Consultant for GWOPA Portal Development

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency responsible for promoting socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Established by the UN General Assembly, UN-Habitat collaborates with governments, local authorities, and various partners to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The organization leads the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), which was created in 2009 to support water and sanitation operators through peer support partnerships aimed at enhancing their capacity and performance. The GWOPA Secretariat is currently hosted by the Government of Germany, and the organization operates globally, engaging with numerous countries to promote sustainable urban development.

Job Overview:
The consultancy role focuses on enhancing the GWOPA Portal, which serves as a critical tool for managing partnerships and improving the capacity of water and sanitation operators. The consultant will review existing functionalities of the Portal, including the Partnership Management Platform (PMP), WOPs Observatory, WOPs Profile, and GWOPA Membership modules. The enhancements will be guided by recommendations from various evaluations and user feedback, aiming to improve reporting and monitoring capabilities. The consultant will also be responsible for migrating the Portal to UN Azure Cloud Services and converting the existing CMS framework from WordPress to Drupal 10, ensuring that the Portal meets the evolving needs of its users and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Head of GWOPA and in collaboration with various teams to achieve the following deliverables: 1) Develop a Technical Specifications Document that outlines the requirements for the Portal enhancements based on evaluations and user feedback. 2) Redesign the GWOPA Portal to improve user interface and experience, ensuring it aligns with GWOPA's branding and thematic areas. 3) Enhance the PMP functionalities to effectively track project progress and simplify data entry processes. 4) Develop dashboards and reporting features that provide clear insights into project statuses and allow for customizable reporting. 5) Create an analytics module that supports diverse inquiries and meets GWOPA's information needs. 6) Migrate the Portal from WordPress to Drupal, integrating it with the new GWOPA website and hosting it on UN Azure Cloud Services. 7) Produce a user manual and training materials, and conduct training sessions for GWOPA staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in computer science, information technology, or a closely related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Training in web application development using Drupal and WordPress is essential, while technical training in graphic design or web development is desirable. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in developing and managing websites using CMS tools, practical knowledge of cloud application hosting, and familiarity with database management, particularly MySQL. Proficiency in web technologies such as HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP is required, along with experience in UI/UX design principles.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in computer science, information technology, or a closely related field is required for this position. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying experience. Training in web applications development, particularly in Drupal and WordPress, is also necessary for candidates to effectively fulfill the role's requirements.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in developing and managing websites using content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress and Drupal. Practical knowledge of hosting applications in cloud environments like AWS or Azure is required, along with familiarity with database management systems, especially MySQL. Experience with UN projects is desirable, as is demonstrated experience in UI/UX design principles and responsive web design.

Languages:
Fluency in written and oral English is required for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. A working knowledge of other UN official languages, such as French, is desirable and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of six months and is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The position does not involve any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants for applications, interviews, or training. This ensures that the recruitment process is accessible and equitable for all candidates.