Volunteer Developer

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF is a global organization dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to education, especially in crisis situations. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, working tirelessly to provide support and resources to children and families in need. The organization focuses on various areas, including education, health, nutrition, and protection, aiming to improve the lives of children and their communities. UNICEF's mission is to enable continuous access to education for children, youth, and teachers worldwide, driving improved learning outcomes through high-quality, portable education that supports their entry into other educational or opportunity pathways.

Job Overview:
The Volunteer Developer position is designed for individuals who are passionate about coding and education. The role involves reviewing and improving an open-source project primarily built in C#/.NET, with additional components in JavaScript/TypeScript, CSS, T-SQL, and PowerShell. Volunteers will engage in a collaborative environment, working closely with the Learning Passport team at UNICEF to enhance the educational resources available to children affected by crises. The expectations include reviewing code on GitHub, suggesting improvements, estimating efforts for new features, and identifying potential risks or dependencies. Volunteers will also support documentation efforts and utilize tools like GitHub Copilot and Replit Ghostwriter to explore and prototype code features. This role is crucial in ensuring that the educational tools developed are effective, user-friendly, and accessible to those in need.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review existing code on GitHub and provide constructive feedback for improvements.
• Suggest enhancements and optimizations to the current codebase.
• Estimate the effort required for implementing new features and identify any associated risks or dependencies.
• Assist in the documentation of the project to ensure clarity and usability for future developers.
• Utilize tools such as GitHub Copilot, Copilot Chat/Agents, GitHub Spark, or Replit Ghostwriter to explore, explain, and prototype new code features.
• Submit fixes, improvements, or small features through pull requests to the main repository.
• Collaborate with other volunteers and team members to ensure the project aligns with UNICEF's mission and objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Proficiency in C#/.NET and familiarity with JavaScript/TypeScript, CSS, T-SQL, and PowerShell.
• Experience with version control systems, particularly Git and GitHub.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills to articulate ideas and suggestions clearly.
• A passion for education and a commitment to improving learning outcomes for children in crisis situations.

Educational Background:
A background in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is preferred. Candidates should have a solid understanding of programming principles and practices, as well as experience with the technologies mentioned in the job overview.

Experience:
While formal work experience is not strictly required, candidates should have practical experience in software development, either through academic projects, internships, or personal projects. Familiarity with open-source contributions is a plus, as it demonstrates an understanding of collaborative coding environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as all documentation and communication will be conducted in English. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly Spanish, is advantageous but not required.

Additional Notes:
This is a volunteer position, and as such, it may not offer financial compensation. The role is expected to be part-time, allowing flexibility for volunteers to manage their time effectively while contributing to a meaningful cause. The position is open to individuals from various backgrounds, and international applicants are welcome to apply.