Drupal and app full stack developer

Result of Service

The key result of the consultancy will be the delivery of three fully functional, multilingual mobile applications that enhance the capacity of the CITES Secretariat to support species identification, manage meeting logistics, and guide national authorities in applying CITES procedures. These tools will improve accessibility, usability, and responsiveness for Parties and stakeholders, while also ensuring sustainable integration with existing CITES platforms and resources.

Work Location

Remote location. Regular communication and reporting will be via appropriate communication means with the Programme Officer within the CITES Secretariat.

Expected duration

The tasks listed are to be completed within 80 days of work (Delivery) within a period of seven (07) months from the start of the contract. Contract Start date: as soon as possible.

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between states. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival (www.cites.org). The CITES Secretariat is administered by UN Environment and is located at the Geneva duty station. This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s work under the Outreach and Projects Unit and will undertake tasks related to development of three mobile applications. Under the overall supervision of Chief, Outreach and Projects Unit, the consultant will: Task 1: CITES Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Identification App This app will provide quick and accurate identification support for enforcement personnel managing trade in tortoises, freshwater turtles, and their derivatives. The app will include interactive identification, advanced search, multilingual functionality (English, French, Spanish), offline usability, bookmarking, glossary, AI-assisted image recognition (optional), and sustainable content hosting. Task 2: Republishing CapaCITES App CapaCITES supports national authorities in evaluating captive breeding/ranching facilities and applying correct CITES source codes. The consultant will republish the app, ensure compatibility with latest iOS/Android systems, securely reconnect it to an updated Amazon server, and implement multilingual support. Task 3: CITES Events Management App Enhancement The task involves enhancing the event management app, including a grid-based visualization interface (time slots vs rooms), streamlined data management, improved input workflows, and multilingual functionality. Outputs/Work Assignment: The consultant should provide the following key deliverables clearly detailed and structured: Task 1: CITES Turtle Identification App 1. Detailed Project Plan: Gantt chart including all relevant tasks, start and end dates. 2. Design Mock-ups and Prototypes: High-quality mock-ups and interactive prototypes created in Figma. 3. Functional Turtle Identification App: Developed multilingual app (English, French, Spanish) for iOS and Android, using the CITES Identification Guide to Turtles and Tortoises: Parts, Products, and Derivatives in Trade. Features: interactive identification keys, advanced search, offline access, bookmarking, glossary. Optional AI-assisted image recognition feature clearly scoped with different view angles. 4. Content Integration: Migration and integration of content from the existing PDF guide available at, http://tiny.cc/r2pe001 5. Hosting Solution Implementation: Implementation of sustainable content hosting using existing cites.org resources or Firebase. 6. Testing and Documentation: Concise test criteria documentation and results summary. Comprehensive user manual and training materials, easily usable by an IT illiterate user. 7. Deployment and Post-deployment Support: Deployment on staging and production environments. One-month post-deployment support including issue resolution. Task 2: Republishing CapaCITES App 1. Detailed Project Plan: Gantt chart including tasks for reviewing existing documentation, codebase analysis, and server reconnection. 2. App Review and Documentation: Brief review and supplemental documentation of existing code and functionalities. 3. Code Update and Server Integration: Updated and fully functional app compatible with the latest iOS and Android versions. Secure reconnection and deployment on the new Amazon server instance. 4. Multilingual Capability Implementation: Complete integration of multilingual features (English, French, Spanish). 5. Testing and Documentation: Concise test criteria documentation and results summary. Comprehensive user manual and training materials. 6. Deployment and Post-deployment Support: Deployment on staging and production environments. One-month post-deployment support including issue resolution. Task 3: Enhancement of CITES Events Management App 1. Detailed Project Plan: Gantt chart including tasks for data integration, design, and user interface development. 2. Grid-based Visualization Design: Original mock-ups and prototypes for the grid-based event schedule visualization. 3. App Development and AirTable Integration: Enhancement of existing application with maintained AirTable integration for event data management. Fully functional multilingual capability integrated. 4. Testing and Documentation: Concise test criteria documentation and results summary. Comprehensive user manual and training materials. 5. Deployment and Post-deployment Support: Deployment on staging and production environments. One-month post-deployment support including issue resolution. Task 4: General Requirements for All Tasks 1. Access to Infrastructure: Direct coordination with the Secretariat for necessary access to existing technical infrastructure, including Amazon servers and cites.org hosting. 2. Communication and Collaboration: Regular updates on project progress and collaborative adjustments based on feedback from the Secretariat. 3. Documentation and Training: Detailed user manuals tailored for non-technical staff. Structured training sessions conducted remotely. 4. Post-deployment Support: Explicit one-month support clearly detailed regarding scope and issue resolution protocols. 5. Apply updates and fixes to the dependent websites that the apps noted above rely on. (ie. Cites.org website) Timeline of Deliverables Task 1: CITES Turtle Identification App The consultant will complete all deliverables within four (4) months from the contract start date: • Week 2: Detailed project plan (Gantt chart) and design mock-ups (Figma). • Week 6: Functional app prototype for initial testing. • Week 10: Comprehensive app development including content integration. • Week 12: Final testing, documentation, user manual, and training. • Week 16: Deployment on live production environment and initiation of one-month post-deployment support. Task 2: Republishing CapaCITES App The consultant will complete all deliverables within three (3) months from the task initiation: • Week 2: Project plan (Gantt chart), initial app review, and documentation. • Week 5: Updated and recoded app ready for initial testing. • Week 8: Multilingual capabilities fully integrated and thorough testing completed. • Week 12: Deployment on live production environment, user manual completion, training sessions, and initiation of one-month post-deployment support. Task 3: Enhancement of CITES Events Management App The consultant will complete all deliverables within four (4) months from the task initiation: • Week 2: Detailed project plan and initial design mock-ups for grid-based visualization. • Week 6: Functional prototype with AirTable integration for initial feedback. • Week 10: Complete application development, multilingual capabilities integration, and comprehensive testing. • Week 14: Final documentation, training, and user manual provided. • Week 16: Live deployment and initiation of one-month post-deployment support. Task 4: General Requirements for All Tasks • Regular updates and communication throughout the project lifecycle. • Ongoing collaborative adjustments based on Secretariat feedback. • Structured remote training sessions and detailed user documentation completed prior to final deployment. • One-month explicit post-deployment support for issue resolution initiated immediately after each task’s final deployment.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree, preferably in Computer Science, Information Technology or Engineering or related field is desirable. A bachelor’s degree in combination with additional 2 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree. • Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in software development, mobile applications, and IT project management is required • Within the 10 years of experience, at least seven (7) years of experience in mobile application development, Drupal CMS, and web application design is required.

