National Individual Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on ensuring that every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to promote the right of every individual to make informed choices about their reproductive health. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, particularly in areas related to family planning, maternal health, gender-based violence, and demographic change. UNFPA emphasizes the importance of principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, ensuring effective external relations and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development landscape.

Job Overview:
The National Individual Consultant position is a specialized technical role aimed at developing a national disability data ecosystem platform in Papua New Guinea. This role is crucial for addressing the significant data gaps related to disability, which hinder policymakers' ability to understand and respond to the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities. The consultant will be responsible for creating a secure web-based platform that facilitates the management and visualization of disability-related data, thereby enabling data-driven decision-making. The consultant will work closely with the Chief Technical Adviser and will be expected to bridge technical software engineering with inclusive design principles, ensuring that the platform is user-friendly and accessible to all stakeholders, including persons with disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will oversee the entire web platform development process, adhering to approved technical and functional specifications. This includes building both front-end and back-end components using technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Key responsibilities include developing functionalities for data input, retrieval, processing, filtering, visualization, and reporting, while implementing secure user authentication and role-based access control. The consultant must ensure compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1, optimizing the user interface for individuals with various disabilities. Additionally, the consultant will design secure database structures for storing disability data, enforce data validation mechanisms, manage data backup and recovery processes, and enable data extraction and export functionalities. Thorough testing for functionality, performance, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and accessibility will be required, including user testing workshops with representatives from the disability community. The consultant will also be responsible for creating comprehensive technical documentation, user manuals, and conducting training workshops to facilitate knowledge transfer to in-house staff for ongoing maintenance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree (Bachelor's Degree) in Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, or a related field. A minimum of five years of proven experience in web application development is required, with strong skills in both front-end and back-end development frameworks using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Experience implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 and direct experience in database design and secure data handling are essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required. Experience working on social impact projects, with government institutions, or with the United Nations is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a first-level university degree, specifically a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a closely related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary technical knowledge and skills to effectively develop and manage the national disability data ecosystem platform.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in web application development. Candidates should have a strong background in both front-end and back-end development frameworks, demonstrating a high level of proficiency in technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Experience in implementing accessibility standards and secure data handling practices is crucial, as is familiarity with database design. Previous work on social impact projects or with governmental and international organizations, particularly the United Nations, is highly desirable and will be viewed favorably during the selection process.

Languages:
A high level of proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication is essential for collaboration with stakeholders and the successful execution of the project. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the communities served by the project.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position offers an attractive remuneration package, which includes a competitive net salary along with health insurance and other applicable benefits. The work environment at UNFPA is designed to reflect values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. UNFPA is committed to achieving gender parity and encourages women and individuals from underrepresented groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, and persons with disabilities, to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. The selection and appointment process may involve background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees related to the application or recruitment process.