Request for Proposals: Technical Consultant – Web Developer

                                                     CARIBBEAN CHAMBERS OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE INC. (CARICHAM)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Request for Proposals: Technical Consultant – Web Developer

Call for Full Proposals (Technical and Financial)

CONSULTANCY TO UNDERTAKE INDEPENDENT HOSTING SERVICES OF THE CARICHAM WEBSITE, THE RECONCEPTUALISATION OF THE CARICHAM CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE RESOURCE HUB AND THE CREATION OF THE CARICHAM INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Nature of the Consultancy: The Consultancy may be undertaken by an individual candidate, group of candidates or a corporate body.

I.                             BACKGROUND

CARICHAM, a Network of Caribbean Chambers of Industry and Commerce, brings together 25 member chambers from across the Caribbean region. CARICHAM’s member chambers collaborate across four core pillars: Trade Facilitation, Advocacy and member value, Disaster Risk Reduction and Sharing best practice.

CARICHAM facilitates knowledge sharing among its member chambers and collaborates with regional and international organizations to develop and disseminate best practices. Through its Centre of Excellence Resource Hub, CARICHAM aims to provide Caribbean business chambers and associations as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with valuable resources and guidance on various business areas.

CARICHAM is seeking to engage the services of a web developer for the independent hosting of the CARICHAM Website and the redevelopment of the Centre of Excellence Resource Hub, to enhance the hub’s functionality and relevance to the Caribbean business chambers. The selected consultant will be responsible for upgrading the online Resource Hub in collaboration with CARICHAM’s Project Management Analyst. In addition, the web developer will create an information management solution to support implementation monitoring of multi-country programming as well as disaster preparedness and humanitarian response activities.

II.                         OBJECTIVES

Objective 1: The provision of hosting and maintenance services for the CARICHAM Website and Centre of Excellence Resource Hub

The web developer will be responsible for ensuring the seamless operation, security, and reliability of the CARICHAM Website and the Centre of Excellence Resource Hub. This includes:

1. 1. Web Hosting: Provision of a robust and scalable hosting solution capable of handling current and anticipated traffic volumes while ensuring optimal performance.
2. 2. Website Maintenance: Regular updates to the website’s core systems, plugins, and frameworks to ensure compatibility, security, and efficiency.
3. 3. Security Management: Implementation of industry-standard security protocols, including protection against cyber threats, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
4. 4. Monitoring and Support: Continuous monitoring of website uptime and performance, with rapid resolution of technical issues or outages.
5. 5. Backup Solutions: Regular backups of all website data and content, ensuring the ability to restore services quickly in case of a system failure.
6. 6. Technical Support: Ongoing support for CARICHAM staff, addressing queries, troubleshooting issues, and implementing necessary updates or changes.
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The developer must ensure that all services align with CARICHAM’s goals of creating a reliable, user-friendly, and accessible online presence for Caribbean business chambers and stakeholders.

Objective 2: The Revamping of CARICHAM’s Centre of Excellence Resource Hub

In collaboration with CARICHAM staff, the web developer will lead the redesign and enhancement of CARICHAM’s Centre of Excellence Resource Hub to improve its functionality, user experience, and overall effectiveness as a key resource for stakeholders. This includes:

1. 1. User-Centric Design: Creating an intuitive and visually appealing interface that enhances navigation and accessibility for users, ensuring inclusivity for diverse audiences.
2. 2. Content Organization: Structuring resources and information in a logical, user-friendly manner, enabling efficient access to tools, documents, and relevant materials.
3. 3. Enhanced Features: Integrating new functionalities, such as advanced search and filtering capabilities, resource tagging, and personalized user dashboards, to enrich the user experience.
4. 4. Mobile Responsiveness: Ensuring the Resource Hub is fully optimized for access across all devices, including mobile phones and tablets.
5. 5. Integration with Existing Platforms: Seamlessly linking the Resource Hub with CARICHAM’s main website, social media platforms, and other relevant systems.
6. 6. Performance Optimization: Improving search engine optimization, load times, reducing downtime, and ensuring the Hub operates efficiently under varying traffic conditions.
7. 7. Stakeholder Collaboration: Working closely with CARICHAM staff and stakeholders to ensure the revamped Hub aligns with organizational goals and user needs.
8. 8. Testing and Launch: Conducting thorough testing to ensure the functionality, security, and reliability of the revamped Hub before its official launch.

The revamped Centre of Excellence Resource Hub should serve as a dynamic, engaging, and reliable digital tool to support CARICHAM’s mission of empowering Caribbean business chambers and their members.

Objective 3: Develop an information management solution to support implementation monitoring of multi-country programming as well as disaster preparedness and humanitarian response activities.

The web developer will design and implement an advanced information management solution to enable efficient monitoring of multi-country programs and disaster preparedness and humanitarian response activities. This includes:

1. 1. Centralized Data Repository: Building a secure, scalable platform to store and manage data from various countries and programs in one unified system.
2. 2. Monitoring and Reporting Tools: Developing features to track project progress, key performance indicators (KPIs), and implementation milestones in real-time.
3. 3. Customizable Dashboards: Providing interactive dashboards for visualizing data, generating insights, and supporting decision-making processes.
4. 4. User Access Management: Ensuring role-based access controls to protect sensitive information while enabling collaboration among authorized users across countries.
5. 5. Disaster Response Features: Incorporating modules to document and track disaster preparedness efforts, response activities, and resource allocation.
6. 6. Mobile and Offline Access: Ensuring the solution is mobile-friendly and includes offline functionality for use in low-connectivity regions.
7. 7. Data Security and Compliance: Implementing encryption, backup solutions, and adherence to data protection regulations to safeguard information.
8. 8. Training and Support: Providing training sessions and ongoing technical support for CARICHAM staff and stakeholders to maximize system usability.

This information management solution should facilitate comprehensive oversight of CARICHAM’s multi-country initiatives and enhance its ability to coordinate and evaluate projects implemented under CARICHAM’s four pillars of collaboration and specifically for disaster preparedness and humanitarian response efforts of chambers across the region.

Interested persons/organisations are requested to submit the following:

1)          A general description of the approach, detailed methodology, workplan, and timeline for completing the three objectives (no more than ten pages).

2)    A one-page outline of each consultant or key experts assigned to this project, outlining relevant qualifications and experience. Full CVs of all consultants participating in the assignment should be attached as an Appendix.

3)          A detailed proposed budget for each objective of this project.

4)          Any important value-added elements you or your organisation may wish to add to your service provision to enhance your bid evaluation (optional).

Submissions for only one or two of the project objectives are also welcomed. Submissions should be sent to CARICHAM via electronic mail at projectmgt@caribbeanchambers.net with the subject line: Consultancy to Undertake the Redevelopment of the CARICHAM Resource Hub and Development of Information Management System

All applications must be submitted by January 31, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. (UTC/GMT -4).

Only complete and suitable proposals will be acknowledged.