Backend Engineer

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE: Backend Engineer - Consultant
TYPE OF CONTRACT: CST (Level I)
UNIT/DIVISION: PSP
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Berlin, Germany
DURATION: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. WFP is
the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance
to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and
the impact of climate change. Around 14,000 people work for the organization, most of them in
remote areas, directly serving the hungry poor.
ShareTheMeal is WFP’s fundraising and awareness-raising app. Free to download, the award-winning
app is a pioneering way for people to join our efforts in creating a world with zero hunger.
ShareTheMeal was launched in 2015 as the first pilot of WFP’s Innovation Accelerator, which among
other things supports start-ups and innovators in developing their ideas for zero hunger.
ShareTheMeal currently has more than 9.3 million users worldwide, who have shared more than 160
million meals (US$ 100 million). WFP is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy for individual giving,
and ShareTheMeal is a key driver for this strategy going forward. The team, located in Berlin and
also remotely, is focused on increasing the funds raised to help get to zero hunger by further
developing the app to include new and innovative features, increasing the engagement of existing
users and growing the user base through marketing and communication initiatives. As the user base
has grown, there is a significant opportunity to increase funds raised from existing users and deliver
an exceptional experience to build a long-term relationship with each supporter.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Consultant, reporting to the Lead Backend Engineer for the ShareTheMeal initiative, is expected
to:
1. Develop features and improvements to the ShareTheMeal node.js based platform.
2. Develop and maintain the Admin application using Python, Flask and AWS:
a. Automate workflows to reduce turnaround times
b. Develop solutions for managing customisable features
c. Implement monitoring and logging tools using CloudWatch, Sentry, etc.
d. Ensure security of Admin functionalities
3. Collaborate with the Backend team and drive the implementation of security best practices
across all systems.
4. Collaborate with Product Management and other stakeholders within Engineering to maintain
a high bar for quality in an iterative and Agile environment.
5. Help to define and improve our internal standards for style, maintainability, and best
practices for a high-scale environment. Maintain and advocate for these standards through
code reviews.

6. Ship large sized features and improvements with guidance and support from other team
members.
7. Other activities
a. Act as facilitator to staff on developing the organization
b. Assist the management of the ShareTheMeal initiative with other activities as required

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
- Completed contributions to application architecture and software development as agreed with
the Lead Backend Engineer
- Stable operations of the backend in the area of responsibility
- Documentation and handover to the Lead Backend Engineer for ShareTheMeal

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Experience: 3 or more years of experience in developing and designing Python/JS based systems
Knowledge
& Skills:
- Good knowledge of JS/TS and Python
- Embrace principles of Clean Code, TDD and Agile
- User-centred approach to software development
- Strong analytical abilities, both quantitative and qualitative
- Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and
across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy
- Strong time management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate
requirements, problems and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing
priorities successfully, and to work to tight deadlines
- Self-motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy
- Fully committed and motivated to achieve the aims of the World Food
Programme
Languages: In addition to a high proficiency in written and spoken English, knowledge of a second
UN language is a plus

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.