Background

The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) mission, as part of the United Nations system, is to achieve sustainable development and fight poverty wherever it is greatest. This requires the absolute best of us, world-class collaboration, innovative thinking, resilient-based strategies, and continuous learning. UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice comes from having the trust of developing countries, owing to our impartial character, transparency, and longstanding presence and commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable. We offer opportunities to make a lasting difference to the more than 170 countries where we commit our support and expertise.

The Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) Program is a flagship program of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aimed at addressing the gaps in local public service delivery by improving citizens access to local government e-Services. The program is being implemented in three (3) Outcomes, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Outcome 1. Citizens and other vulnerable groups efficiently utilize digital facilities and citizen-centric e-services provided by selected BARMM LGUs and key partners.

Outcome 2. Enhanced capacities of MILG for data-driven e-governance at the regional and local level.

Outcome 3. Enabling environment that supports e-governance

The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MILG-BARMM) is dedicated to improving governance and service delivery throughout the Bangsamoro region. MILG-BARMM recognizes the necessity of an integrated digital infrastructure that facilitates seamless information sharing, enhances operational efficiency, and promotes better resource management. This supports its mandate to provide consistent and quality services to communities within BARMM.

Under Outcome 2, which focuses on strengthening MILG's capacities for data-driven e-governance, the program is assisting MILG personnel in process improvements, automation, and data analytics essential for fostering responsive local governance and timely decision-making. The MILG has identified the need to shift from outsourced software services to an in-house end-to-end software solution. This move is part of a long-term strategy to build MILG's internal IT capacity, allowing them to develop in-house expertise and accommodate the growing demand for system scalability, improve business processes, and gain greater control over critical internal systems.

The software developer will contribute to building a harmonized in-house system that covers multiple business processes—including Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, and Administration -within a single, cohesive platform. The objective is to deliver a robust, reliable, and tailored solution that meets MILG’s specific needs and supports the broader goals of enhanced e-governance under the LeAPS program.

The program seeks to hire a Software Developer to assist MILG in designing, developing, and implementing software solutions that address MILG’s business requirements. By the end of the assignment, MILG will have a prototype or pilot version of one or two key modules of the web-based application, with a clear roadmap for future development and scaling.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The Software Developer will work alongside MILG’s three programmers and a Business Process and ICT Analyst, contributing to software development activities within this established team, and is expected to do the following:

Engage with MILG and the Business Process and ICT Analyst to gather the details of the requirements. Prepare the Software Requirements Specifications (SRS) and obtain sign-off from MILG to ensure the software meets users' needs. Based on the gathered requirements, the developer will work closely with MILG’s team to support the design, development, and implementation of specific software modules such as user management, access control, security, and workflow following the direction and oversight of the LeAPS Program technical leads and MILG stakeholders. Support the MILG in developing and maintaining web applications for both the front-end and back-end. This involves creating the user interface and user experience, as well as writing the code that powers the software applications and web applications. Additionally, it includes developing and maintaining databases, which entails designing the database schema, writing SQL queries, and optimizing database performance. For sustainability, the web applications must be compatible with MILG's existing development tools and database platform, which include PHP using the Laravel framework, JavaScript, and MySQL technologies. Also, the role involves maintaining legacy codebases originally developed by previous MILG developers, which includes fixing bugs, adding new features, and refactoring existing code. Provide troubleshooting support in person, over the phone, and through email as needed to assist MILG with ongoing system issues and concerns. Integrate external software libraries and APIs to leverage existing software functionality without the need to re-write it. Provide technical assistance and support during trainings, workshops, and seminars related to the deliverables. The developer will primarily focus on technical orientation and hands-on guidance, while training facilitation and user capacity-building will be coordinated and shared with MILG and UNDP staff. Finalization of user manuals and training materials will be a collaborative effort to ensure quality and completeness.

Institutional Arrangement

Overall direction and guidance shall be provided by the UNDP Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Programme, while the LeAPS Program Manager shall perform day-to-day supervision with oversight from the Programme Analyst. Additionally, the role requires close coordination with the MILG ICT team to ensure technical alignment and effective collaboration in daily activities.

Competencies

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 1: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 1: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 1: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 1: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 1: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 1: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

CROSS FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Business Management; Operations Management

Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee the operation's business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner, Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms

Business Management: Customer Satisfaction/ Client Management

Ability to research and turn information into usual knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and turn information into usual knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Digital: Agile methodologies and practices

Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organizing cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field is required.

A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Master’s degree holder (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study is required to have at least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the design, development, testing, and optimization of software applications.

Bachelor’s degree holder (or equivalent) must also have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience.

Desirable Knowledge, Experiences and Skills

Proven experience developing applications with Laravel. Strong proficiency in database design and management (MySQL preferred). Demonstrated ability to design user-friendly interfaces and enhance user experience (UI/UX). Experience deploying applications on AWS and understanding of cybersecurity best practices. Familiarity with government processes and compliance requirements.

Required Language(s)

Fluency in spoken and written English and Filipino is required

Professional Certificates

Professional certifications in Software Development are preferred

Others

A resident of BARMM or Mindanao is highly preferred

Travel

The Software Developer is expected to travel to various areas in Mindanao and BARMM to assist in the conduct of trainings/workshops/seminars.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position. Samples of relevant work. Candidate can list URLs of existing work or may submit two (2) certificates of project completion or acceptance of successful implementations of a system issued by two different previous employers.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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