Full-stack developer, Food Security Monitoring Systems

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Full-stack developer, Food Security Monitoring Systems

Type of Contract: Consultancy

Division: Hunger Monitoring Unit / Research, Assessment and Monitoring Division

Duty Station (City, Country): HQ-Rome

Duration: 6 months from Entry on Duty 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Hunger Monitoring Unit (RAMH) in WFP’s Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) Division manages WFP’s global hunger monitoring systems, building upon the successes of the mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) initiative. This entails the establishment and oversight of WFP’s near real-time food security monitoring systems in close to 40 countries, as well as developing and refining advanced analytical approaches – including predictive analytics capacities – in collaboration with internal and external partners to ensure timely and holistic views of the food security situation globally. Data from these systems flows into the HungerMap LIVE (hungermap.wfp.org), WFP’s global hunger monitoring system. This information is also published through Global and Regional Insights and Key Trends reports and other related resources, enabling decision makers to monitor the situation effectively and adopt early mitigation actions.
The consolidation and scale-up of these analysis pipelines requires the Hunger Monitoring Unit to invest time and resources in transitioning prototypes to production. To support this effort, WFP is recruiting a full-stack developer with a proven track record of developing and maintaining open-source technology, ready to support software development projects in the team.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The consultant will join the Hunger Monitoring Unit’s team in Rome under the direct supervision of the Lead Software Engineer, and will be responsible for the following activities:
 

• Assist in data integration initiatives including near real-time data ingestion, processing, dashboards, bulletins and visualizations.
• Deploy and maintain HungerMap LIVE features and data layers.
• Support infrastructure maintenance activities as needed.
• Advise on software development practices.
• Contribute to the harmonization of tools and development patterns, including code maintenance in version control, system management through automation, and deployment strategies.
• Undertake field missions for country support and facilitate trainings targeting WFP staff and partners.
• Liaise with RAM’s Information Officer and WFP’s IT department to ensure compliance on the above.
• Perform any other task as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Develop, test, and deploy new features and data-layers to HungerMap LIVE.
• Improvements to existing user-interface.
• Contribute to current development efforts.
• Support infrastructure maintenance and improvements.
• Facilitate trainings on data security, storage, scripting and coding best practices.
• Facilitate trainings on software development.

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics or similar. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

At least 4 years of experience in IT related field with a focus on React, Python, and AWS.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Proficiency in React, Redux, and other front-end technologies.
• Expertise in Python and its frameworks such as Django or Flask.
• Strong knowledge of AWS services such as EC2, S3, Lambda, and CloudFormation.
• Familiarity with databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB.
• Experience with Git version control.
• Experience with deployment strategies, Docker, Kubernetes continuous integration, Unit Testing.
• Experience visualizing geo-data (Leaflet, Mapbox) is an asset.
• Experience in GIS (QGIS, GDAL, PostGIS) is an asset.

Languages:

Excellent spoken and written English; spoken and written French highly desired.

Terms and Conditions:

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 12 March 2023

Ref.: VA No. 547471

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.