Systems Development Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is a collaborative initiative between UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and DRC (Danish Refugee Council), focusing on regional protection monitoring across West and Central Africa. This initiative, known as Project 21 (P21), aims to enhance evidence-based protection responses in displacement-affected contexts by mobilizing humanitarian partners to collect and analyze protection data. The organization emphasizes the importance of accurate, timely, and actionable insights derived from diverse datasets to address complex humanitarian and development challenges. P21 is designed to implement a sustainable, standardized data management and processing system, ensuring data quality and institutional memory for the project. The organization operates in multiple countries across West and Central Africa, leveraging collaborative efforts to improve protection mechanisms for vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The Systems Development Specialist will play a crucial role in the Project 21 initiative by designing, developing, and implementing efficient systems for managing data collected in the region. The primary focus will be on migrating existing processes to the Microsoft Fabric platform and creating user-friendly data discovery and analysis tools. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the ability to analyze current data collection methods to define system specifications. The specialist will be responsible for ensuring data security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, integrity, and compliance while developing intuitive interfaces for both internal management and external data submission. The role is pivotal in empowering project teams and stakeholders with the necessary tools for effective data analysis and decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Systems Development Specialist will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including: conducting requirements gathering sessions with stakeholders to define system specifications; leading the migration of existing data storage and processing workflows to the Microsoft Fabric environment; writing clean, efficient, and well-documented code for functional systems; designing and managing reliable data pipelines for survey data; developing data models, reports, and interactive dashboards using Power BI; executing test plans to ensure system reliability and security; creating technical documentation and user manuals; and providing training and support to end-users. The specialist will also be expected to deliver a fully functional data management system, complete the migration of existing data, and produce a suite of data discovery tools within a six-month contract period.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in systems development, data engineering, or a similar role is required. Proven experience with cloud data platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure and/or Microsoft Fabric, is essential. Familiarity with developing data visualization tools and dashboards, especially using Power BI, is strongly preferred. Candidates should also have experience with the full SDLC and Agile development methodologies, as well as a solid understanding of web technologies and data lakes.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as computer science, Information Systems, or Software Engineering. This foundational education is critical for understanding the technical aspects of systems development and data management.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in systems development or data engineering. This experience should include working with cloud data platforms, specifically Microsoft Azure or Microsoft Fabric, and developing data visualization tools. Familiarity with the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Agile methodologies is also necessary, as it ensures that the candidate can effectively contribute to the project from inception to completion.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with French being a desirable additional language. Proficiency in both languages will enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and facilitate effective collaboration within the project.

Additional Notes:
This position is not remote and is based in Dakar, Senegal. It is classified under the UNOPS IICA1 staff member type, indicating a level of seniority appropriate for the responsibilities outlined. The contract duration is set for six months, with a target start date of January 1, 202

• The role is categorized under a hardship level A, indicating a relatively low hardship environment for staff. Regular progress reports and updates will be required to ensure alignment with project goals and timelines.