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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. 

For every child, a CHILDHOOD. 

How can you make a difference? 

BACKGROUND / CONTEXT

UNICEF Romania, in collaboration with national and international partners, is developing two digital health solutions (mobile applications) to enhance access to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for adolescents and young people:

1. UNICEF Romania Umbrella App – a centralised gateway providing structured access to UNICEF-supported mobile applications, including U-Report Romania, uSupport, RapidPro, and potentially other digital tools.
2. MHPSS App (based on the existing uSupport platform developed by UNICEF ECARO) – a digital tool tailored to Romania’s context to improve adolescents’ access to MHPSS resources. It is expected to include functionalities such as: mood tracker, a mental health navigation system (directory of mental health service providers), selfcare module, a MHPSS library with relevant resources, insights and reporting capabilities.

RATIONALE FOR THE CONSULTANCY

To ensure the technical quality, compliance, and alignment of these applications with UNICEF’s standards and EU and national regulations, UNICEF Romania seeks to engage a local ICT consultant to provide technical supervision, oversight, and quality assurance (QA) throughout the design, development and implementation phases.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

We are looking for a consultant to provide technical oversight, quality assurance, and risk management for the design, development, testing, and deployment of the Umbrella mobile app and the MHPSS app. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful digital solutions, ensuring high-quality standards and seamless implementation on UNICEF's uSupport platform.

The consultant shall collaborate closely with the UNICEF Romania Country Office, the UNICEF Regional Office, software developers, health sector experts, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the applications:

• Fulfil all functional and non-functional requirements
• Adhere to UNICEF’s digital health and child protection standards
• Comply with GDPR and Romanian data privacy regulations
• Follow ICT industry best practices, particularly in mobile application development and cybersecurity
• Remain scalable and interoperable with future UNICEF digital health initiatives

DELIVERABLES

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

EDUCATION

A university degree (Bachelors) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, ICT, Digital Health, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in  providing technical assistance and leadership in the design and implementation of digital solutions, including mobile applications, with at least five years specifically in the field of digital health (e-health).

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

LANGUAGES

Fluency in English and Romanian is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

DESIRED REQUIREMENTS

Additional Experience Required

• Proven knowledge of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Project Management methodologies.
• Strong understanding of software architecture styles and patterns, particularly those based on microservices, cloud-based solutions, and API integrations.
• Experience in digital transformation projects for the public sector (preferably in health or social services) is highly desirable.
• Prior experience working with UN agencies and familiarity with UNICEF-supported digital solutions is a significant advantage.

Skills & Competencies:

• Technical expertise in mobile application design, development and testing;
• Strong knowledge of relevant artefacts related to the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC);
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in digital projects implementation.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.