Digital Strategies and Platforms Associate

Context

Brazil has not yet guaranteed to all children and adolescents the basic right to education. It is observed through available indicators the worsening of the situation of Brazilian public education in the last two years, due to the pandemic. Considering that, UNICEF works in the country to ensure that (i) all children and adolescents are at school, protected and learning at the right age; (ii) they develop all their skills, based on an integrated and protective approach; and (iii) every young people make a positive transition from education to work.

The UN Volunteer will serve as a central facilitator, aligning the needs of platform users (1 Million Opportunities, Busca Ativa Escolar (BAE), Trajetórias de Sucesso Escolar (TSE), and other platforms) with the initiatives’ objectives and technical execution. The UN Volunteer will ensure that these platforms are effective and sustainable and contribute to positive social impact.

This role encompasses strategic and operational responsibilities, aiming to maximize each platform’s potential to benefit children, adolescents, and young people, particularly those in vulnerable situations. In this capacity, the work combines the strategic application of data, digitalization, and innovation to advance inclusive and accessible education through digital platforms. Data should be leveraged intelligently, transforming raw information into actionable insights that inform decision-making and amplify the impact of interventions.

Digitalization should enhance efficiency and collaboration, while innovation should drive the development of an adaptable environment that fosters creative solutions. These pillars—data, digitalization, and innovation—fortify the platforms, promoting inclusive, safe, and technologically advanced learning environments in alignment with the “Quintet of Change” framework of UN 2.0.

The UN Volunteer’s approach to these platforms should be designed to provide a learning experience tailored to each child and adolescent’s needs, contributing to digital inclusion and sustainable development. This strategy supports expanding access to quality education, developing digital competencies, and promoting employability in low- and middle-income regions, aligning with the mission of Technology for Development (T4D) and UNICEF’s core values.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Education or her designated mandated representative(s), and in close collaboration with the national Goal Area 02, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following functions:

• Monitor the functionalities of the 1MiO, BAE, TSE, and other educational platforms, ensuring they are safe, welcoming, and conducive environments for the learning and protection of children, adolescents, and youth.
• Track the performance of the platforms using relevant key performance indicators KPIs (number of users, engagement, opportunities generated, success rate, etc.).
• Monitor quality control and versioning systems, including regular code reviews, automated and manual testing, as well as validation of functionalities through tools like Bitbucket or GitHub, promoting a satisfactory and secure user experience.
• Support, alongside the technical team, the implementation of new functionalities, resolution of technical problems, and improvement of the usability of digital platforms.
• Analyze collected data to identify trends, behavior patterns, and opportunities for improvement in the user experience, promoting a personalized experience better adapted to user needs.
• Support in monitoring the application of the General Data Protection Law (LGPD), ensuring the protection of privacy and rights of children and adolescents, in accordance with the ethical and legal standards established by UNICEF’s global digital governance guidelines.
• Follow, monitor and provide technical assistance to partners, municipal and state governments, partner civil society organizations (CSOs), and UN system partners in the application and understanding of UNICEF’s digital education strategies, promoting practices adapted to each territorial context.
• Ensure that digital platforms are aligned with collaborative work with local governments, aiming at the implementation of access policies adapted to their specific contexts and realities.

Skills and experience

• At least 3 years of professional experience in project management, or product management, or web development, or digital platform management, or digital strategy management, or Technical Product Owner, or a related area.
• Skills in Management and Customization of Drupal CMS;
• Skills in Managing Learning Management Systems (LMS): Knowledge of platforms like Moodle and Teachable. Experience with Microsoft Community Training is a plus.
• Advanced Knowledge in API Integration: Experience in configuring and integrating APIs for data synchronization between systems, promoting interoperability with platforms.
• Experience in collecting, analyzing, and visualizing educational data using tools like Data Studio or Power BI to monitor KPIs and generate strategic insights on engagement rates, school dropout rates, student progress, employability, among others. Experience with Python and Pandas is an asset.
• Experience in Low Connectivity Environments and Offline Solutions: Ability to design solutions that work offline or with limited data synchronization.
• UX Skills and User/Human-Centered Design: Knowledge in interface design and user experience, ensuring that digital platforms are intuitive, inclusive, and accessible to diverse audiences. Knowledge of WCAG 2.0 is an asset.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.
• Strong security awareness.
• Has affinity or interest in children’s rights, volunteering as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the United Nations system.
• Enrolled in or have completed a degree or related training in Computer Science, Computer/Software Engineering, Technology in Systems Analysis and Development, or a related area is desirable.

Languages

• Portuguese, Level: Fluent, Required
• English, Level: Fair, Desirable
• Spanish, Level: Fair, Desirable

Source: https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1775101910498560