Individual Consultant for Digital Platform Development

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth, and providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The position involves finalizing the development, design, operationalization, and management of a digital platform aimed at connecting universities across Africa. This platform will facilitate resource sharing, optimize faculty development programs, and promote collaboration in Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) initiatives. The consultant will also be responsible for developing a second digital platform focusing on Parenting in Africa, which aligns with UNICEF's commitment to supporting the African Union's parenting agenda. The role requires a minimum commitment of six months and includes training for the long-term platform manager and key users. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure the platforms meet their intended objectives and effectively support the academic community in Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Finalize the development and design of the digital platform for academia in Africa, ensuring it meets user needs and expectations.
• Operationalize the platform, including setting up necessary infrastructure and processes for effective management.
• Manage the platform during the initial launch phase, addressing any technical issues that arise.
• Train the long-term platform manager and key users on how to effectively use and manage the platform.
• Develop a second digital platform focused on Parenting in Africa, ensuring it aligns with UNICEF's goals and the needs of stakeholders.
• Collaborate with academic institutions and other partners to gather feedback and improve the platforms continuously.
• Organize annual summits to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among academia.
• Ensure compliance with web accessibility standards and best practices in digital platform development.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Software Development or a related field.
• At least 10 years of work experience in digital platform development, including creating, maintaining, and scaling software infrastructures.
• Proven experience in building secure, scalable, and automated solutions, including websites, apps, and API-driven systems.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN language (French or Arabic) is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of open-source development methodologies and a good standing in the open-source community.
• Experience with agile methodology and software ticketing systems (e.g., Jira, VSTS, GitHub).
• Demonstrated contributions to open-source projects and experience in functional and technical requirements gathering.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in Software Development or a similar relevant discipline is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure the consultant has the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for effective digital platform development and management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of work experience in digital platform development. This experience should include creating, maintaining, and scaling software infrastructures, as well as a strong understanding of web accessibility standards and agile methodologies. Additionally, experience in user-centered qualitative research and design thinking is highly desirable, particularly for the development of user-friendly digital platforms.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UN language, such as French or Arabic, is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for at least six months, with the possibility of extension based on project needs and performance. The position is open to both national and international candidates, and UNICEF encourages applications from diverse backgrounds. The organization promotes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and reasonable accommodations will be provided for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.