Consultancy – Technology Consultancy, Student Refugee Program

Consultancy – Technology Consultancy, Student Refugee Program

Organization and Project Background

WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We bring together and collaborate with a diverse network of partners (including students, volunteers, schools, governments, not-for-profits, and businesses) who share this mission. Together, we influence systems change, and foster inclusive, youth-centered solutions that enable young people to thrive and belong. We work with all young people, with a focus on women and displaced populations.

WUSC currently operates in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our global team includes over 100 staff in Canada and more than 250 staff internationally, implementing a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with numerous multilateral and bilateral donors, and philanthropic foundations.

Objectives of the SRP Technology Project

The overall vision for this SRP technology project is to support the Student Refugee Program over the coming 5 years ) to integrate digitization strategies that improve efficiency, accuracy, credibility and engagement of refugee students and Canadian campus partners. Specifically, WUSC’s objectives are to harness technology that enables staff to more effectively and efficiently manage the refugee student applicant selection and academic matching processes.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The SRP Technology Project will be rolled out in phases as funding is secured. This consultancy is phase 1. The purpose of this initial consultancy are to:

• Validate proposed solutions for the technology tools currently utilized for the SRP application and shortlisting process
• Research and recommend options for technology system improvements to the SRP application and shortlisting process
• Analyse options to identify the most beneficial and cost-effective solutions that are compatible with current WUSC systems, i.e. Salesforce or Bamboo HR

The specific deliverables of this consultancy are to analyse and recommend system improvements and cost implications for development of the following priority features for the SRP student selection process:

• Assign a unique identifier to all SRP applicants and automatically flag repeat applicants within current year and past years, identifying changes in their application content
• Auto-screen out ineligible applicants using standardized, pre-set basic eligibility criteria
• Enable the scanning of attachments to cross-check against reported information
• Identify and rank shortlist of applicants using standardized, pre-set secondary screening criteria
• Enable email templates and mass mailings for regular communications with applicants and selected candidates

Further, the following list of secondary improvements are to be taken into consideration in the systems analysis, ideally to be integrated in the future:

• Identify an AI screening tool that can be integrated into the application process
• Enable a video upload for shortlisted applicants
• Integrate Immigration Form data collection into the student record
• Design an integrated process that can link candidates to academic institutions

Qualifications and Competencies

• Consultancy experience supporting charitable sector organizations to develop affordable and effective technology and database solutions
• Strong technical knowledge in database system design and management
• Excellent knowledge of multiple database technologies, able to analyse and recommend ideal solutions
• Experience or knowledge of working in low technology environments, such as refugee camps, is an asset
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Effective interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Languages – fluency in English

Interested consultants are asked to provide the following:

Technical proposal, to include:

• The consultant’s proposed methodology and approach
• Work plan and timeline
• Breakdown of consultancy fees. Please note that the maximum funding available to support this consultancy is $25,000 CAD.

Company or Consultant profile, to include:

• Organizational background / Consultant CV
• Contact details of at least two references