Development of new modules within an existing website

1.  Entity Background

About Smart Municipality Academy (SMA),

At SMA, our vision of "Empowering Lebanon: A Vision of Sovereign Governance and Strong Local Communities" guides our mission to advocate for sovereign, strong, and fair governance at the national level, simultaneously empowering and strengthening local communities. Our commitment to inclusivity, reflected in initiatives like an interactive website, training programs, and educational sessions, actively involves youth, persons with disabilities, women, and the elderly.

Our objectives encompass a broad spectrum, from promoting sovereign governance and strengthening local communities to advocating for fairness and justice, capacity building, public awareness, municipal empowerment, community-centric governance, citizenship, inclusivity, civic engagement initiatives, local initiatives development, transparency, and fighting corruption.

2. Project Background

D-TOWNHALL project brief

Implemented under the DRI’ project sub-grants, the D-TOWNHALL project aims to integrate a new feature on an existing Website for Local Economy, promoting positive changes and creating a database for potential expertise to contribute to local development. This aligns with the decentralization principle, empowering communities for self-sufficiency and a resilient local economy. The main objective of D-TOWNHALL is to increase civic engagement and empower youth by strengthening municipalities and fostering good governance principles through proactive decentralization. This approach will create a more engaged, empowered, and well-governed society.

3. Scope of Work

SMA is seeking a website developer for a new online platform feature facilitating interaction among residents and local service providers.

Duration:

The duration is 4 months, starting 10th of August 2024.

The Service Provider’s (SP) dashboard encompasses key features such as:

• Engagement Modules:
  • Service Provider Page:

• Dedicated pages for each local provider to showcase services and publications.
• Customizable profile sections for local providers to highlight their services and working time availability.
• Integration with residents to enhance communication.
• Integration of a “HELP ME” feature for quick or emergency services.
  • User Engagement:
• Normal Users can search and view service providers
• Registered Users can search, view, interact (send requests, leave ratings).
• Service Providers can manage their profiles and receive requests.
• Mechanism for citizens to request a service, and to provide feedback (rating grade) on SP service quality.
  • Help Me Service:
• Registered Users:

• Can send help requests based on their COS (Criteria Of Service).

• Service Providers:

• Receive and respond to help requests.

• Admin:

• Manage notification delays and request handling logic.

• Users Profile and Flow:

• Normal User Flow:
  • Access Website: Users visit the site to explore its features and navigate easily.
  • Search/Browse Service Providers: Users can search or browse providers by category, location, or name, and view highlighted or new providers and special offers.
  • View Profiles: Users can see detailed provider profiles, including contact info, services offered, operating hours, and images.
  • Filter/Sort: Users can filter providers by ratings, distance, and availability, and sort by rating, popularity, or newest.
  • Save/Bookmark: Users can save providers for future reference without registration.
  • Limitations: Normal users can't send urgent requests, leave ratings, or access premium features.
  • Encouragement to Register: Prompts and incentives encourage users to register for additional features like sending requests and leaving reviews.Touristic Maps:
• Registered User Flow:
  • Registration: Users sign up, select a subscription plan (COS), and verify their identity via email or SMS.
  • Profile Setup: Users complete their profile with basic details, location, notification preferences, and subscription information.

