Accessibility & Quality Assurance Volunteers

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization that aims to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. Established in 1993, UNDP has been actively involved in Uzbekistan, implementing numerous projects in collaboration with the national government, businesses, civil society, and academic institutions. The organization focuses on building a modern, prosperous, and democratic society in Uzbekistan, aligning its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the national Development Strategy for 2017-202

• UNDP has played a crucial role in modernizing government systems, enhancing market economy structures, and addressing ecological challenges, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. UNDP is recognized as Uzbekistan's primary development partner and a key member of the UN Family, working closely with various UN agencies and international donors to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The Accessibility & Quality Assurance Volunteers will be integral to the Tech Volunteers for Resilience (Tech4R) initiative, which aims to enhance resilience, inclusivity, and sustainable development through skilled volunteer contributions. This specific role focuses on the Multilingual Website Synchronization for the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Uzbekistan. Volunteers will be tasked with ensuring that the national GEF SGP website is accessible and user-friendly across multiple languages, including Uzbek, Russian, and English. The initiative seeks to address existing inconsistencies and improve accessibility features to ensure equal access for all users. Volunteers will conduct comprehensive testing of the website, review its structure and content for compliance with web accessibility standards (WCAG), and collaborate with content teams to enhance the overall user experience. This role is an opportunity to contribute to a significant project that directly impacts communities and promotes sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Accessibility & Quality Assurance Volunteers include: conducting thorough testing of the GEF SGP Uzbekistan website to assess its accessibility and usability; reviewing the website's structure, color contrast, and text readability to ensure compliance with WCAG guidelines; identifying inconsistencies, missing sections, or errors across the multilingual versions of the site; verifying the presence and accuracy of alt text, image captions, and navigational components to support accessibility; collaborating with the Web Editing and Content teams to report identified issues and track the implementation of fixes; and preparing a concise summary report detailing findings and recommendations for website improvements. Volunteers will play a crucial role in enhancing the website's inclusivity and usability for diverse user groups.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Accessibility & Quality Assurance Volunteers position should possess a strong understanding of web accessibility standards, particularly WCAG guidelines. They should have experience in website testing and quality assurance processes, as well as familiarity with multilingual content management. Strong analytical skills are essential for identifying issues and proposing effective solutions. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively collaborate with team members and report findings. A proactive attitude and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team are also important for this role.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, a background in web development, digital accessibility, computer science, or a related field is highly desirable. Candidates should have a solid understanding of web technologies and design principles, as well as experience with accessibility tools and testing methodologies. Relevant certifications in web accessibility or usability testing would be advantageous.

Experience:
Volunteers are expected to have prior experience in web testing, quality assurance, or digital accessibility. Familiarity with the principles of inclusive design and user experience (UX) is also beneficial. Experience working in a collaborative environment, particularly within non-profit or international development contexts, will be an asset. While this is a volunteer position, candidates should demonstrate a commitment to social impact and community service through their previous work or volunteer experiences.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication for this role. Knowledge of Uzbek and Russian is highly desirable, as the project involves working with multilingual content. Volunteers should be able to effectively communicate findings and collaborate with team members in these languages to ensure comprehensive accessibility across all versions of the website.

Additional Notes:
This is an unpaid volunteer assignment, and candidates should be aware that it is not an employment opportunity. The assignment offers valuable experience in international collaboration and mentorship, as well as skills development in real-world UN-driven projects. Volunteers will receive private insurance coverage for health, dental, life, and dismemberment during the assignment. Additionally, they will be awarded a Certificate of Service upon completion of their volunteer work, which can enhance their professional profile. The role is part of the Tech4R programme, which mobilizes skilled digital volunteers to create open-source solutions that strengthen disaster resilience.