BACKGROUND:

Ageing is an inevitable process, and the ageing population is growing rapidly worldwide. With advancements in technology, digital resources are becoming essential tools for disseminating knowledge and information to various stakeholders. To address the issues related to ageing and inclusion, there is a need to develop a digital resource that will cater to the diverse needs of different age groups and communities. As a matter of fact, there is a serious lack of data on the ageing and inclusion in Pakistan, where data is scattered and difficult to access.

HelpAge International seeks a professional individual or a firm having expertise in developing user-friendly digital web-based platforms to develop a digital resource capable to provide links and resources to research and data collected by government agencies, academia, media, research institutes, civil society organizations or individual experts on ageing and inclusion in Pakistan.

The digital resource on ageing and inclusion must make it easy for policy makers and organizations to access the relevant data available for further research and analysis and policy and program development. The digital resource will be developed as part of a larger initiative focused on ageing and inclusion. The aim is to create a web-based platform that provides easy access to a wide range of resources related to ageing, including research articles, policy briefs, reports, and multimedia content.

OBJECTIVES:

• Develop a web based digital resource that is secure, user-friendly, accessible, and informative.
• Create a platform that provides easy access to a wide range of resources related to ageing and inclusion.
• Ensure that the resource is responsive to the needs of different user groups, including policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and the public including people with disabilities.
• Ensure that the resource is up-to-date and regularly updated with new resources.

SCOPE OF WORK:

• Developing a user-friendly web-based platform with multi language / translation options that allows users to easily search and browse resources related to ageing and inclusion.
• The content will be publicly available and can be translated at least in another language i.e., Urdu.
• Capable to gathering the content related to ageing on a single platform.
• Users/ publishers should be asked for Name, Email, and (Profession, Purpose of Download - Optional) for future updates and upcoming publications with Google Captcha 4.0 to avoid spamming.
• Divided in two parts, front end and back end. The whole content will be listed on front end. Admin will access through the back end with panel.
• Supports SEO Friendly Content.
• Title, Description and download button on front page of every publication.
• Email will be asked on every downloading with acceptance button to share the details of upcoming publications to the user, and Email will be saved in database.
• Total download count widget.
• Every document will have properties, like Author, Publications House, Publication Year, Book Category, ISBN Number.
• Every document will manage by category management system.
• Designing and development of landing page of resource as per branding guidelines.
• Identifying and sourcing relevant resources to populate the ageing and inclusion resource.
• Organizing the resources into relevant categories and subcategories.
• Developing a system for tagging resources to improve search functionality.
• Ensuring that the digital resource is accessible to people with disabilities.
• Developing guidelines for contributors to ensure that resources meet quality standards.
• Establishing a process for regularly updating the digital resource with new resources.
• Developing a communication strategy to promote the digital resource to relevant stakeholders.

Tools and Technologies:

Tools:

• System should be developed on WordPress and MySQL. Vendor can propose any open source that can meet all the requirements or can have additional features.
• No pirated plugins or themes should be installed on the WordPress.
• Any open source

Salient Features of Website:

• Web-based
• Easily accessible
• Updateable
• Any user can share the content with us by email, and it will be approved after admin’s approval.
• No public signups are allowed, only admin create new users.
• Create a public page, named “Contribute” that has the static text and email address where user can send the document.
• User Friendly Interface
• Responsive to desktop/mobile
• Front end and back end
• PHP core/MySQL database
• Migration/Integration with main website
• Backup

DELIVERABLES:

• A web-based platform that provides easy access to a wide range of resources related to ageing and inclusion.
• A system for tagging resources to improve search functionality.
• Guidelines for contributors to ensure that resources meet quality standards.
• A process for regularly updating the library with new resources.
• A communication strategy to promote the library to relevant stakeholders.
• Timeline The development of the digital resource library should be completed within six months of the contract being awarded.
• SEO Optimization and report

REQUIRED EXPERTISE:

Web Development: Proficient in various web development technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and popular frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js. Capable of building responsive and visually appealing websites with a focus on cross-browser compatibility.

User Experience Design: Skilled in creating user-centric designs that prioritize usability and accessibility. Able to conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and implement user feedback to enhance the overall user experience.

Information Management: Experienced in organizing and managing large volumes of data efficiently. Proficient in using databases (e.g., SQL, NoSQL) and content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal) to handle and present information effectively.

Knowledge: Possess a strong foundation in computer science and web development principles. Stay updated with the latest industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to ensure the development of cutting-edge websites and applications.

Ageing and Inclusion Issues: Knowledgeable about the importance of web accessibility and inclusivity, especially for aging populations and people with disabilities. Able to implement WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards and practices to make websites usable by a broad audience.

Experience:

Front-end Development (2-3 years): Developed interactive and responsive user interfaces for various clients across different industries. Implemented best practices in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create visually appealing and user-friendly websites. Collaborated closely with designers to ensure seamless integration of UI/UX designs.

Back-end Development (2-3 years): Designed and built robust server-side components using technologies like Node.js, Python, or Ruby on Rails. Created RESTful APIs and integrated them with front-end applications for dynamic data retrieval and manipulation.

Content Management (2-3 years): Managed content for clients' websites using popular CMS platforms such as WordPress and Joomla. Customized themes, plugins, and extensions to meet specific project requirements.

Database Management (2-3 years): Designed and maintained databases, ensuring data integrity and security. Proficient in SQL and NoSQL databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Firebase.

User Experience Improvement (2-3 years): Conducted user research, usability testing, and A/B testing to identify and address pain points in web applications. Implemented responsive design principles to optimize user experiences on various devices.

Accessibility Implementation (2-3 years): Ensured compliance with accessibility standards (WCAG) to make websites usable for all, including individuals with disabilities and older users. Conducted accessibility audits and implemented necessary changes to achieve compliance.

Project Management (2-3 years): Successfully managed web development projects from inception to completion, coordinating with cross-functional teams, setting project timelines, and delivering high-quality products within budget constraints.

Continuous Learning and Training (2-3 years): Actively pursued professional development by attending workshops, webinars, and industry conferences to stay current with the latest web development trends and technologies.

REPORTING:

The contractor will report to the project lead and will work closely with the communication department at HelpAge International to provide regular updates on the progress of the development of the digital resource.

Interested consultants/firms shall submit their proposals (Technical and financial) by 30/09/2023 by Time at the following address in the name of the Procurement Committee.

HelpAge International, Office 6 Ground Floor, Shah Tower, E-11/2, Islamabad, Pakistan

Please write “Submission of Proposal for developing digital resource on ageing and inclusion” on the envelope.