About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About Office of Communications

Located in Tokyo, the Office of Communications assists the Rector in the communication about UNU’s work, engagement with key stakeholders, and visibility of UNU’s activities in Japan and globally.

The work of the UNU Office of Communications focuses on communicating the outcomes from UNU research in clear, accessible language, in ensuring these messages reach the right audience and in gradually increase the size of the audience. To achieve this, the UNU Office of Communications employs high quality design, produces engaging content and deploys a wide range of communication assets.

Responsibilities

As a Drupal Developer, you will play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing our existing Drupal 10 websites. You will ensure seamless integration of our pattern libraries hosted in Pantheon.io, customize and extend Drupal modules to meet specific needs, and collaborate with designers, development partners, and content creators to integrate website functionality. Your work will directly support our mission to leverage digital technologies for sustainable development.

1. Drupal Development and Customization
   • Develop, customize, and extend Drupal modules.
   • Implement new features, modules, and themes to enhance website functionality and user experience.
   • Write testing scripts to automate testing processes and ensure code quality.
   • Implement and manage CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment.
   • Maintain and manage version control systems, specifically Git.
   • Perform regular website maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting.
   • Utilize Twig templating for Drupal theme development and customization while integrating Fractal to build and document reusable UI component libraries.
   • Implement responsive web design for seamless user experiences.
   • Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation.
2. Performance Optimization and Monitoring
   • Conduct thorough performance benchmarking using tools like New Relic
   • Identify performance bottlenecks and implement optimizations
   • Monitor application performance and analyze key metrics to ensure high availability and responsiveness
3. Integration and API Development
   • Ensure seamless integration of existing pattern libraries hosted in Pantheon.io
   • Utilize Drupal’s RESTful Web Services API and GraphQL for efficient communication with external applications
   • Create custom endpoints and data structures to expose Drupal content and functionality
   • Implement secure authentication methods and manage API keys for external service connections
4. SEO and Analytics
   • Implement Schema markup for Google Scholar to enhance discoverability of academic publications
   • Utilize Google Tag Manager to set up and manage tags for Google Analytics 4, conversion tracking, and other marketing pixels
   • Analyze user behavior and campaign performance metrics
5. Collaboration
   • Work closely with designers, content creators, and the UNU Campus Computing Centre team (C3) to support the development of high-quality web. components and solutions
   • Collaborate with C3 to support SDLC operations and ensure compliance with established security requirements
6. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

    

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality development and implementation of Drupal Development, Integration, and Customization
• Timely and quality delivery on Performance Optimization and Monitoring improvements
• Improved SEO and analytics capabilities
• Collaborative partner with Centre and institute staff

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

1) Education and certification

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in Drupal development, with a strong portfolio of Drupal projects.

2) Required skills and experience

• Proficiency in Twig templating for theme development.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment, e.g., CircleCI.
• Knowledge of SEO best practices and performance optimization techniques, with experience in using Google Analytics 4 to track organic search traffic and analyze SEO performance
• Strong proficiency in PHP, HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript (ES6).
• Working knowledge of version control systems, particularly Git.
• Ability to ensure seamless integration of pattern libraries
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker.

3) Language Requirements

• Professional level Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Duration

The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC). Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and based on a monthly rate to be submitted as part of the application procedure.

This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.

Travel considerations

Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals must not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).

Expected start date

Immediate.

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

03 January 2025

Submissions must be received by midnight JST time on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position. Consultants do not hold international civil servant status, nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU 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 UNU.

Scam warning

UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.