• • Use Services:
    • Search/Browse Providers: Users search or browse service providers by category, location, or name, view profiles with detailed info, and see ratings and comments.
    • Send "HELP ME" Requests: Users select a service, provide details, and confirm location. Providers are notified, and users receive updates on request status.
    • Leave Ratings/Comments: Users rate and comment on services, with options to edit or delete comments and for providers to respond.
• Service Provider Flow:
  • Registration: Service providers sign up, select a subscription plan (COS), and verify their identity via email or SMS.
  • Profile Setup: Providers complete their profile with business details, location, operating hours, coverage areas, services/products, social media links, and subscription information.
  • Manage Services:
    • Profile Management: Providers update their profile, business hours, coverage areas, and help availability.
    • Respond to "HELP ME" Requests: Providers receive and manage help requests, accepting or declining based on availability.
    • Advertise Services/Products: Providers add, edit, or remove services/products within their COS limits.
    • Receive Notifications: Providers get notifications for help requests, subscription renewals, and approvals for new services/products.
• Admin Controls: Admin Controls enable extensive management over Class of Services (COS) and service providers:
  • COS Management: Create and customize multiple COS with specific features and limitations.
  • Subscription Management: Set expiration dates, send renewal reminders, and define renewal options.
  • Bulk Updates: Modify multiple service provider profiles simultaneously.
  • Service/Product Management: Control service/product lists and their inclusion in the "HELP ME" feature.
  • Service Provider Profile Controls:
    • Rating and Comments: Enable/disable user feedback per service or provider.
    • Help Management: Define help duration and availability for the "HELP ME" service.
    • Notification Settings: Configure delays for notifying service providers about new help requests.
    • Approval Process: Monitor and approve new services/products added by providers.
    • Financial Management: Manage subscription fees, expiration dates, and renewal charges.

4. Technical Specifications:

• • Web Development Technologies:
• Frontend Framework:

1. React JS for the development of the platform's dynamic and interactive user interface.
2. Responsive design principles to ensure optimal user experience across various devices and screen sizes.

• Backend Framework:

1. PHP for server-side scripting and backend development.
2. Utilization of modern PHP frameworks for efficient code organization and scalability.

• Database Management:

1. SQL Server as the relational database management system (RDBMS) to store and manage data efficiently.
2. Database design to ensure normalized structures for seamless data retrieval and manipulation.

• API Integration:

1. Utilization of public APIs for specific functionalities such as maps.
2. Secure API key management and adherence to best practices for data retrieval and integration.

• Security Measures:

1. Implementation of HTTPS protocol to encrypt data transmitted between the server and users.
2. Input validation and data sanitization to prevent security vulnerabilities.
3. Regular security audits and updates to address emerging threats.

• Scalability and Performance:

1. Deployment on a scalable infrastructure to accommodate increasing user loads.
2. Caching mechanisms and optimization techniques for improved performance.

• Cross-Browser Compatibility:

1. Compatibility testing across major web browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge) to ensure consistent functionality.

• Mobile Responsiveness:

1. Responsive design implementation for seamless user experience on mobile devices.
   • Documentation:

• Comprehensive documentation outlining the architecture, code structure, and API usage for future reference and team collaboration.
  • Testing:
• Rigorous testing procedures, including unit testing, integration testing to ensure robust functionality and identify and rectify any issues.
  • Deployment:
• Automated deployment processes for streamlined updates and releases.
• Rollback procedures in case of deployment issues.
  • Continuous Monitoring:
• Implementation of monitoring tools to track system performance, identify potential bottlenecks, and address issues proactively.
  • Backup:
• Implementation of a scheduled and automated backup system to regularly capture the entire database, application code, and any relevant configuration files.
• Secure storage of backup files in an offsite location to prevent data loss.

5. Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected developer will be tasked with:

• Develop and implement the front-end and back-end architecture of a new Service Provider yellow page.
• Ensure secure user authentication and manage user profiles.
• Create engagement modules including citizen feedback mechanisms.
• Implement robust security measures including HTTPS protocol, input validation, and regular security audits.
• Ensure cross-browser compatibility and mobile responsiveness.
• Provide comprehensive documentation and conduct rigorous testing.
• Manage automated deployment and continuous monitoring.
• Implement a reliable backup system with offsite storage.
• Collaborate with the solution architect.
• Coordinate with SMA staff (Project Manager) to ensure that the work met our expectation.

Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.

Professional Experience

• Proven experience in web development using React JS and PHP.
• Experience with SQL Server or similar RDBMS.
• Experience in creating secure, scalable, and responsive websites, ideally for municipal applications.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React JS).
• Proficiency in back-end technologies (PHP, SQL).
• Knowledge of API integration and management.
• Familiarity with security protocols and best practices.
• Experience with automated deployment processes and continuous monitoring tools.