OSC designs and implements innovative information and communications technology (ICT) solutions that accelerate development, strengthen resilience, and scale to large populations. OSC’s technology solutions are people-centric; they are developed in consultation with end users so they are culturally appropriate and accessible by local communities. By this approach, OSC ensures developed technologies are long-lasting, scalable, and replicable.
OSC’s technology expertise stems from vast strategic communications experience in the world’s most fragile environments. Our technology solutions focus on four main areas:
- Audience Reach: Because of this experience, OSC has the unique ability to conduct audience research in local contexts, understanding the nuances of both culture and lifestyle. OSC tailors content and digital strategies in order to engage and grow audiences.
- Design and Development: OSC designs interfaces that are intuitive to use and learn so they can be adopted quickly. OSC’s understanding of low- and no-bandwidth environments guide our development of technology solutions, which include open source platforms, content management systems, and mobile applications.
- Mobile: OSC employs a mobile-first approach to its platform development in order to reach this growing audience. OSC’s mobile solutions include custom apps, targeted messaging hotlines, closed user groups (CUGs), and interactive SMS campaigns.
- Data: New technologies make it possible to collect and analyze data on a larger scale than ever before. OSC collects, aggregates, and manages data from a wide variety of sectors, including health, governance, food security, and vulnerable populations. OSC produces meaningful and attractive data visualizations and infographics for use on websites and social media.
Audience Reach
audience research
content strategy
social media strategy
digital metrics
digital marketing
brand development
content management
user experience
Design and Development
user interface design
infographics
open source platforms
content strategy
online communities/collaboration
mobile applications
content management platforms
Mobile
mobile applications
responsive web design
mobile data collection
hotlines/CUGs
mHealth
interactive SMS campaigns
Data
data collection
data portals
data visualizations
data warehousing
spatial data
OSC successfully led a major redesign of the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) website, the global “go-to” food security information hub which houses data and analysis from four major U.S. Government partners, United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and National Aeronatical and Space Administration (NASA). OSC is leading the initiative to centralize all partner data and make it publicly available via an open data portal and dashboard.
In Afghanistan, OSC built an online monitoring and evaluation data portal which aggregates data collected on mobile devices in an austere environment. As part of its multi-channel behavior change efforts in Armenia, OSC coordinated a nation-wide SMS campaign to reach more than one million mobile phone owners per month with health-related messages. In Democratic Republic of Congo, OSC is increasing demand for health information, products, and services through a multi-channel approach using SMS messaging and community-based hotlines on established closed user groups (CUGs).
By carefully integrating technology with traditional behavior change tools, OSC builds dialogue and drives improved awareness of government and donor initiatives across countries, regions, and continents. OSC’s technology tools enrich and extend conversations that are already taking place, and open up new spaces for productive engagement. OSC permanently embeds ICT into the fabric of local communications landscapes by building local capacity to design, launch, and maintain technology initiatives from day one. The end result is a better-informed citizenry capable of constructively engaging public officials and local institutions that proactively reach out to their constituents.
ICT Portfolio
