Job Description

Reference number: 2611
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Consultancy
Duty station: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a

Consultancy Contract Form-SRS SHARED IS

Overview

The GCF Knuckles Project aims to enhance climate resilience, sustainable land management, and livelihood security across the Knuckles landscape. Achieving these outcomes requires an integrated, interoperable, and user-oriented information system that supports evidence-based decision-making across multiple sectors and stakeholder groups.

The proposed SHARED (Shared Information System for Management Options) platform will integrate biophysical, socio-economic, climate, and land health data to support planning, monitoring, adaptive management, and stakeholder engagement. The system will include decision support tools, multi-scale dashboards, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functionalities, value chain analytics, and a payment for ecosystem services (PES) platform across diverse contexts under the project.

Given the complexity and national significance of the system, a comprehensive Software Requirements Specification (SRS) is required to guide development and enable transparent, competitive, and performance-based procurement of software developers, in line with GCF standards.

Duties and responsibilities

To develop a comprehensive, technically robust, and implementation-ready Software Requirements Specification (SRS) for the SHARED Information System, including clearly defined functional and non-functional requirements, system architecture, data standards, long-term sustainability and quantifiable deliverables to support performance-based contracting of system developers.

The consultant/team will undertake, but not be limited to, the following tasks:

Stakeholder and System Needs Assessment

Identify and map key stakeholders (government, private sector, academia, communities, including vulnerable groups)
Conduct consultations with key stakeholders
Identify user categories, roles, and system interaction pathways
Document use cases and user stories across scales (national to GN level)

Functional Requirements Definition

Define detailed functional modules including:

Data integration and management system
Decision Support System (DSS)
Multi-scale dashboards and visualization tools
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system
SLM and PES monitoring and coordination platform
Value chain and Market information system
Stakeholder interaction interface

Define workflows, data flows, and system logic

Non-Functional Requirements

System performance (response time, uptime ? 99%)
Scalability and modularity
Interoperability with national systems
Cybersecurity and data protection standards
User accessibility (mobile compatibility, low-bandwidth optimization)
Role-based access control

System Architecture Design

Develop high-level and detailed system architecture
Define technology stack options (preferably open-source)
Cloud/on-premises hybrid recommendations
Data storage, APIs, and integration protocols

Data Goverance Framework

Define data types, formats, metadata standards
Develop data governance and sharing protocols
Identify data sources and update frequencies (real-time, periodic)

Prototyping and Wireframes

Develop wireframes/mock-ups for key system interfaces
Design role-specific dashboards (policy makers, researchers, farmers)
Ensure usability, inclusiveness, and accessibility

Implementation and Phasing Plan

Develop a phased system development roadmap
Define modules for staged implementation
Identify dependencies and integration priorities
Identify risks and mitigation strategies

Performance Metrics and Payment Framework

Define quantifiable outputs and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each system module
Develop measurable acceptance criteria for deliverables
Propose a milestone-based payment structure linked to deliverables
Provide inputs for technical specifications for bidding documents

Education, knowledge and experience

Applicants should possess:
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, or related field
• Minimum 08 years of experience in information system design related activities
• Proven experience in developing SRS for multi-stakeholder platforms and and decision support systems
• Experience in geospatial systems, DSS, or environmental/climate data platforms is highly desirable
• Familiarity with open-source platforms and interoperable systems
• Demonstrated experience in results-based project design and donor-funded projects

The consultant/team will report to the ICRAF country office and work closely with designated technical working groups and partner institutions.

Ownership and Confidentiality
All outputs, including the SRS and associated materials, shall remain the property of the GCF Knuckles Project. The consultant shall ensure the confidentiality of all data and information accessed during the assignment.

Key Considerations
• The SRS must be clear, modular, and procurement-ready
• All requirements must be measurable and testable
• The document must enable fair, transparent, and performance-based bidding
• Emphasis should be placed on long-term sustainability, interoperability, and scalability

Proposal Submission Requirements

Applicants are required to submit:
• Technical proposal including methodology for SRS development
• Work plan and timeline
• Financial proposal
• Relevant experience and past work

Terms and conditions

Terms and conditions
• This is a consultancy position
• The assignment is expected to be completed within 16 weeks of the date of contract signing.
• Work location: Sri Lanka Application process
• The application deadline is 9 April 2026, 12.00 pm IST/1.30 pm WIB
• We will acknowledge all applications, but will only contact short?listed applicants.
• CIFOR-ICRAF reserves the right to modify the number of positions, location, or cancel the hiring as necessary Applicants are required to submit: Technical Proposal
• Draft SRS development
• Conceptual system design
• Innovation features (optional enhancements)
• Work plan and timeline Financial Proposal
• Detailed cost breakdown Experience
• Relevant past projects
• Team composition
To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org
CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.