The Network Without LGBTI Violence brings together 10 organisations working for the defence of the rights of LGBTI people in ten countries in Latin America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and the Dominican Republic. The Network's objective is to contribute to the eradication of violence against LGBTI people in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially those motivated by their sexual orientation and gender identity. To this end, we promote the investigation and documentation of cases.

Application deadline21 April 2024

Service to be contracted: Consultancy for the development of a database in Azure for the Red Sin Violencia LGBTI.

Description: Colombia Diversa requires the hiring of a consulting team with experience in database development in Azure with user perspective to design and develop a new database for the Red Sin Violencia LGBTI (hereinafter "La Red").

The Network created an information system for the documentation of LGBTI homicides in the region composed of: (i) a structure of common variables for the registration of data; (ii) a joint methodology used by all organisations for the documentation of cases; (iii) a database in Azure associated with a web page accessed by the organisations through accredited users to register and consult the information; and (iv) a public visualisation of the information registered in the database.

Since changes to the database necessarily impact on the other components of the information system (category structure, methodology and public display), the consultancy will also need to make adjustments to each to bring them into line with the new database.

Objective of the consultancy: to hire a person or team to develop a database in Azure that: (i) centralises in an automated way the data collected by the Network in a standardised Excel format; (ii) allows easy and quick consultation of the information by the Technical Secretariat and the organisations that are part of the Network; and (iii) establishes protocols or security measures for the database.

Consultancy activities:

• Develop the database according to the needs and procedures of the Network, and the technical requirements to be agreed with the Technical Secretariat.
• Accompany the Network without Violence in the revision and definition of: (i) variables for the registration of information before starting the technical development, (ii) the methodology for the automated uploading of information and (iii) the way in which organisations will be able to access the information registered in the database.
• Once the final version of the variables, loading methodology and forms of access are available, develop a database in Azure that includes the user perspective and allows the automated centralisation of the information provided through an Excel format and the easy and quick consultation of the information by different people.
• You will need to establish security protocols or measures for the database, as well as consider the administration of multiple users requiring secure authentication, because the database will house sensitive data.
• Perform serial and parallel load testing to measure and ensure database resilience.
• Develop a proposal for the public visualisation of the data on the Sin Violencia LGBTI website to be updated with information from the database. A new design of the public visualisation is not required, it is required to homologate the data source with the data model of the current dashboard.
• Propose an annual plan of support and development hours to ensure that the product can continue to be used and accommodated to organisational needs.
• Deliver clear and detailed documentation of the product, test results and support plan, and provide training in the use of the new database to the team designated by the Technical Secretariat.

Timetable for implementation:

Month 1: Definition of variables, methodology and forms of access.

Month 2: Database development in Azure and testing.

Month 3: Design of visualisation proposal and annual support plan, development of security measures/protocol and conduct of training for the use of the database.

Consultancy deliverables:

1. Technical document / work plan that clearly explains the development of the database and the timeframe for implementation.
2. Document explaining the revised database structure (variables), the new loading methodology, the ways to access the information and the database user manual.
3. Approved and functional database, with backup files to be hosted in Azure.
4. Adjustments to the display on the Sin Violencia website so that it is connected to the database. No redesign of the visualisation is required.
5. Database documentation and annual support plan. The documentation should include a list of the computational resources you will use within Azure, the functions of each (justification), their location and costs.

Type of contracting and term: It will be carried out through a contract for the provision of services, which is governed by the Legislation, rates and taxes of the Republic of Colombia, for a term of three (3) months, until 15 July 2024 (maximum date of execution). A performance and advance payment policy will be required for the contract to be executed.

Value: USD $8.238 USD (Eight thousand two hundred and thirty eight American dollars) subject to the Legislation, rates and taxes of the Republic of Colombia. They will be paid in Colombian pesos for nationals (converted at the exchange rate assigned in the projects). In the case of foreigners, the same may vary at the time of negotiation with the international bank and will fluctuate according to the exchange rates of the projects that finance the development in Colombia Diversa, as well as the corresponding withholding taxes of up to 20% according to the type of organisation. See details at the bottom of the page [1].

Requirements: To apply for this call you must:

1. Present a work proposal in which the activities described above are included.
2. Profile summary [2] and experience that the consulting team has in database development with user perspective, Azure platform and ETL processes.

Applications from LGBTI+ people from an intersectional perspective are welcome.

Selection Process: Please send the above-described documents to the following email address sinviolencialgbti@gmail.com with subject: Database Consultancy.

Reception of Applications:

Evaluation: The Evaluation Committee will pre-qualify work proposals and assess profiles and experiences.

Deliberation and Selection: The Committee will make a decision based on the information submitted and may request interviews to further investigate the proposal submitted.

Acceptance: The Administrative Area of Colombia Diversa will be contacted to request additional documents and prepare the contract.

[1] Clarifications on the value of the contract.

(a) Variation in value. The value may vary according to the exchange rate between Colombian pesos and dollars on the day the payment is negotiated each month. It may also vary due to the rates generated between Colombian pesos and the currency of the bank account where the payment will be received. Colombia Diversa will not assume positive or negative differences caused by exchange rates.

(b) Taxes and Withholding Taxes. Likewise, please note that according to the Colombian Legislation the values may be encumbered by fees, taxes or additional obligations. Withholding taxes for payments abroad to foreigners are twenty percent (20%) or as established by the Colombian Legislation in force. If you are a resident in Colombia, you must pay the respective taxation for this type of services.

(c) Bank Fees for International Transfers. Colombia Diversa will not assume the costs for international transfers and they will be charged to the sum.

[2] In the case of trans, non-binary, gender-diverse or queer people, it is not necessary for your legal document to reflect your gender identity or gender expression. Please also indicate in your email the pronouns and names by which you self-identify.