Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project

Expression of Interest (EOI)

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

 Senior Software Architect to support the National ID Program at the Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project (P179040).

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

DIGITAL ID PROJECT

1. Background

In Dec 2023, the Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank Group signed the financial agreement for the Ethiopia Digital ID Project. Digital ID is a USD 350 million, five-year initiative (2023-2029). The Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project (P179040) will support the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to roll out Fayda, an inclusive and trusted digital foundational ID system and other digital public infrastructure. The Project will improve access to and delivery of public and private sector services and economic opportunities, especially for the most vulnerable, and to boost national resilience.

The project pursues a holistic and multi-sectoral approach to digital development towards building a safe digital economy through five components. Component 2 focuses on Establishing Scalable and Secure Fayda ICT infrastructure, which includes software and biometric technologies.

2. Objective

NIDP has developed a digital identification platform named Fayda based on the Modular Open-Source Identification Platform (MOSIP). The project is ongoing and scaling up its operations. As part of expanding the existing technical capabilities, the NIDP is looking for an experienced Senior Software Architect to focus on technologies and solutions that are used to construct the MOSIP (Fayda) platform including each module at the back end as well as front facing applications.

3. Main Responsibilities

Overall, the Senior Software Architect will lead the software development and integration teams as well as guide all integration efforts to establish functional interfaces with internal subsystems external (partner) systems. Accordingly, this role is expected to take the front line on all development and integration issues and challenges. A critical and timely understanding of interface specifications and implementations as well as the proper utilization approaches on biometric technologies is expected. The role requires identifying, validating, and implementing the best sustainable integration options for the core identification platform. External systems include databases such as civil registries as well as those belonging to various sectors, including health, education, financial services and tax systems.

Specific responsibilities for the Senior Software Architect will include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

1) Lead the Transition Process to the New Version of the IDMS platform (MOSIP 1.2 - LTS):

• Review existing customizations and design documents linked to the NID program.
• Evaluate alternative implementation for planned modules (updates) and guide in selecting the best alternative (approach and tools).
• Suggest and Design Improvements on different core subsystems of the platform (such as the Registration Processor, ID Authentication, Key Management, and Data-sharing Infrastructure)
• Explore better alternatives to technologies utilized for tasks outside the main functions such as Messaging, Access control, Auditing, and Printing)
• Consult on the proper ways of incorporating best practices into the working components by consulting the technical team as well as third party technical partners.
• Provide guidance for technical decisions and consult on the preparation and maintenance of the technological methods and steps that optimize the use of limited infrastructure resources.
• Based on Roadmap of the project guide and lead the steps in which updates to existing platform components (such as Registration Processor, Data Sharing Services, and Client Side Biometric Tools) as well as upcoming full-fledged modules relevant to the ID Authentication.
• Technically Assist and guide the NIDP technology team in maintaining a smooth and stable transition to the MOSIP LTS (V1.2) version of the platform.

2) Ensure and Maintain a Sustainable Mechanism for Systems Integration for the Long Term

• As there are different scenarios for integration, the Senior Software Architect shall review current integration API's and devise variant solutions that can address important differences among partners.
• Propose design improvements on the current partner management module considering all partners other than Relying Parties (such as Authentication Service Providers)
• Directly follow-up the technical team’s day-to-day work and ensure that all technology teams (including database team) develop seamlessly aligned work for smooth management of changes and updates.
• Mentor development teams, identifying strengths, problem areas, and developing training / coaching plans for improving capacity and performance
• Regularly evaluate and make technical risk assessment on implemented tools and technologies and advise on appropriate mitigation approaches.
• Supervise the technical design documentation process for correctness and timeliness.
• Prepare technical specifications for credential wallets based off of the Fayda ID

4. Qualifications Requirements

The ideal candidate for the role of Senior Software Architect will bring the following competencies and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical discipline, including Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering.
• Over 15 years of extensive experience in the software industry, specializing in the design and development of both desktop and web-based applications
• 6+ years of dedicated involvement in designing and developing various modules within MOSIP (Modular Open Source Identification Platform), and served as the lead architect across multiple modules in MOSIP
• Leading experience on the development, integration and implementation of an Identification platform based on MOSIP.
• Familiarity and working experience on Agile Project and Program Management Methodologies and experience with relevant tools such as Atlassian Jira and Confluence.
• Demonstrated knowledge on integrating the central identification platform (MOSIP) with more than one type of Biometric Device technologies and multiple ABIS solutions
• Proficient on the following Areas, Technologies and tools:

o Web Development: Proficient in SpringBoot, Microservices architecture, Hibernate, JPA, Jersey REST services, WebSub, Spring AOP, Interceptors, Spring Cloud, Spring Validation, and Servlets.

o  Security: Expertise in OAuth2, OpenID Connect, Spring Security, Keycloak, JWT, JWS, Encryption, Decryption, and SSL.

o   UI Development: Experienced in Eclipse RCP, E4, OSGi Services, SWT/JFace, Swing, JavaFX, and AngularJS.

o  Programming & Scripting Languages: Skilled in Java 17, Scala, Python, C, Shell Script, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

o   Database: Proficient with SQL, Spring Data JPA, Hibernate, as well as working knowledge of Postgres, MySQL, H2, and sqlite.

o   Unit Testing: Proficient in JUnit, Postman, JMeter, Mockito, and PowerMockito.

o   Code Review Tools: Experienced in PMD, Sonarqube, GitHub, and Fortify Scan.

o Logging & Monitoring: Familiar with Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana, Prometheus, and Grafana.

o   Source Control: Experienced in SVN, git, and git bash.

o   IDEs: Proficient in Eclipse, IntelliJ, and Notepad++.

o   CI/CD: Experienced in GitHub Workflow Actions, Docker, Kubernetes, Rancher, Jenkins, LGTM, and Travis.

o   SDLC: Well-versed in Agile - Scrum methodologies using Jira.

o   Defect Trackers: Experienced in JIRA, Bugtracker, and GitHub.

o Others: Familiar with XML, JSON, SQL, UML, Draw.io, Mermaid.live, and Stoplight.io.

5. Duration of Consultancy

The Senior Software Architect will be recruited for an initial period of one year, renewable on the first anniversary subject to performance and organizational needs.  This is a full-time position based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Even though in-person presence is necessary, partial remote work can be possible based on negotiations.

6. Remuneration

Attractive/Negotiable and depends on qualification and experience of the candidate.

7. Reporting

The individual consultant will be directly reporting to the Technical Director of the NIDP.

8. Selection Method

The selection method is based on para 7.36 and 7.37 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulation.

The attention of interested individual is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”) revised November 2017, August 2018, September 2023, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest

An individual will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant (Section V) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained, by email or through phone at the address below during office hours from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Addis Ababa time.

Applicants should send expressions of interest, together with information demonstrating that they have the required qualification and relevant experience to perform the service (description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, qualifications, and so forth) by providing CVs, formal application letter, credentials, and all supporting documents to the below by mail, on or before September 05, 2024.

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

National ID Program (NIDP)- Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project

Attn: Project Management Unit (PMU)

Address: Welosefer Bole, Ethio-China St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, INSA Building, 15th Floor

Tele- +251 91 165 5340   E-mail: mesfin@id.gov.et

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia