Result of Service
• New UX/UI functionalities deployed, as per agreed requirements (March-April)
• Initial AI solution and testing deployed with new functionalities deployed (April-May)
• Virtual Learning Space embedded and functioning in SIMT related systems (May-June)
• Content Management System improved and implemented to ensure the tool is accessible and user-friendly for stakeholders at all levels. (June-July)
• Developed and updated technical specifications, system architecture, and development processes recorded to ensure knowledge transfer and maintain comprehensive documentation.(July)
• Testing and debugging of each developed feature report completed to ensure the tool's functionality, performance, and security. (continuous)
• System issues identified and corrected to validate the tool's accuracy and reliability, incorporating feedback from ITC-SPTI team and users. (continuous)
• Ongoing support and maintenance of the Trade Strategy system provided.(continuous)
• Completed weekly workplan (MS Planner) based on upgrade requirements confirmed weekly with the Officer SPTI and Manager IT&S (weekly)
Work Location
home-based
Expected duration
Duties and Responsibilities
ITC is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization for trade-related technical cooperation in developing countries. Within the ITC, the Information Technology & Systems (IT&S) department operates under the Division of Programme Support (DPS). As part of its IT strategy, IT&S is actively involved in various ongoing IT development projects. One such project is the upgrade of the adaptation of the Strategy Implementation Management Tool (SIMT) and related systems, which is being used in different "Trade Assistance initiatives" implemented by ITC. ITC's Trade Strategy Programme strengthens countries capacities in the design, management, and implementation of relevant trade development strategies for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth. This long standing and core function of ITC accompanies LDCs, developing countries and economies in transition, to strategize sectoral and functional development at the regional, national and provincial levels, to establish of durable public-private consultative platforms such as National Export Councils, Sector Advisory Committees or Industry platforms. ITC's tested methodology and inclusive process of strategic trade development ensures policy makers, trade support institutions and enterprises pursue an agreed, common framework and roadmap for trade development and competitiveness. The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Umbrella Programme is a major initiative aimed at sustainably increasing intra-African trade and trade between Africa and the European Union (EU). Funded by the EU and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), this four-year program aims to improve market access for specific value chains and increase the export competitiveness of SMEs in these sectors. It also seeks to reduce trade barriers, enhance compliance with quality standards, and promote added value and export diversification. By prioritizing women- and youth-led businesses, ATCMA aims to promote economic inclusion and encourage sustainable business practices. The umbrella programme is structured around two intervention levels:
• the Continental Component, and
• Sub-regional Components in five RECs: COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS and SADC. The current opening pertains to the ECCAS and SADC sub-regional component of the ATCMA umbrella programme. Under Output 1.3 of the ECCAS and SADC ATCMA projects aims to activate regional value chain review mechanisms (VCRMs) and support national value chain working groups to serve as platforms for alignment of workplans and interventions of implementing agencies. It will facilitate the development of a collective strategic regional vision concerning future business trends, challenges, opportunities, and potential policy interventions for the prioritized value chains. This will involve conducting value chain assessment and organizing Public-Private Collaboration (PPCs) to engage key institutions, including the SADC Community, national governments, agencies, and prominent private sector associations. While rooted in the value chain review mechanisms, the primary emphasis will be on articulating a shared regional vision for the priority value chains. This entails consolidating insights from various strategic documents, institutions, and forums, mobilizing key stakeholders around the established regional vision, and offering advisory services to assist stakeholders in navigating relevant changes and addressing challenges aligned with the strategic vision. To successfully track and manage the implementation of the VCRM roadmap, a Strategy Implementation Management Tool (SIMT) is tailored to each ATCMA and Value Chain To support initial adaptation of the Strategy Implementation Management Tool (SIMT) and related systems to these two TA initiatives, SPTI (jointly with IT&S) is currently seeking a qualified international consultant DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES The Contractor will work under the direct supervision of the Officer, Strategies and Policies for Trade and Investment (SPTI), and in close collaboration Manager, Information and Technology Development unit, the Web Developer will:
• Support the design, development and deployment a robust and user-friendly Strategy Implementation Management Tool to support the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of strategic frameworks developed under ITC projects such as ATCMAs, using appropriate programming languages, frameworks, and technologies.
• Implement new UX features based on FIGMA design and in line with backend processes that of SIMT for task setting, action planning, performance tracking, and reporting.
• Deploy of new functionalities to the SIMT aligned to ATCMA needs such as using AI for report creation and translation, including from local languages to English/French.
• Embed ITC Virtual Learning Space, in close collaboration with IT&S, the SME Trade Academy of ITC and the Trade Strategy team into SIMT related systems
• Review and enhance of Content Management System, especially for regional VCRM initiatives
• Support thorough testing and debugging to ensure the tool's functionality, performance, and security.
• Work closely with IT&S and the Trade Strategy team to identify and document system issues, proposes corrective actions, execute comprehensive test to validate the tool's accuracy and reliability.
• Provide technical specifications, system architecture, and development processes to ensure knowledge transfer and maintain comprehensive documentation.
• Provide ongoing support and maintenance of the Trade Strategy system, including development of relevant user manuals and provision of training
• Works closely with IT&S to ensure the infrastructure cost are adapted, data is properly secured, backup is in place; and ensure the new functionalities system can be tested independently without impact on the main system. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.
Qualifications/special skills
• Undergraduate in technology, computer science, engineering or a related field.
• Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree.
• Minimum of five years of experience developing web applications.
• Experience developing web frontend applications using ReactJS.
• Experience in NodeJS based web development.
• Experience in programming AI APIs is required.
• Experience in content management systems is desirable.
• Experience in developing multilingual web applications is desirable.
• Experience in charting libraries, doing database migrations, email systems desirable Skills:
• JavaScript / HTML 5 / CSS / Bootstrap / ReactJS
• CouchDB
• Azure AD B2C
• NodeJS
• GraphQL API
• FIGMA
• Docker / Docker-compose
• Linux
• AWS EC2 management.
• REST/API concepts
• SCSS/CSS
• Redux
Languages
* Written and spoken English. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
Additional Information
Not available.
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.