The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

Not Required - part of GPO/NYPO

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement defined activities in support of the Development Coordination Office (DCO).

In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the UN Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO assumed managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the collective ownership of the members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). Under the UN development system reform, a reinvigorated RC system has been rolled out since 2019 and has created new frameworks, instruments, tools and platforms to support the RC system, and enhance accountability and transparency.

To improve development coordination, facilitate data harmonization and demonstrate the UNSDG’s contribution to Agenda 2030, DCO established the online UN INFO system. 

UN INFO enables users to manage the data for a standard results framework based upon the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework guidance. Accurate data management and analysis of information within UN INFO is critical for accountability and transparency on the work and results of the UN development system and of the RC system.  UNINFO is also the main system for the UNCTs in their active engagement on the Efficiencies agenda, which enables cost effective sharing and use of resources within each country's context.

The Development Coordination Office (DCO) is committed to providing the Resident Coordinator System and the UN Sustainable Development Group with modern software platforms that facilitate efficient and effective development operations. 

Building upon an established foundation, DCO is now focused on enhancing, expanding, and evolving these platforms in-house. This approach allows for greater agility in responding to evolving policy and programming needs, ensuring alignment with the latest UN development reform mandates, including those related to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

The ICT Specialist - Software Development will work collaboratively with the core development team who are based remotely and also with colleagues in headquarters in New York and the UN Resident Coordinator Offices.

Within a team of front-end and back-end developers, the ICT Specialist will be working on web applications primarily using Typescript, Javascript, Express, Postgres, React JS, Docker, Kubernetes, Azure tools and environments. The project follows the Git workflow model and uses Gitlab for code management and releases. Developers are required to write comprehensive automated tests for code to ensure adequate coverage.  

In addition, the incumbent will also be expected to assist with the maintenance and support of any of DCO’s other digital systems.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Under the supervision of the ICT Senior Manager - Technology Innovation, the incumbent will be required to perform the following functions:

• New Feature Development: Design, develop, and implement new features and modules to address DCO’s identified business needs and priorities, ensuring alignment with DCO’s digital development standards.

• System Maintenance and Support: Analyze and develop solutions to issues reported by the business focal points.  These prioritized issues will include both bugs and feature enhancements and changes.

• Full-Stack Development: Utilize expertise in both frontend and backend technologies (Typescript, Node.js, ReactJS, PostgreSQL) to contribute across the entire technology stack and to maintain quality through automated tests.

• API Development/Integration: Design and develop public and private APIs for the UNINFO suite as well as to facilitate integration and consumption with other systems, and provide comprehensive documentation.

• AI development: Develop AI-enabled applications (Azure AI Foundry, Copilot Studio, Rovo, etc.) 

• Platform Enhancement: Analyze existing applications and identify opportunities for improvement in performance, scalability, security, and user experience.

• Data Visualization: Develop and integrate interactive data visualizations and dashboards using to effectively communicate insights from the UN INFO suite of tools.

• Collaboration: Work closely with a team of developers, participating in code reviews, sprint cycles, and knowledge-sharing activities.

• Technical Documentation: Create and maintain clear and concise technical documentation for developers and application administrators.

• Technical Support: Provide technical support to application administrators and data managers, assisting with user and data management, resolving bugs and troubleshooting.

• Cloud Technologies: Leverage cloud platforms (Azure) and tools (Docker) to ensure scalability, reliability, and security of applications.

• Stay Current: Remain informed about the latest trends and advancements in software development, continuously updating skills and knowledge.

Other Duties

• Function as an active member of the wider DCO development team, including regular knowledge interchange, joint events..

• Assist with Dev-ops tasks such as maintenance, configuration and support of the infrastructure on which the DCO applications sit.

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in information technology, information systems, information management, web development, database, engineering, or in a field related to the post description, with 5 (five) years of relevant experience is required; OR 

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent), preferably in information technology, information systems, information management, web development, database, engineering, or in a field related to the post description, with 7 (seven) years of relevant experience is required; OR

• A Secondary school diploma (or high school equivalent) with eleven (11) years of relevant experience is required.

Required:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in database-driven web application development and maintenance.

• Within the above required experience, a minimum of  3 (three) years of experience in developing with object-oriented JavaScript and JavaScript-based libraries, in particular Typescript, Node.JS or ReactJS to build dynamic and data driven websites and/or applications.

• Experience in developing with Node.js, Python, or other web application frameworks.

• Experience developing with SQL-based open-source databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL

• Experience with AI-enabled app development (Azure Foundry, MCP Servers, Copilot Studio, Rovo or others). 

Desired: The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply

• Experience in software testing, including frameworks and/or techniques such as dependency injection, Jest, Mocha, or Cypress is desirable.

• Experience in code versioning, in particular Git workflow is an asset.

• Experience in the development of web API services and their utilization is an asset.

• Experience in developing in a Linux environment is desirable.

• Experience in managing dependencies, deployment, and development workflow is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience in web development projects in a consulting or professional services environment, working with cross-functional teams.

• Experience working on projects using an agile framework is an asset. 

• Experience with devops, in particular Kubernetes and Docker is desirable.

• Experience with Azure and other cloud services. Azure developer Associate certified would be an asset

• Experience in developing web applications in other programming languages would be beneficial.

• Experience working with AI (Azure Open AI, Azure AI Foundry) and/or AI scripting languages is desirable

• Experience in integrating vector data and maps with various platforms is an asset.

• Experience working as or closely with a UX/UI designer is an asset.

• Experience working with the public or not-for-profit sector would be an asset.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.