Consultancy - Solution Architect - Senior Software Engineer Consultant,GPD-Economic & Social Policy,Nairobi, Kenya, 13 Months (Remote)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to education

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of Assignment:

To achieve better results for children, in a more efficient and effective way, UNICEF has initiated the mainstreaming and scale up of Cash Based Assistance (CBA) modality across the organization. This has become a priority area of work under UNICEF’s strategic plan, as well as UNICEF’s agenda to increase the resilience of households, communities, and systems.  

As part of its CBA scale-up plan, UNICEF has developed an integrated software called HOPE - Humanitarian cash Operations and Programme Ecosystem. HOPE is UNICEF’s humanitarian cash transfer management information system. HOPE can (i) collect beneficiary data, (ii) associate data with cash programmes, (iii) create target population (iv) manage payment lists (v) send them to Financial Service Providers (FSP), (vi) reconcile payments, (vii) triangulate payment verification information directly from beneficiaries, (viii) handle grievances and feedback, as well as (iv) reporting.  

HOPE enhances the quality of programmes implementing Humanitarian Cash Transfers (HCT) by increasing compliance with UNICEF guidance and tools and ensuring accountability and traceability of the information managed.  

UNICEF is looking for a competent Senior Software Engineer consultant to develop additional functional and technical features to be implemented to enhance the beneficiary data management experience for UNICEF Country Offices.

Technology 

HOPE utilizes Python as a programming language and Django as a framework for its admin interface. React is used for front end development. As HOPE continues to scale as a system and scope, UNICEF will be seeking engagement with technology partners to develop new features for the roadmap above. 

In this engagement, the consultant shall be participating in relevant vendors meetings required for the completion of his/her tasks.

Scope of Work:

Accountabilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Global Programme Division – Cash Hub Beneficiary Data manager, and in close collaboration with the   Digital Impact Division (DID) Technical Manager, the consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

1. Architecture, Design Framework & Governance

2. Ecosystem AI Development Support

3. Agent-Agnostic Custom AI Skills

4. Vendor Technical Oversight

5. AI Support for Existing Anomaly Detection System

6. AI Support and Customization for Document Checker Service

7. AI-Driven Beneficiary Photo Authentication

8. Data Archiving Strategies, Procedures & Best Practices

How can you make a difference? 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the Terms of Reference here:   ToR Solution Architect - Senior Software Engineer Consultant TMS 6174.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Bachelors degree in Software Engineer; Software Architecture; Information Technology

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible work experience in software architecture, software engineering, systems integration, product lifecycle, information security, data protection, software quality assurance, systems monitoring.
• A minimum of 15 years of agile project management in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Deep knowledge of Agile Methodologies, and the following technologies:  Python (Django/Flask/Pyramid) Phyton PHP (Zend Framework/Laravel/Symfony) Node.js .NET Framework Front-end technologies* React Vanilla JavaScript PostgreSQL – PREFERRED
• MongoDB Elasticsearch Kubernetes Azure, Celery
• Redis FactoryBoy RabbitMQ DockerActive memberships in Open-Source projects
• Software design, systems integration and system architecture experience, with a focus on information systems designed for confidential or proprietary data, as well as proficiency with software development best practices, including source code management and continuous integration solutions such as GitHub, CircleCI/Travis, Jenkins etc.
• Language Requirements: English is required;
• Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
• Sharp analytical and interpersonal communication skills, attention to detail. Ability to translate business needs into technical requirements.
• Excellent Ability to foster positive work relationships, build alliances with key stakeholders and find compromise between competing views.
• Strong ability to work with multiple stakeholders inside and outside the organization.
• Understanding of mathematics and cryptography in theory and in practice. Knowledge of privacy-preserving approaches like differential privacy, zero-knowledge proofs, and secure multiparty computation.
• knowledge of tactics, techniques, procedures associated with malicious insider activity, organized crime/fraud groups, as well as state and non-state sponsored threat actors.
• Prior experience with field deployment/implementation in developing countries or complex security contexts is highly desirable.
• Ability to stay abreast of new technologies and their ability to support the Humanitarian Cash Transfer Management Information System to improve efficiency and effectiveness of business units.
• Prior experience working with a multilateral or UN organization is highly desirable.
• Prior experience working in the financial industry, cash transfer is desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate Care

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter 
• A separate financial proposal  Financial proposal Solution Architect - Senior Software Engineer Consultant TMS.xlsx

Remarks:  

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.