App Development and Support Officer

Mission and objectivesThe UN Development Programme is the lead UN agency fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in more than 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. In the Pacific, UNDP provides regional and country support to ten countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) and regional support to five countries (Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tokelau), together with a total population of 2.4 million. UNDP is guided by a Sub-regional Programme Document for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories 2018-2022, which in turn contributes to the achievement of an overarching UN system-wide Pacific Strategy. The Programme is shaped to assist countries to advance the global 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda tailored to each country's priorities, through focus on data, policy prioritization, participatory planning, and budgeting and monitoring - and with accelerated action to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP seeks to target the most vulnerable i.e. people experiencing hardship, the marginalized living in remote rural areas, those who are vulnerable to climate and disaster risks, as well as women and youth excluded from socio-political and economic participation. UNDP adheres to an inclusive, pro-poor and human rights-based approaches that leverage cross-practice, multi-disciplinary expertise of UNDP.

ContextThis UN Volunteer assignment is part of the Voter Outreach for Transparent Elections (VOTE) project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) and supported by the Governments of New Zealand and Australia. The project supports the development and rollout of the iParticipate App—a digital platform designed to enhance civic education, voter engagement, and access to electoral information across Fiji. The App Development and Support Officer will provide technical support to the implementation of the iParticipate App, working closely with the app development team, UNDP, and FEO to ensure the platform is functional, user-friendly, and aligned with project goals.

Task DescriptionUnder the supervision of the Pacific Outreach and Inclusion Advisor and the Stakeholder Engagement and Awareness Department Manager, and in coordination with the iParticipate App developers, the UN Volunteer will: • Coordinate Technical Implementation: • Support the integration and testing of app features in collaboration with the external development team. • Ensure technical requirements are met, including accessibility, multilingual support, and mobile responsiveness. • Provide Technical Support and Troubleshooting: • Monitor app performance and functionality. • Identify and report bugs or issues, and coordinate timely resolution with developers. • Support Documentation and User Guidance: • Assist in drafting technical documentation, user manuals, and training materials. • Provide technical input during user training sessions and onboarding of FEO staff. • Facilitate Feedback Loops: • Collect and analyze user feedback to inform iterative improvements. • Support the implementation of updates and enhancements based on feedback and usage data. • Coordinate with Stakeholders: • Maintain regular communication with UNDP, FEO, and the app development team to ensure alignment on timelines, deliverables, and technical standards. • Support Website Backend Updates: • Assist with backend updates and maintenance of the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) and Electoral Commission (EC) websites to ensure consistency and integration with the iParticipate App. • Ensure timely posting of digital content and technical alignment between platforms.

Competencies and valuesAccountability Adaptability and Flexibility Creativity Judgement and Decision-Making Professionalism Planning and Organising Self-Management

Living conditions and remarksFiji, one of the larger countries in the South Pacific region, has a relatively high level of human development and is one of the most developed economies in the region. Fiji became independent in 1970. Its multi-ethnic population, which numbers approximately 900,000, is growing slowly due to a moderately low level of fertility and a high level of emigration. The economy rests primarily on sugar production and tourism but is becoming more diverse, with manufacturing now an important sector of employment. The unit of currency is the Fiji dollar. Fiji comprises approximately 330 islands, approximately a third of which are inhabited. Fiji covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The capital city is Suva, which is located on the south-eastern side of the main island of Viti Levu. The population is made up of a mixture of native Melanesian and Polynesian islanders and a blend of Indian, European, Chinese, Rotuman, and Rabi islanders, making it a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, sights, sounds, and exotic island delicacies. English is spoken widely on the island, and it is the common language of communication, although the native indigenous Fijian language is spoken by many, as is the Hindi language. Fiji enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year, due to the large expanses of open water that surround its islands. The wet season extends from November to April, but rainfall occurs throughout the year. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous. Fiji enjoys year-round tropical temperatures of between 25 and 29 degrees with generally high humidity, making it a perfect location for sun-lovers. Suva, the capital of Fiji, has a population of approximately 141,000 and is a multiracial and multicultural city. Suva is the largest city in the whole of the region, but it remains easy-going and friendly. It has reasonably modern facilities, including two large hospitals, sporting facilities, restaurants, and supermarkets. Modest accommodation is readily available in Suva, but the availability of small apartments is limited. An open mind and flexibility come in handy when looking for housing in Suva. The public transport is quite good: local buses run every day of the week, and taxis are affordable. Public transport is also available for exploring and visiting other parts of the country, which provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and tropical nature.