Software developer Consultant – Full Stack - MAAP

Consultant IT & Telecom

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, respect

South-South Cooperation, as underlined in the Framework of Operational Guidelines on United Nations support to South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), is defined as a “process whereby two or more developing countries pursue their individual and/or shared national capacity development objectives through exchanges of knowledge, skills, resources and technical know-how and through regional and interregional collective actions, including partnerships involving Governments, regional organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector, for their individual and/or mutual benefit within and across regions”.

During the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40), SSTC was highlighted as a key strategy to eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The importance of investment in the planning, monitoring, measuring and evaluation was also stressed as a key strategy to enhance SSTC.

In the context of the Brazilian Government, South-South Cooperation is understood as related to bilateral cooperation between two governments while those SSC arrangements that consist of different actors – developing countries, developed countries and/or International Organizations – are referred to as Trilateral South-South Cooperation (TSSC). As per the definition of the Brazilian Government, TSSC is based on the shared management among the different actors involved and the identified comparative advantages, and it may be implemented through different institutional arrangements such as: South-South-South; South-South-International Organization; “Trilateral +1”; and new formats of horizontal cooperation as well.

In 2011, the Government of Brazil and UNICEF joined forces to promote TSSC for children, based on Brazilian expertise and technical knowhow in the area of child rights. Formalized through the signing of a global Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties, the Brazil-UNICEF TSSC Programme has over the years engaged in cooperation with numerous partner countries from across the globe in all areas of the UNICEF mandate, while continuously seeking to improve the overall programme implementation, especially with regards to management, monitoring and evaluation, so as to ensure an ever more structured Programme with coherent strategies for the future and with concrete and measurable results and indicators.

As part of these efforts, the Programme has been investing in improved programming tools and guidelines, which include the recent development of a conceptual Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework (in 2019) and a subsequent Prototype MEL system (in 2021) for the Programme.

Such developments respond to the recommendations coming out of the external evaluation that was conducted in 2019, looking at 7 years of implementation with 16 countries. As part of the recommendations the evaluation called for the development of a functional MEL system for the Programme, to ensure progress are better monitored with well documented results, which in turn enable future evaluations and a continuous learning process.

How can you make a difference?

Drawing on the above introductory background, the purpose of this consultancy is to design and develop a functioning Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system for the TSSC Programme. This work will draw on the previously developed Prototype MEL System (as mentioned above) as well as corresponding programming tools (also developed in 2021 in conjuncture with the Prototype System), all of which will be shared with the consultant at the beginning of the contract.

The MEL system will be developed as an internal system and will thus not be accessible to the general public.

The consultant can work remotely under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Information and Communications Technology Officer (Product Owner) and in close collaboration with the UNICEF South-South Cooperation Officer. In addition, the consultant will also work in close collaboration with the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC).

The overall expected results are as follow:

1. Expected result #1

Support the software maintenance activities of the MEL platform and related technologies and provide small incremental updates.

Activities:

a) Improve the user experience of these platforms.

b) Monitor monthly the analyses with usage statistics of the MEL platform and send a report to the M&E team.

c) Monitor he performance of servers and the availability of the service, taking the necessary steps to restore normal operation in case of failure.

d) Fix bugs on a weekly basis.

e) Implement small improvements in the platform's functionalities, keeping it updated with possible changes in business requirements. Software releases related to this item must be made on a bimonthly basis.

2. Expected result #2

Support the technical planning and implementation of new modules related to MEL system, prioritized by the Monitoring and Evaluation area, to increase the availability of innovative solutions for UNICEF in Brazil.

Activities:

a) Support the development / establishment of a technological evolution roadmap, including planning the implementation of new complete modules to be integrated into the current platform or the development of completely new platforms.

b) Help maintain the backlog of pending issues and development progress on the ZenHub platform, keeping the information accurate and updated.

c) Technically and operationally support the preparation of technical materials / documentation - in accordance with organizational processes and management systems - to support the area of M&E in program planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results, including inputs for annual reporting and analysis.

d) Code the new modules and features. Incremental software releases related to this item should be done monthly and each major release every four months.

Deliverables:

Support the software development and maintenance activities of the MEL platform and related technologies and provide incremental updates.

• Support the technical planning and implementation of new modules related to MEL platform prioritized by the M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) area, to increase the availability of innovative solutions for UNICEF in Brazil.
• Identification and bug fix for MEL platform prioritized by the M&E area.

Performance Indicators:

For this innovation project we will use the SCRUM framework as project execution methodology. In SCRUM, development cycles occur every two weeks, based on demands prioritized by key stakeholders and the product owner at the beginning of each sprint (defined during the Sprint planning meetings).

The above results will be measured through functional software releases committed to UNICEF's private repository on GitHub and through periodic meetings with UNICEF M&E representatives, where the results will be presented and subject to formal approval. Therefore, twice a month we must wait for the delivery of a new set of features and once a month we must generate a new software version that will go live.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS OVERVIEW

1.1. Deliverable: Software release 2.0.

1.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

1.3. Deadline (final delivery date): July 30th 2023

1.4. Payment: 1/6 of contract fee

2.1. Deliverable: Software release 2.1.

1.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

1.3. Deadline (final delivery date): August 30th 2023

1.4. Payment: 1/6 of contract fee

3.1. Deliverable: Software release 2.2.

3.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

3.3. Deadline (final delivery date): September 30th 2023

3.4. Payment: 1/6 of contract fee

4.1. Deliverable: Software release 2.3.

3.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

3.3. Deadline (final delivery date): October 30th 2023

3.4. Payment: 1/6 of contract fee

5.1. Deliverable: Software release 2.4.

3.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

3.3. Deadline (final delivery date): November 30th 2023

3.4. Payment: 1/6 of contract fee

6.1. Deliverable: Software release 2.5.

3.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

3.3. Deadline (final delivery date): December 30th 2023

3.4. Payment: 1/6 of contract fee

The amounts to be paid will only be forwarded for completion upon delivery of each of the products registered above and after analysis and approval of the reports by the UNICEF supervisor of the contract.

During project execution, UNICEF will use a SCRUM methodology to ensure quality of results and good communication. One of the requirements for this is to have the development team (software developers, scrum master and designer) and the product owner working in the same environment, whenever it would be required by the supervisor.

DURATION OF CONTRACT

6 months

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Full stack developer

• Minimum 5 years of professional work experience on a national or international level as a key contributor to SW development projects.

• Must have knowledge at all stages of software development.

• Must be able to collaborate with the rest of the team to design and release new features.

• Experience in converting designs into visual elements.

• Understanding and implementing security and data protection.

• Desirable experience with the following framework / programming languages: Laravel / PHP.

• Proficient experience in using one or more advanced JavaScript libraries and frameworks such as AngularJS, Vue JS, ReactJS, etc.

• Experience with cloud messaging APIs and use of push notifications.

• Proficient knowledge of Git.

• Fluency in Portuguese is required.

• Solid knowledge of front-end technologies such as JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS3.

• Solid understanding of MVC and RESTful concepts.

• Ability to write clean, readable code.

• Ability to integrate multiple data sources and databases into one system.

• Experience with PostgreSql and/or MySql databases.

• Understanding the fundamental principles of SW design and architecture behind a scalable application.

• Able to create database schemas that represent and support business processes.

• Able to implement automated test platforms and unit tests.

• Familiarity with development aid tools such as Bower, Bundler, Rake, etc.

• Familiarity with continuous integration and ability to work to tight deadlines.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Portuguese – Fluent (mandatory)

English - Work knowledge (desirable)

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.
• A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants and individual contractors are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
• The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

UNICEF’s Core Values

Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)

To view our competency framework, please visit: UNICEF Values

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

• Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationery. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when needed.
• Consultant’s, travel costs should be included in the consultant’s fee.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant and mandatory courses are completed;
• Consultants will not have any representative, certifying, or approving authority, or supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• The consultant will work remotely on a delivery basis and prior authorization and/or clearance from UNICEF to engage in outside UNICEF activities is required.

Insurance and health coverage

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

Restrictions

• Consultants may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF. Notwithstanding, consultants must complete the applicable mandatory trainings before the signature of the contract;
• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Added 1 year ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: unicef.org