Consultancy: Platform Architect Consultant, ICTD Digital Core – Valencia, Spain, 5 months (remote)

We are seeking a skilled Platform Architect Consultant to oversee the development and seamless integration of the Learning Passport with various platforms, particularly focusing on guiding Single Sign-On (SSO) integrations. The work is remote for the UNICEF ICTD Digital Core, Valencia, Spain office.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a digital future

The overarching strategic goal of UNICEF’s Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally through the use of innovative technology-enabled solutions.

How can you make a difference?

The Platform Architect consultant will operate under the direction of the ICT Manager and alongside the Application Platforms and Services Team. This role is central to overseeing the development and seamless integration of the Learning Passport with various platforms, particularly focusing on guiding Single Sign-On (SSO) integrations. The consultant will also play a key role in designing and implementing custom configurations to optimize platform functionality and enhance the user experience. The Platform Architect will engage with key stakeholders and collaborate with external partners, including Microsoft, to ensure the delivery of robust and scalable platform solutions that meet the varied needs of users and programs.

 

Key responsibilities:

1. Oversee the technical design and integration of the Learning Passport with other platforms, ensuring the implementation of Single Sign-On (SSO) in Azure AD B2C with 3rd party authentication systems.

2. Design and implement custom configurations (including Azure AD B2C custom policies if required) to enhance the functionality and user experience of the Learning Passport, tailored to the specific needs of various learning purposes.

3. Conduct technical consultations with key stakeholders to ensure solution compatibility and address specific technical challenges.

4. Coordinate with the Application Platforms and Services Team and key stakeholders to define and establish release strategies.

5. Work with ICTD to establish, document, and communicate architectural frameworks and best practices for scalable and robust platform solutions.

6. Conduct user and stress testing as required before deploying new configurations.

7. Provide third-line support for technical issues related to the platform and work with Microsoft support to address technical challenges.

8. Document all solution designs, configurations, and implementations, ensuring comprehensive knowledge transfer to relevant team members and staff.

 

Deliverables:

Work Assignments Overview	Deliverables/Outputs	Delivery  deadline
Initial Project Scoping and Strategy Plan	Comprehensive project scope and SSO integration strategy document	Week 2
Technical Consultation and Stakeholder Alignment	Document detailing results of consultations with key stakeholders and proposed solutions to technical challenges	Week 4
Design and Configuration of SSO Integration	Implementation of custom configurations and policies for Azure AD B2C	Week 6
Release Strategy and CI/CD Pipeline Setup	Release strategy plan and operational CI/CD pipelines	Week 7
Testing Phase – User and Stress Testing	Comprehensive testing report, including user flow and stress test results	Week 9
Final Deployment and Go-Live	Successful deployment of the SSO configuration in the production environment	Week12
Post-Deployment Monitoring and Report	Post-deployment monitoring report and final recommendations for ongoing maintenance	Week 16
Project Documentation and Knowledge Transfer	Complete documentation of all solutions, configurations, and implementation strategies, alongside training materials	Week 20
Third-Line Support Setup and Documentation	Third-line support protocol and initial issue resolution reports	–

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please indicate your ability, availability and your overall rate – or rate per deliverable (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a rate will not be considered.  

Duration of contract: 5 months, remote

 

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Systems Management, or a related field

• A minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in Azure AD B2C and identity management solutions.

• Familiarity with Single Sign-On (SSO) technologies and protocols like OpenID Connect.

• Proven experience with system integration and microservices architecture.

•  Knowledge of network protocols such as OSI, TLS, and HTTP.

•  Proficiency in creating and managing CI/CD pipelines.

•  Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

•  Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.