Software developer consultant – full stack – BAV Consultants (2) , remote, Brazil.

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. 

Immunization is a success story for global health and development, saving millions of lives every year. Vaccines and surveillance actions have been responsible for the elimination and control of immunopreventable diseases, such as the eradication of smallpox, the interruption of polio transmission, the control of measles, the decrease of rubella. To this end, vaccination coverage needs to be adequate to control or maintain in a condition of elimination or eradication of immunopreventable diseases.

More than 20 life-threatening diseases can now be prevented by immunization. Since 2010, 116 countries have introduced vaccines they have not previously used, including those against pneumococcal pneumonia, diarrhea, cervical cancer, typhoid fever, cholera and meningitis. However, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in 2017, 10% of countries in the Americas region reported coverage levels with the first dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine below 80%.

In Brazil, the decrease in vaccination coverage for children under five years of age has been observed since 2015. This trend worsened during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, due to the postponement of applications of the recommended doses and the low demand for health services. In addition, the occurrence of vaccine hesitancy, the fear of possible adverse events, the dissemination of misguided information and philosophical and religious beliefs, have created situations in which families and even health professionals have doubts about the need for the application of vaccines.

Given the scenario, UNICEF is developing the Active Vaccine Search (BAV – Busca Ativa Vacinal, in portuguese) initiative. It is an innovative and free technology platform to support local governments in identifying, recording and monitoring children and adolescents who are not immunized or at risk of not receiving vaccines. The initiative aims to support municipalities and regional governments to track routine vaccination coverage for children and adolescents. The Active Vaccine Search allows to find unvaccinated children and adolescents, identify the reasons or risks for vaccine delay or non-vaccination and mobilizes the community to increase vaccination coverage.

UNICEF develops the Active Vaccine Search initiative to contribute to the maintenance of high vaccination coverage and ensure that children and adolescents have access to prevention of preventable diseases.

Scope of Work:

The consultancy seeks to meet our current needs of software development and its implementation in the health area, in line with the UNICEF Seal goals – 2021 to 2024.

The consultant should assist the UNICEF Office in Brazil in integrating ICT into UNICEF programming, develop the architecture and implementation of software for Active Vaccine Search, perform user tests to analyze the operation of the software and make the necessary changes after testing by pilot municipalities.

The software must include:

• different levels of access, with use controlled by login and password;
• case statistics according to spatial location.
• a protected database on children and adolescents with vaccine delay: allowing to store the identified cases of vaccine delay or non-vaccination;
• flexibility to address the specific characteristics of each municipality;
• a panel that presents specific and consolidated information on existing cases in the municipality;
• tools for a better management of the case – space of articulation and registration of actions performed;
• an administrative panel of the municipality that shows the evolution of active vaccine search in the municipality;
• provision of custom notifications.

The software development will be the responsibility of UNICEF, but implemented and used by municipalities.

The governments will actively participate in the governance structure, offering suggestions and improvements during the development of the platform.T4D consultants will be directly supervised by the ICT Officer (Innovation Focal Point).

A team consisting of two senior software developers (ideally both capable of Full Stack development, but alternatively, one can be specialized in Front End development and one specialized in Back End development), and a designer (UX) will be hired for this initiative).

Expected results:

Expected result: Support the UNICEF on the software development of the Busca Ativa Vacinal platform, maintenance activities and related technologies and provide small incremental updates.

Activities:

a) Develop the monitoring dashboard, focusing on user experience and data visualization;

b) Monitor monthly KPIs with panel usage statistics;

c) Monitor the servers’ performance and the availability of the service, taking the necessary steps to restore normal operation in case of failure.

d) Fix bugs on a weekly basis;

e) Implement small improvements in the platform’s functionalities, keeping it updated with possible changes in business requirements.

f) Help maintain the backlog of pending issues and development progress on the ZenHub platform, keeping the information accurate and updated;

g) Technically and operationally support the SPM&E area in the monitoring and evaluation of results, through the implementation of graphics and reports on the platform, generated from the database;

h) Code the new modules and features. Incremental software releases related to this item should be done biweekly and each major release every two months.

i) Screen design, wireframe elaboration and non-functional visual prototypes.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS OVERVIEW

1.1.   Deliverable: Software release 3.0.

1.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

1.3. Deadline (final delivery date): Feb 22nd, 2024

1.4. Payment: 1/3 of contract fee x 2 developers

 

2.1. Deliverable: Software release 3.1.

2.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

2.3. Deadline (final delivery date): March 22nd, 2024

2.4. Payment: 1/3 of contract fee x 2 developers

 

3.1. Deliverable: Software release 3.2.

3.2. Duration (how many days are needed): 30 days

3.3. Deadline (final delivery date): April 22nd, 2024

3.4. Payment: 1/3 of contract fee x 2 developers

The amounts to be paid will only be forwarded for completion upon delivery of each of the products registered above and after analysis and approval of the reports by the UNICEF supervisor of the contract.

During project execution, UNICEF will use a SCRUM methodology to ensure quality of results and good communication. One of the requirements for this is to have the development team (software developers, scrum master, and designer) and the product owner working in the same environment, whenever it would be required by the supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Full stack developers (2 professionals):

• Minimum 5 years of professional work experience on a national or international level as a key contributor to SW development projects.

• Must have knowledge at all stages of software development.

• Must be able to collaborate with the rest of the team to design and release new features.

• Experience in converting designs into visual elements.

• Understanding and implementing security and data protection.

• Desirable experience with the following framework / programming languages: Laravel / PHP.

• Proficient experience in using one or more advanced JavaScript libraries and frameworks such as AngularJS, Vue JS, ReactJS, etc.

• Experience with cloud messaging APIs and use of push notifications.

• Proficient knowledge of Git.

• Fluency in Portuguese is required.

• Solid knowledge of front-end technologies such as JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS3.

• Solid understanding of MVC and RESTful concepts.

• Ability to write clean, readable code.

• Ability to integrate multiple data sources and databases into one system.

• Experience with PostgreSql and/or MySql databases.

• Understanding the fundamental principles of SW design and architecture behind a scalable application.

• Able to create database schemas that represent and support business processes.

• Able to implement automated test platforms and unit tests.

• Familiarity with development aid tools such as Bower, Bundler, Rake, etc.

• Familiarity with continuous integration and ability to work to tight deadlines.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Portuguese – Fluent (mandatory)

English – Work knowledge (desirable)

UNICEF’s Core Values

Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)

To view our competency framework, please visit: UNICEF Values

 

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.

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

• Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationery. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when needed.
• Consultant’s, travel costs should be included in the consultant’s fee.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant and mandatory courses are completed;
• Consultants will not have any representative, certifying, or approving authority, or supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• The consultant will work remotely on a delivery basis and prior authorization and/or clearance from UNICEF to engage in outside UNICEF activities is required.

Financial Proposal

• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.
• A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.
• The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Insurance and health coverage

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

Restrictions

• Consultants may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF.  Notwithstanding, consultants must complete the applicable mandatory trainings before the signature of the contract; 
• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

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.