Systems Development Specialist (Open to Tier 1 and 2 applicants only) @ UNDP

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The Information and Communication Technology Section (ICTS) serves as a strategic enabler and innovation partner for the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), driving digital transformation across the organization. ICTS plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and cutting-edge technologies to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making.

Our mandate extends beyond managing IT infrastructure, cloud platforms, and business applications. We collaborate closely with all sections of UNV as a trusted business partner, aligning technology with organizational goals. ICTS leads governance and strategy initiatives that ensure data security, regulatory compliance, and the implementation of robust digital governance frameworks.

Through a future-focused approach, ICTS drives key digital tracks, including Volunteer Management, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Service Management, Cybersecurity, ERP, Digital Advocacy, AI, and the creation of a modern digital workspace. We prioritize accessibility, seamless collaboration, and cyber-resilience, enabling UNV to optimize its volunteer management systems and deliver cutting-edge digital services. By focusing on innovation and strategic technology alignment, ICTS empowers the organization to scale its impact and amplify its mission in advancing global volunteerism.

Scope of Work

UNV maintains its external facing content using Drupal and internal content using Sharepoint. Volunteer learning is offered through the eCampus platform based on MoodleThe applications developer will be responsible for the full lifecycle of UNV applications:

Systems analysis and design

• Elicit, analyze and validate business requirements related to application development;
• Develop software and infrastructure specifications of UNV systems;
• Develop and translate business requirements into application functionality, specifications, and test plans;
• Monitor infrastructural components of UNV applications and suggest options to improved designs;
• Liaise with UNV staff in relevant business units, external IT specialists, and provide specialized advice to users;
• Develop comprehensive system design diagrams, and clear user-facing release notes to streamline codebase maintenance and maintain solution continuity;
• Communicate efficiently with business focal points to align systems enhancement with business requirements, communicate on the implementation progress and develop user guidance materials;
• Apply rapid development and iterative prototyping to complex software problems.

System development and maintenance

• Develop and maintain UNV based applications;
• Develop codebase for new features and functionalities for UNV systems;
• Integrate UNV applications in a consistent manner (application integration, data integration, business rules integration);
• Perform impact analysis and change control and manages implementation of the changes;
• Coordinate with outsourced company developers about the requirements to the system changes/ development, security, accessibility, discussing technical issues and getting the solution as per agreed contracts;
• Ensure optimum technical performance of the system, upgrade or enhance existing functionalities, troubleshoot and provide continuing user support, including resolving problems (Tier III applications support);
• Maintain and administer the databases (MSSQL Server & MySQL);
• Maintain and administer the Web Servers (Linux, Apache, PHP) and cloud based applications;
• Provide training to the users on applications usage;
• Assist in the preparation of periodic and ad-hoc reports and statistics.

Perform other duties within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Systems Development Specialist will be supervised by the ICT Specialist, Portfolio Coordinator and embedded within the ICTS Applications team. This role requires core working hours aligned with the UNV Headquarters (CET/CEST) timezone. Candidates must be willing to structure their schedule to ensure maximum crossover and seamless collaboration with the Bonn-based team.

Core Competencies

Achieve Results

• Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively

• Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously

• Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility

• Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination

• Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner

• Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

• Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

System Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

IT Service Delivery & Operations

• Ability to deliver the IT products and services tocustomers at the right level of Quality and Costs,

taking into account user experience.

• Certifications in Azure cloud administration and Azure devops or comparable other hyper scalers are desirable.

IT Customer Support

• Ability to support l customers on IT related issues and generate and contribute to continuous improvement processes to deliver a great user

experience. Knowledge of ISO 9001 desirable. ITIL certification or similar is desirable.

Configuration Management, Business analysis, requirements

• Knowledge of configuration management changes, ability to manage and control the configuration change management process.

Programming

• Knowledge in programming concept, developing software program and management of application lifecycle.

Machine learning

• Experience with development, deployment and operations of machine learning model is a plus.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Software Engineering, Computer Science or other ICT-related studies is required; or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the same areas in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Accreditation in a formal project management methodology (e.g. Prince2 or PMI) is desirable

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience with a Master's degree, or
• Seven (7) years with a Bachelor's degree of relevant experience in cloud application analysis and development or related ICT/application maintenance functions is required

Required skills

• Experience in developing Drupal Applications (Drupal development (Hooks, Services, Events, Plugins, components), Theming, Site building (Views, Rules, Webform, Multilingual), APIs & Integrations (REST, JSON:API, OAuth, GraphQL),Migrations (Migrate API, Drush, custom scripts), Performance optimization (Caching, Database tuning, CDN), Database (MySQL, PostGreSQL, Microsoft SQL), Security (OWASP, HTTPS, CSP).
• Experience in delivering application integration component using web services (APIs, AI agents);
• Experience in developing, configuring and administering Drupal content management system;
• Experience in AI aided PHP development;
• Experience with software deployment tools to cloud platforms (CI/CD) and processes;
• Experience with modern issue tracking tools and GIT distributed version control;
• Experience in Sharepoint development and Maintenance (.NET, PowerApps, Flow, Forms, REST Web services) is mandatory.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Expertise in Web application security assessment frameworks and secure coding best practices
• Expertise in designing scalable and accessible web applications with high user volumes
• Expertise in Moodle development is desirable
• Expertise in Sharepoint maintenance is desirable
• Experience with agile software development methodologies would be an additional advantage
• Experience in Salesforce administration is desirable

Languages

• Fluency in English
• Proficiency in another UN Official language is an asset

Other

• Candidate to be located within reasonable (max 4 hours) time difference with Central European Time Zone.

Disclaimer

• Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
• The successful candidate will hold a UNDP NPSA contract.
• This vacancy announcement is open to Tier 1 and 2 candidates only.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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