Languages

For this position, Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage.

Additional Information

Reporting lines: The consultant will report directly to the Information Systems Officer at the Outreach and Projects Unit. Payment Terms: The consultant will be paid for 80 days of work within a period of 7 Months according to the ToRs schedule, upon successful completion, review, and approval of each month’s deliverables: Required skills: • Demonstrated extensive expertise in developing cross-platform mobile applications using React Native and Flutter. • Proven advanced skills in backend technologies such as Node.js, PHP, AWS, and Firebase. • Solid expertise with UI/UX design, responsive interfaces, and prototyping using tools like Figma. • Strong expertise in Drupal 9/10, including migration, custom module development, theming, and performance optimization. • Demonstrated capability in integrating multilingual functionalities and ensuring compatibility with latest Android and iOS platforms. • Strong Ability to work with modern frontend technologies and frameworks including ReactJS, AngularJS, and GraphQL. • Previous successful collaboration and demonstrated understanding of CITES Secretariat systems and projects (highly desirable). • Strong knowledge of best practices for software development methodologies, version control systems, and continuous integration. Desirable skills • Ability to work within Scrum or Agile or familiar framework for project management to ensure timely delivery. • Proven contributor in the Drupal community. • Drupal Developer and theming certification. • Experience using a prototyping tool such as Figma • Previous successful collaboration and experience with the CITES Secretariat is highly desirable. • Proven contributions to open-source mobile app development communities. • In-depth experience with AI-driven functionalities such as image recognition. Competencies: Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently. Creativity: Ability to – within the constraints of the United Nations rules and regulations – propose solutions to improve programmes or services and to offer new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; ability and experience in promoting new ideas and persuading other to consider them; ability to come up with unusual ideas and to think “outside the box”; interested in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Source :  https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/256578?language=en