Position Title: Consultant (Software Developer)

Duty Station: Homebased

Type of Appointment: Consultancy Contract, 11 months

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 27 May 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context

The IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Bangkok, Thailand provides guidance and technical expertise to IOM Country Offices in the Asia Pacific Region aspiring to expand their Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) programming and to respective governmental counterparts to improve their migration and border management systems, processes and capacities. In coordination with IOM Samoa Country Office, the IBG Unit of ROAP is establishing a web-based reporting and information sharing platform where information on regular and irregular migration flows can be shared regionally among the Pacific Island Development Community (PIDC) participating member countries.

The initiative is based on existing platforms established by IOM’s Document Examination Support Center (DESC), which facilitates the exchange of non-sensitive information on document and identity fraud detected in Asia and part of the Pacific. To support this project, IOM is seeking a consultant as a Software Developer to establish a web-based platform working in consultation with IOM Samoa and IOM’s ROAP. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Programme Manager based in Apia, Samoa in close coordination with the IBG Unit in ROAP.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will deliver the following outcomes:

1. Provide assistance in enhancing a full range of IBG-related systems by:
   • Software development/coding to establish a new Reporting Information Sharing Platform;
   • Designing and administering IBG-developed database structure when needed;
   • Performing unit and integration tests to ensure high software quality and compatibility before deployment.
   • Following internal software development standards, version control and other processes;
2. Coordinate with the software development team of ROAP, in order to maintain and enhance in-house applications, such as, but not limited to, the Verifier Travel Document and Bearer (Verifier TD&B) and the Asian Network for Document Examination (ANDEX) Fraudulent Document Reporting System (AFDRS) and related border management information systems;
3. Update and install Verifier TD&B accordingly in relevant user countries;
4. Assist in the creation of necessary IT documentations, such as database diagrams, system architecture, technical specifications, test results, standard operating procedures and network implementation plan;
5. Ensure security features of relevant IOM tools are maintained, including but not limited to: hash existing passwords, encrypt user data, update login logic, secure API endpoints with JWT token);
6. Enhance existing login logic and account management on relevant IOM tools and platforms including but not limited to AFDRS, RISP, E-Library, Verifier TD&B E-Dashboards;
7. Provide assistance in the development and maintenance of websites and applications;
8. Assist in the hardware/software installation and configuration of relevant tools including the review of technical elements and rectify software issues as required;
9. Provide ICT related remote troubleshooting support and upgrades as needed;
10. Advise on the development and maintenance of Power BI interactive data visualization reporting (eDashboards);
11. Develop new user credentials for accessing a new information sharing platform and related IOM tools;
12. Support in the preparation of presentations in coordination with the Project Manager and Senior Regional IBG Specialist and/or related IOM staff;
13. Support day-to-day activities including participation in meetings, seminars and preparation of meeting minutes or notes for the file;
14. Assist in planning, delivery and evaluation of capacity building activities to support the operationalization of the information sharing platform;
15. Undertake duty travel as required;
16. Perform other related duties as may be assigned.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

1. The consultant shall develop a regional reporting information sharing platform in line with IOM ICT software development standards;
2. Support the streamline of data from related data sources for visualization using tools such as Power BI;
3. Develop an Architecture Framework and related documentation;
4. Maintain and enhance security features of IOM in-house developed tools;
5. Upgrade and install relevant software on IOM related tools including reports;
6. Support the presentation of the platform internally to IOM and wider PIDC member network;
7. Support the preparation of training material and capacity building training on the operationalization of the information sharing platform;
8. Incorporate feedback and input from relevant stakeholders to enhance the web-based platform.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Management Information Systems (MIS), IT, Computer Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• High school degree/certificate with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in software programming, database design and administration;
• Experience in the following areas preferred; system development with the software development kit (SDK), biometrics, and open source technology;
• Familiar with Microsoft Azure and software development tools;
• Experience in the delivery of presentations and trainings is an advantage;
• Experience of the region and experience working with international organizations or governmental institutions, in a multicultural setting, are distinct advantages;

Skills

• Proficient in one or more programming languages, preferably, C# .NET, Java, Python, Go, Ruby, PHP, JavaScript, HTML;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel (advance level) is an advantage;
• Knowledge of data visualization such as Power BI and DAX is advantage;

Languages

• Fluency in English language is required (oral and written).

Travel Required

• Potential travel to the Pacific Island Countries for the launch of the Reporting Information Sharing

General Information

• Homebased consultant needs to follow the following working hours: Monday to Friday (0900 – 1700 hrs.), Thailand (GMT +7)