International Consultant
Vacancy Notice # 2014-10
Summary
Title
Purpose
Location
Duration
Start Date
Reporting to
Technology for Development Consultant
Mobile Solutions Developer
Dar es Salaam
11 months
December 2014
Knowledge Management Specialist
1. Background
UNICEF Tanzania Country office
UNICEF has been on the ground in Tanzania since 1954 as part of its emergency operations, though
the office was set up in 1975. Since then, UNICEF’s assistance to Tanzania has taken many forms
guided by the changing situation of women and children in Tanzania, national and organization
priorities.
UNICEF plays a unique role in Tanzania as an advocate for children’s rights, identifying gaps in
their realization, providing technical advice and assistance to the government in addressing the gaps,
and bringing evidence to the table.
In application of the Convention of the rights of the child, UNICEF engages in a broad spectrum of
development interventions to ensure that children’s issues are prioritized and resources are leveraged
for national scale up.
The UNICEF programme for Tanzania is integrated into the United Nations Development Assistance
Plan (UNDAP) for Tanzania that runs from July 2011 to June 2016. The UNDAP is the business
plan for all the 20 UN agencies, funds and programmes operating in Tanzania. UNICEF, like other
UN agencies, is responsible for delivering on a set of key actions that contribute to shared results,
derived through the national poverty reduction strategies.
The current Country Programme addresses eight main areas - Health and Nutrition, Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene, Children and AIDS, Education Equity and Quality, Child Protection, Social Policy and
Analysis, Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships.
Technology for Development
UNICEF Tanzania Country Office is making rapid progress in leveraging technology for programme
solutions. Thus far, a number of technology solutions have been developed and implemented by
UNICEF Tanzania Country Office in response to programme needs as well as for internal knowledge
management and efficiency. This has resulted in increased recognition for T4D solutions and
demand for technical support by programme sections. Therefore, Tanzania is establishing an
Innovation Lab to cope with the demand and strengthen its T4D capability. The Innovation Lab will
be an incubation space where innovative ideas are quickly translated into products and tested for
viability.
1
2. Purpose of Assignment
Telecommunications is one of the fastest growing sectors in Tanzania and the relevance and reach of
mobile technologies for development is only going to increase in the future. UNICEF Tanzania
Country Office plans to utilize SMS. IVR. USSD, and smartphone applications to conduct various
programs intended to have positive social impact in Tanzania. Given UNICEF’s equity-based
approach, mobile-based services will provide cost effective and innovative solutions for achieving
programme results, particularly in trying to reach out to the most remote and vulnerable groups.
UNICEF Tanzania country office is seeking a mobile application developer, focusing on mobile and
web development using various technologies. The consultant will develop Graphical User Interface
(GUI), application (functionality) and database layers, as well as maintaining software applications,
documentation, generating APIs and application notes, testing applications, and fixing bugs.
The successful candidate will work on multiple projects. Therefore, applicants should be experienced
in more than one platform have object oriented design experience and understanding of one or more
major relational database management systems. Applicants should also have extensive experience
Human Center Design.
3. Specific Tasks
1. Gather requirements around functionality and translate those requirements into elegant
functional solutions
2. Conduct user acceptance testing to ensure the program can be used easily, quickly and
accurately
3. Perform direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating
efficiency or adapt to new requirements
4. Work with implementation partners, mobile network operators and vendors to ensure the
successful delivery and provision of quality products & services
5. Produce detailed documentation on technical specifications; user guide; challenges and
lessons learned
6. Build capacity of partners through trainings and hands on support
7. Learn new models, techniques, and technologies as they emerge, integrating knowledge from
multiple sources to bring new solutions to business problems
4. Expected Deliverables




Functional mobile applications
User and technical documentation
Project documentations
Training and hands on support provided to partners
2
5. Reporting
The consultant will be required to provide weekly status updates and monthly progress reports.
6. Expected Background and Experience
1. Advanced University degree in software engineering, computer science or related fields with
solid foundation in mobile application development, with strong competencies in data
structures, algorithms and human centered design.
2. At least five years of professional work experience in mobile application development.
3. Deep technical knowledge of mobile application development - specifically USSD, IVR,
STK, and smartphone platforms.
4. Technical coding skills with Python, objective C or C++, SQL, Java, HTML5,
5. Knowledge of RapidSMS & Rapidpro is an asset
6. Experience working with MNOs and aggregators
7. Experience in setting up and managing SMS gateway and integration with MNOs.
General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics
 The consultant will work primarily from the UNICEF office in Dar es Salaam with periodic
travel to the field.
 The consultant is entitled to DSA at the prevailing UN rate for travel outside of Dar es Salaam.
 The consultant will be provided with a laptop and any necessary office supplies to complete the
assignment
 The consultant is authorized to access UNICEF transport and/or UN approved airline in economy
class for travel to the field
 The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis subject to satisfactory performance and
submission of a consultancy evaluation. The consultant will not be paid during days off or while
on sick leave.
Policy both parties should be aware of:
 Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 21 working days, and fees are prorated
accordingly. Consultants are not paid for weekends or public holidays.
 Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract
agreement.
 No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or
Contractor.
 For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or
email. Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel
Authorization is issued.
 No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorization prior to the commencement of the
journey to the duty station.
 Unless authorized, UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant. In exceptional cases, the
consultant may be authorized to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most
economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to beforehand.
 Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
3
 Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor
prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance,
including Medical Evacuation.
 The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant
upon arrival, at the HR Section
Qualified candidates for this consultancy should submit their application along with updated CV and
cover letter to The Human Resource Manager, UNICEF Tanzania Country Office, Dar es Salaam,
and sent to hr.tanzania@unicef.org indicating clearly Consultancy number 2014-10 as well as their
current consultancy fee, on or before the closing date of 12 November 2014. Only short-listed
candidates will be contacted.
Qualified Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF is a smoke-free environment.
4