Application Developer (Frontend & Backend)

Develop and maintain applications for public health surveillance.

WHO - World Health Organization

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Application deadline in 1 day: Friday 24 Jul 2026 at 00:00 UTC

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Overview

Develop and maintain applications for public health surveillance.

You have:

  • At least 6 months of experience in application development using modern frontend and backend technologies is desirable.
  • Strong knowledge of React.js, React Context API/Redux, TypeScript/JavaScript, Python (FastAPI), PostgreSQL, and RESTful API development.
  • Basic understanding of SQLAlchemy/SQLModel, Redis, RabbitMQ, and microservices architecture.
  • Python programming skills.
  • Familiarity with HTML5, CSS3, responsive design, and Tailwind CSS or Material UI.
  • Experience with Git, GitHub/GitLab, and Agile development practices.
  • Basic understanding of software testing and debugging techniques.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Self-owned high configured laptop is required.
  • Preferred age range: 24–40 years.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The UN Volunteer will be embedded within the Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) Unit of the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Bangladesh and will work closely with the Management Information System (MIS), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The assignment supports the ongoing digital transformation of the Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) Surveillance System, with a particular focus on the development and operationalization of a digital Measles Outbreak and Case-Based Reporting System. The project aims to strengthen real-time disease surveillance, case notification, investigation, laboratory data integration, outbreak monitoring, and reporting through an integrated online platform.

Key stakeholders include MIS-DGHS, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), National Public Health Laboratories, WHO, and other development partners. The Application Developer will contribute to the design, development, integration, testing, and maintenance of frontend and backend components of the surveillance platform, ensuring interoperability with national health information systems and supporting data-driven public health decision-making.

The expected outcomes include improved timeliness and quality of surveillance data, enhanced outbreak detection and response, streamlined reporting processes, strengthened data integration across systems, and increased availability of real-time dashboards and analytics to support Bangladesh's measles elimination and VPD control objectives.

The incumbent will be stationed in Dhaka to perform following activities:

• Develop responsive web applications using React.js and TypeScript/JavaScript. • Build reusable UI components using React Context API or Redux. • Develop secure RESTful APIs using FastAPI. • Integrate frontend applications with backend APIs and PostgreSQL databases. • Develop dashboards, reports, charts, maps, and data visualization modules. • Implement authentication and authorization using JWT/OAuth2. • Design and maintain PostgreSQL databases and ORM models. • Experience in developing and deploying full-stack applications, implementing authentication mechanisms, integrating APIs, and designing relational databases; • Support the implementation of caching, message queuing, and scalable system architecture where applicable • Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code. • Perform unit testing, debugging, and issue resolution. • Use Git for version control and collaborative development. • Assist in application deployment, maintenance, and performance optimization. • Collaborate with the Full Stack Application Developer on feature development, integration, testing, and bug fixing. • Any other relevant task assigned by supervisor.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

• At least 6 months of experience in application development using modern frontend and backend technologies is desirable. Fresh graduates with demonstrated programming skills (with at least 200 solved problems on platforms such as Codeforces, LeetCode, or CodeChef. etc), and a strong portfolio of software development projects may also apply Etc.).

• Strong knowledge of React.js, React Context API/Redux, TypeScript/JavaScript, Python (FastAPI), PostgreSQL, and RESTful API development.

• Basic understanding of SQLAlchemy/SQLModel, Redis, RabbitMQ, and microservices architecture.

• Python programming skills

• Familiarity with HTML5, CSS3, responsive design, and Tailwind CSS or Material UI.

• Experience with Git, GitHub/GitLab, and Agile development practices.

• Basic understanding of software testing and debugging techniques.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Self-owned high configured laptop is required.

• Preferred age range: 24–40 years.

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another.

Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a web application project you developed and your role in it? The interviewer wants to understand your practical experience in web development. Detail a specific project, your contributions, and the technologies used.
What is your approach to debugging code and resolving issues? This question assesses your problem-solving and debugging skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you implement secure authentication in a web application? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to adapt to a change in project requirements. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure that your code is maintainable and well-documented? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What tools do you use for version control and why? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach unit testing in your projects? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you explain your understanding of RESTful API development? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 4 days ago - Updated 5 hours ago - Source: unv.org