Request for Proposals (RfP) - User Interface and Experience – SIS Redesign - Specification of Requirements/Terms of Reference

Sep 22, 2026

Request for Proposals (RfP) for a consultancy contract to redesign the IUCN Species Information Service (SIS) with a comprehensive UI/UX strategy and subsequent support through the system development life cycle. The document explains the SIS’s role in managing species assessments for the IUCN Red List and details the rationale for modernizing an aging system while preserving existing capabilities. It defines required activities including stakeholder consultations, in-person meetings, workshops in Cambridge, persona definition, scenario mapping, and user journey mapping to streamline assessment review and publication.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Preamble

Background

Scope of Work and Activities

Stakeholder Consultations

Workshops Facilitation

Define User Personas

Scenario Mapping

User Journey Maps

Request for Proposals (RfP) User Interface and Experience – SIS Redesign Specification of Requirements/Terms of Reference Preamble The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is seeking to completely rebuild the Red List’s Species Information Service (SIS) . The SIS is a critical database and application used to store and manage species assessments for publication on the IUCN Red List website. As the current system is outdated, the IUCN aims to develop a new tool that retains all current features while incorporating advanced UI/UX enhancements to meet modern standards and user expectations. Therefore, the IUCN wishes to award a consultancy contract to an experienced UI/UX agency to develop a UI/UX strategy and redesign for this application, in a way that facilitates user tasks and streamlines the assessment review and publication process. The UI/UX architecture should improve user experience, allowing both consistency across the various parts of the website while maintaining enough flexibility to allow future developments. The Contractor will be required to work according to the detailed Terms of Reference contained in the following sections. The Contractor must uphold high standards of professionalism in its work and interactions with IUCN internal and external stakeholders , including IUCN leadership. Background The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Embedded in our mission is the mandate to assess and report on the condition of animal species worldwide, which we accomplish through the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ™ . Central to this effort is the Species Information Service (SIS), a robust but aging system that facilitates the assessment and management of species data. Originally developed over a decade ago, the SIS has been instrumental in supporting the IUCN Red List’s goal of providing information and analyses on the status, trends, and threats to species to inform conservation decisions. However, technology and user expectations have evolved significantly since its inception. The existing system, while comprehensive, is outdated in both its technological framework and its user interface design, which impacts the efficiency and user experience of the conservationists, researchers, and administrators who interact with it. Recognizing these challenges, the IUCN is committed to modernizing the SIS by developing a new application that not only improves upon current functionality but also revolutionizes the user experience. This new system will incorporate all the reliable features of the current system, integrate advanced UI/UX enhancements to meet modern usability standards, and introduce new functionalities that address emerging needs in species assessments. This Request for Proposals (RfP) aims to identify a skilled UI/UX consultancy firm that can partner with IUCN to undertake this critical task. The project will be carried out in two phases: the first focusing on developing a comprehensive UI/UX strategy, and the second on supporting the implementation of this strategy through the system development life cycle. The UI/UX redesign of the SIS is not just a technical upgrade but a step towards enhancing global efforts in biodiversity conservation. The new system will play a crucial role in streamlining processes and improving the accessibility and effectiveness of the IUCN Red List, thereby helping to shape conservation policies and actions around the world. Scope of Work and Activities It is essential to clearly define the application’s concept before starting development. While there is room for refinement during the latter development phases, the fundamental structure of the application should be established at this stage. The chosen consultancy must therefore implement a thorough UI/UX strategy, which includes the following activities, to be implemented in part

FAQs

What is the purpose of this Request for Proposals (RfP)?

It seeks an experienced UI/UX consultancy firm to develop a UI/UX strategy and redesign for the IUCN Species Information Service (SIS), modernizing its interface and user experience while supporting assessment and publication workflows.

What is the scope of work expected from the contractor?

The contractor must implement a thorough UI/UX strategy in partnership with IUCN teams, including stakeholder consultations, facilitated workshops, user persona development, scenario mapping, and user journey mapping, with continued support during implementation.

How does the RfP plan to gather input from users and stakeholders?

It requires extensive consultations with conservationists, researchers, and administrative personnel, and expects at least two in-person meetings plus facilitated workshops to align project objectives with user needs and organizational goals.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Maya Linwood