E-law Uganda Application and the SMS platform can bridge a number of gaps in the legal structures, functions and hierarchy with regard to accessing legal information. It was against this background that MCJL requires to scale-up the ICT innovations (e-Law Uganda and SMS platform), local beneficiaries required the organisation to translate the current legal information on these platforms from English into Luganda. This improvement promoted utilization of the ICT platforms and hence, an increase in access to social legal information beyond the target districts of Mayuge, Bugiri, Mpigi, Butambala and Kampala.

In regard to the above, MCJL seeks to identify and engage the services of a consultant to scale up the ICT Innovations(SMS and E-Law Uganda Application) to address the current legal information gaps in the local communities and beyond.

3.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

3.1 OVERALL OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of the consultancy is “To Improve the performance of ICT applications by modifying the functionality of the E-law Uganda Application and SMS platform.”

 

3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Specifically, the scaling up of the ICT innovations is intended to:-

(1) To modify the functionality of the E-law Uganda platform and SMS Application.

(2) To up-date the legal information on the E-law Uganda platform so that it reflects the current state of Uganda’s legal frame-work and related issues.

(3) To translate the content of the E-law platform from English to Luganda. This should create two versions of accessible legal information, when one navigates the e-law Uganda platform.

KEY RESULT AREA: The ICT modifications will be useful to increase the provision of legal aid information and services to the poor and vulnerable in targeted communities.

 

4.0 SCOPE OF WORK

In consideration of the background and objectives of the assignment, MCJL requires an experienced consultant to improve the ICT Applications by modifying the functionality of the E-law Uganda Application and SMS platform, as outlined for redress.

The assignment requires the consultant to:-

 

 

Preparatory phase

  1. Prepare and share an inception report and work-plan on how to proceed with the work tasks.
  2. Review relevant laws and related documents within Uganda’s legal frame-work to respond effectively to matters arising out of existing gaps.
  3. Install a clock-in system to track the check in time for staff at different legal aid offices.

In respect to the E-law Uganda Application

  1. Review, organise and upload National wide contact information for Magistrates, Courts of Judicature, and OC Stations at police posts, Fire brigades, Ambulances. Contact information should contain Location, Telephone Number, Title of contact person.
  2. Install the GPIS tracking tool and use it to capture locations for detecting nearest legal support unit such as the nearest local police post or ambulance for emergencies.
  3. Create an access route to ensure that after download of the e-Law Uganda platform, the user should easily navigate and automatically redial the telephone number for any inquiry to resolve a legal problem or get legal information.
  4. The system should address “messages sent in error” such as accommodating erroneous submissions like ‘n instead of n.
  5. Upload the translated legal information (Luganda) in addition to the English version and ensure easy navigation to information on the e-Law Uganda Application by users.
  6. Add new laws to the Application including those related to accident claims.
  7. Revise amended laws and upload them.
  8. Translate the legal content appropriately from English into Luganda Language.
  9. When you scroll it should be able to go continuous instead of having going back to the first entry.

In respect to the SMS Platform

  1. The SMS should generate an automated feedback within the shortest time possible and within the clearest communication.
  2. Develop a short communication code, preferably not exceeding 4 digit numbers for easy memorization by users.
  3. Create a linkage from the SMS platform hosting messages from outside to a redirected communication flow connecting with any two selected lawyers at any one point, to ensure constant and instant feedback.
  4. Improve the response the system sends out in case a keyword does not exist in the system.
  5. Update police officers contacts i.e. OCs, DPCs, etc.
  6. Rectify the error of invalid keyword instead of having it resolved manually.
  7. Create a button to help retrieve all sent requests and the people who sent them.

Close-out phase

  1. Provide for unsolicited advertisement of the SMS and e-Law Uganda platforms. Such as pop in messages to different online users.
  2. Rectify the power inventor to turn on automatically like a generate instead of having to manually switch it back on.
  3. Repair the two UPS for the servers since they act as power backups for the server in case power has gone off.
  4. Check to verify that if someone sends a part of a keyword the system returns all keywords with that part in them.
  5. Submit both the final modifications and report to MCJL. The report should be packaged in not more than 10 pages in hard and soft format.

5.0 THE PROCESS OF EXECUTING THE ASSIGNMENT

The process will be guided by the following considerations:-

  • The strategy, approach and methodology must be consistent in context with the assignment.
  • The coverage and methodology must be practical and user friendly to reflect national character.
  • The content should be coherent, simple and easy to understand.
  • Sources of reference should be clearly indicated.

6.0 EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The consultant shall clearly submit:-.

  1. An inception report and work-plan clearly indicating how to go about the assignment.
  2. A Presentation of a demonstration draft piece for the assignment in a validation meeting to key stakeholders.
  3. The final ICT systemic modifications and report which should incorporate comments made during the stakeholder meetings and in excellent English.

7.0 MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager at MCJL Head offices, who will also perform the evaluation of the assignment by the contracted consultant. MCJL will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide support to him/her when required.

 

8.0 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND WORKING EXPERIENCE:

The consultant should meet the following minimum selection criteria:

  • At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and/or any other relevant postgraduate qualifications.
  • Previous work experience and in- depth knowledge of Law with a bias in Management Information Systems.
  • Excellent communication and writing skills.
  • A clear understanding of Uganda’s legal Frame-work.
  • At least 5 years of relevant professional working experience in ICT Systems including extensive knowledge and experience in both handling IT systems development and installation.
  • Good analytical and documentation/report writing skills.
  • Good communication and facilitation skills.
  • Must have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) and proof of compliance with statutory tax obligations.

9.0 SUBMISSION FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

The interested candidate for this contract must submit a written (computer typed) application, a technical and financial proposal; Letter of interest; proposed methodology; A proposed work plan for the assignment; and a CV outlining the relevant experience that qualifies the candidate to undertake such assignment including contact details and signed by the candidate.

10.0 SELECTION OF THE CONSULTANT

The Quality and Cost Based Selection method (QCBS) will be used in selecting the most suitable consultant for the assignment.

11.0 TERMS OF PAYMENT

The selected consultant or consultancy firm should be ready to comply with the mode of payment in three installments. The first installment will be 30% upon signing of the contract, the second installment will be 40% and the final payment will be 30%upon submission of the final research report. The consultant should be ready to meet 6% deduction charged in form of withholding tax levied on consultancy fees and payable to URA.

12.0 RECOURSE

MCJL reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to MCJL and counterpart feedback.

13.0 INTELECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT

MCJL shall own all property rights, such as copyright, patents and registered trademarks, on matter directly related to, or derived from, the work carried out through this contract with MCJL.

14.0 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

All interested applicants must submit their Expression of Interest to: Head Finance and Administration, MCJL Head Office Basiima House, Plot No. 401/2 Ku Saatu Bwaise opposite Fulex Petrol Station. Bombo Road.

Email; info@mcjl.ug and Copy to: muslimjustice@yahoo.com, kafeerosulaiman@yahoo.co.uk and Busulwamohamad@gmail.com

15.0 DEAD LINE:

The deadline for submission of Expression of Interest is 1st June 2018 at 5:00PM.

MCJL is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply for this assignment.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  The submitted applications will be evaluated in terms of the quality of complete coverage of all aspects of the terms of reference, timeliness in relation to research, analysis and production of a draft report as well as compliance with qualifications as provided for herein.

Disclaimer: The terms of reference herein above are not conclusive but simply an indication of some of MCJL’s expectations. More detailed discussions as regards our comprehensive expectations from this assignment shall be held with the successful consultant.

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