UNITAC is currently engaged in a three-year project titled "Just transitions in vulnerable places - Digital solutions for more climate resilient informal areas in Namibia". This initiative aims to enhance the digital and data capacity of national and local governments in Namibia. One of the project’s primary objectives is to work with towns, such as Rehoboth, Rundu, Helao Nafidi, Opuwo, and the City of Windhoek and support them with data-driven decision-making and the implementation of innovative digital solutions.
Ideation phase
Through ongoing dialogue and collaborative brainstorming sessions, we identified Rehoboth's digital and data needs, particularly the demand for an integrated data management system. To further refine this concept, the UNITAC team organized a full-day ideation workshop with colleagues from Rehoboth Town Council in April 2024, employing a design thinking approach. The event included training on data governance, brainstorming sessions to review user stories and requirements, and paper prototyping sessions. Through these activities, we detailed the concept of a digital information management system to address the lack of standardized job cards, and the challenges associated with paper-based data management across different offices.
Digital Job Card App
User testing
In August 2024, we conducted our first round of user testing for the Digital Job Card App. The session was structured in three parts: a demonstration and presentation of the application, hands-on field testing in Rehoboth, and a feedback session. Participants had the opportunity to use the application in real-world scenarios, capturing issues in designated areas around Rehoboth. The practical experience provided valuable insights into the application's functionality and areas for improvement.
Feedback from the Rehoboth team was generally positive, with users appreciating the application's interface. They also provided constructive suggestions for enhancements, including adding fields for job start and end times, implementing automatic ID number assignments, and making photo uploads mandatory for job completion. These suggestions are being considered for incorporation in future iterations of the application.
The Digital Job Card App represents a step towards more efficient urban management in Rehoboth. It demonstrates how starting small with simple, customizable technology can help towns like Rehoboth digitalize their services at their own pace. Its versatile design allows for adaptation to various business processes, from application forms and water leakage reporting to electricity meter reading, providing a flexible platform for gradual digital transformation in small urban centers.
By standardizing and digitalizing data collection, we aim to enable more informed decision-making that can contribute to resilient urban management strategies. As we continue to refine this tool based on user feedback and practical implementation, we look forward to potentially extending its use to other partner towns in the future.
Author: Dora Hegyi (UNITAC)
Date published: 25.09.2024
In case of questions contact: unitac@un.org
