Product Developer

Result of ServiceThe BMZ-funded UNITAC project \"Just transitions in vulnerable places – Digital solutions for more climate resilient informal areas in Namibia\" aims to support various urban stakeholders with digital tools and strategies to support data-driven decision-making and climate resilient urban planning. In 2024, the project successfully co-produced a prototype for digitalising various business processes in local authorities in Namibia. The Digital Job Card is a web and mobile application designed to work both online and offline. The app aims to digitalize the process of creating and tracking job cards for different urban services or issues such as water meter readings, electricity fault reporting, or building inspection for local authorities in Namibia. In 2025, the project objective is to: 1). convert the prototype into a product with a comprehensive product plan, and 2). ensure uptake of the tool within 4 partner towns, as well as providing technical support and feedback to the UNITAC project team Work LocationNamibia Expected duration7 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesAbout UN-Habitat The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the lead United Nations agency for cities and human settlements. The agency is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all and sustainable development. The main documents outlining the mandate of the organization are the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, the Habitat Agenda, the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium, and UN General Assembly Resolution A/56/206. UN-Habitat, being the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system, has a role in delivering the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by Member States in 2015, specifically goal 11: make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. As our cities and towns grow at unprecedented rates, setting the social, political, cultural and environmental trends of the world, sustainable urbanization is one of the most pressing challenges for the global community in the 21st century. In 1950, one-third of the world’s population lived in cities. Just 50 years later, this proportion has risen to one-half and will continue to grow to two-thirds, or six billion people, by 2050. Cities are now home to half of humankind. They are the hub for national production and consumption - economic processes that generate wealth and opportunity. But they also create disease, crime, pollution and poverty. In many cities, especially in developing countries, slum dwellers number more than 50% of the population and have little or no access to shelter, water and sanitation. 2. United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC Hamburg) UNITAC is a UN entity managed by UN-Habitat in partnership with the United Nations Office for Information and Communication Technology and HafenCity University, a German technical university with a focus on the built environment. Using an accelerator model, UNITAC harnesses digital technologies, data, and innovation to drive sustainable urban development. The team applies cutting-edge methods in innovation, prototyping, and applied research to develop solutions aligned with the UN System-Wide Strategy on Sustainable Urbanization and the Sustainable Development Goals. These solutions are tested and piloted with local governments and global partners through established networks including UN-Habitat’s country and regional offices. Duties and Responsibilities: The consultant will work under the overall leadership of the UNITAC Hamburg Programme Management Officer, and closely coordinate with the UNITAC Hamburg team and partner entities. He/She will perform the following: • Convert the prototype into a product o Develop a comprehensive product plan o Create detailed technical documentation including system architecture o Deployment and distribution of tool o Publish source code o Create user manuals and system administrator guides • Support adoption of Digital Job Card by local towns in Namibia o Create demonstration materials highlighting key features, benefits and case studies o Prepare for and attend Product Launch • Provide technical support and feedback to the UNITAC project team o Participate in regular progress reviews and technical meetings o Document technical challenges and solutions o Establish key performance indicators to measure adoption the consultant will work under the overall leadership of the UNITAC Hamburg Programme Management Officer, and closely coordinate with the UNITAC Hamburg team and partner entities Qualifications/special skillsBachelor's degree, in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a directly related field is required. A minimum of four years of experience in implementing open data management/ platforms and (geospatial) data standards (e.g., OGC) with a focus on the data collection and transformation side of the process is required. Previous involvement in data collection from either on-site sources (e.g., sensor data and surveys) or REST APIs, web scraping, and other third-party partners is desirable. Experience in ETL process: data extraction, orchestrating data pipelines, and data transformation using Apache Airflow (other data orchestration tools would be an advantage. Previous experience with applied statistics, machine learning algorithms (classification, prediction, and deep learning methods), and at least one machine learning tool (e.g., TensorFlow, Pytorch, or Keras) is desirable LanguagesFluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN Language is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.