What we are seeking:

Background: The purpose of the CGIAR Results Dashboard is to provide results achieved by CGIAR Initiatives and Impact Area Platforms. The capabilities of the recent first Dashboard release are focused on acquiring, and aggregating CGIAR Initiative, Partnership, Result Story, and Genebank information with an emphasis on providing all users common user interface representations for accounting results achieved. Information such as Impact, Action Area outcome, Initiative outcome and Initiative output is provided. Users can also filter by indicator category: Capacity sharing for development, Innovation development, Knowledge products, Innovation use, Policy change, and Capacity change. Interface Representations with this information are organized by categories such as SDGs, Impact Area, Action Area, Partners, gender and climate tag, country, region and CGIAR Center.

The Action Area on Genetic Innovation (GI) and their funders (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – BMGF and others) seek improved capabilities for presenting a coherent story around the outcomes achieved in GI as part of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact Assessment (MELIA) effort.

GI primarily expect to increase the use of Genebank material, use market intelligence (e.g., user preferences) in breeding, increase genetic gains and seeds availability, support farmers in replacing their varieties and finally provide more benefits to farmers together with the other two action areas (System Transformation and Resilient Agri-Food Systems).

Objectives: Address challenges with monitoring and assessing OneCG GI Action area outcomes (Genebank, Market Intelligence, Breeding and Seed Systems) and funder contributions for GI by improving:

1. The existing GI metrics agreed with CCGIG.
2. The mechanism to collect, validate and store data in existing systems and future options.
3. GI user Interface designs and information representations for assessing and interpreting metrics in an “actionable” fashion.
4. GI procedures for defining and recording metrics and software means for recording these metrics according to these procedures.

The GI Pilot aims to present metrics in a user-friendly interface able to tell the story and not limit it to individual indicators as the current dashboard used by CGIAR. This will serve as a potential opportunity for the other action areas.

Deliverables and timeline:

The project will implement these improvements through three steps:

• Step One: Enhancing the current dashboard by providing user interface designs and information representations specific to GI or GF user’s purposes or intentions for accessing action area metrics in a story telling way.
• Step Two: Augmenting Step One dashboard enhancements by providing additional user interface capabilities, designs, and representations for retrieving genetic information data for decision making:
  • GeneBank distribution data.
  • Crops and breeding pipeline (BP) meta data.
  • Target Product Profile (TPP) definitions and quality assurance processes implemented to achieve them.
  • Product Target Product Environment (TPE) definitions.
  • Usage of TPPs in BPs.
  • The progression (state) of product varieties across a breeding pipeline.
  • Product variety rate of genetic gain.
  • Seed production and distribution.
  • Adoption by farmers (Replacement rate).
  • The yield of released product varieties attained by farmers and their market share.

Data points will be further refined during Step 1 keeping in consideration their usefulness and feasibility to collect.

• Step Three: Providing a mechanism to collect, validate, store, and represent data enhancing existing tools (e.g., CGIAR Dashboard) in the short term and full architecture on how to optimize tools in the new phase (2025-2027).

General tasks include:

Work Packages:

• Work Package 1 for Steps 1 and 2 requirement analyses:
  • Interview designated GI and GF dashboard product owners.
  • Assess metric data sources and quality.
  • Define requirements from product owner interviews and metric data source assessment.
  • Assessing “gaps” in in the current CGIAR Results Dashboard in addressing these requirements.
  • Formulate enhancements/augmentations current CGIAR Results Dashboard UI/UX and information representations designs and mockups of them and data management according to these requirements and gaps.
  • Conduct reviews with product owners to validate proposed dashboard UI/UX and representation designs and data management logic.
• Work Package 2 for Steps 1 and 2 software development:
  • Prepare software development specifications, data models, business rules, reference data, acceptance tests, etc. for use by the Dashboard development team to implement the work package 1 designs.
  • Conduct reviews with the development team to finalize and “hand off” this information for development.
  • Conduct software requirement testing to verify requirement implementation.
  • Prepare end user help documentation.

• Work Package 3 for Step 3 requirement analyses:
  • Interview designated GI and GF monitoring product owners.
  • Assess metric data sources and quality.
  • Define requirements from product owner interviews and metric data source assessment.
  • Formulate Tool UI/UX and information representations designs and mockups of them and data management according to these requirements.
  • Conduct reviews with product owners to validate proposed Tool UI/UX and representation designs and data management logic.

• Work Package 4 for Step 3 software development:
  • Prepare software development specifications, data models, business rules, reference data, acceptance tests, etc. for use by the Dashboard development team to implement the work package 1 designs.
  • Conduct reviews with the development team to finalize and “hand off” this information for development.
  • Conduct software requirement testing to verify requirement implementation.
  • Prepare end user help documentation.

Timeline:

The project will be executed in three phases.

1. Phase 1: This phase occurs in 2023 and addresses Work Package 1.
2. Phase 2: This phase occurs in 2024 and addresses Work Package 2.
3. Phase 3: This phase occurs in 2024 and addresses Work Packages 3 and 4.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ph.D. in a Relevant Field such as Information Technology, Computer Science, Genetics, or Biology, demonstrating a strong foundation in scientific research and critical thinking.
• Extensive Research Experience with a track record of contributing to both public and private sector research programs. This includes active participation in groundbreaking studies and projects.
• Expertise in Breeding Research Programs showcasing a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in this field. This experience has led to tangible contributions and advancements.
• Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrates ability to align stakeholders and develop strategic plans. Has successfully led initiatives that involve multiple parties, fostering collaboration and cohesion to achieve common objectives.
• Strong Data Analysis Proficiency: Excels in the analysis of data related to breeding programs, employing a diverse range of analytical methods to draw meaningful insights. This analytical prowess aids in informed decision-making.
• IT System Design and Cloud Deployment: Possesses comprehensive knowledge of IT system design, architecture, and cloud deployment strategies. This expertise ensures the effective implementation of cutting-edge technology solutions.
• Data Management, Analytics, and Visualization: Proficient in data management, analytics, and visualization, enhancing the capacity to translate raw data into actionable insights. Proficiency in tools and techniques for data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional Communication Skills, both written and verbal. This proficiency is instrumental in conveying complex research findings, facilitating collaboration, and presenting ideas effectively.
• Strong Leadership Abilities, having successfully led and inspired teams to achieve their full potential. These leadership qualities contribute to project success and team morale.

Evaluation Criteria:

Candidates will be evaluated on their CV, including related experience (75%), and their rates (25%).

Bid Schedule and Dates:

The following schedule includes key milestones and their associated completion dates and is provided primarily for planning purposes. CGIAR System Organization may modify the project timeline at its discretion.

How to submit a proposal:

Please submit a Curriculum Vitae and a budget proposal as two separate documents to [email protected]. Both documents can be attached to the same email.

The budget will be presented in US dollars.

All proposals must be received no later than midnight on 17 November 2023. Only electronically submitted proposals will be considered. Late proposals will not be considered.