IT Consultant for Website Technical Support and Optimization (National, Belarus) - Req#576757

The purpose of this assignment is to hire an IT consultant to provide technical support and enhancements for the website that serves UNICEF's SBC campaign "Просто дети в школе" and collects information on our ECI work. This resource is a critical communication tool created through a grant from the Russian Federation and mentioned in all current distributing materials, and donor reports. The website currently operates on an outdated software platform, posing significant risks to its stability, security, and overall functionality. It has experienced intermittent faults, indicating a need for immediate technical intervention. Additionally, the site uses an insecure protocol and lacks a user data collection notice, which is a legal requirement in Belarus.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, chance 

Consultancy Title: IT Consultant for Website Technical Support and Optimization (National, Belarus)

Section/Division/Duty Station: Communication, Partnerships & ECD sections, UNICEF Belarus CO

Duration: November - December 2024 (about 2 months)

Home/ office Based: Remote / Home-based (visits to the office might be required)

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. Over 75 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and abuse. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The purpose of this assignment is to hire an IT consultant to provide technical support and enhancements for the website that serves UNICEF's SBC campaign "Просто дети в школе" and collects information on our ECI work. This resource is a critical communication tool created through a grant from the Russian Federation and mentioned in all current distributing materials, and donor reports. The website currently operates on an outdated software platform, posing significant risks to its stability, security, and overall functionality. It has experienced intermittent faults, indicating a need for immediate technical intervention. Additionally, the site uses an insecure protocol and lacks a user data collection notice, which is a legal requirement in Belarus.

Scope of Work:

1) Updating Software Platform (Client and Server):

• Upgrade the current CMS to the latest version.
• Identify all installed plugins and modules, assess their compatibility with the latest CMS version, and update or replace them with alternatives if necessary.
• Coordinate with the hosting provider to upgrade the PHP version to the latest supported version compatible with the updated software platform.

2) Internal and External Optimization:

• Clean up unnecessary files and data to improve website speed.
• Optimizing the site code, checking the site code for errors that affect the site indexing in search engines.
• Implement caching mechanisms to reduce load times.
• Optimize the website's front-end performance, including CSS, JavaScript, robots.txt, sitemap.xml and images.
• Improve website load times and overall user experience.
• Conduct SEO optimization.

3) Compliance with Legislation of the Republic of Belarus:

• Implement a clear and concise notice on the website regarding data collection practices in accordance with local legislation.
• Update the privacy policy to reflect current laws and data protection practices.
• Conduct a review of the website to ensure compliance with all aspects of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

4) Installation and Configuration of Website Analytics Systems:

• Install and configure a comprehensive web analytics tool (Google Analytics, Yandex.Metrika) to track behavioral factors, traffic sources, and other key metrics.
• Set up tracking for key actions on the website to measure campaign effectiveness.
• Configure automatic generation and sending of regular performance reports to relevant stakeholders.

5) Security Enhancements:

• Acquire/create and install an SSL certificate on the website and enable a secure protocol for the entire site.
• Configure the website and server in accordance with best security practices, including but not limited to:

- Regular security scans.

- Regular backups and disaster recovery plans.

• Enhanced security settings at both the server and CMS levels.
• Implementation and configuration of a module or script for local site backup

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables / Delivery Deadline:

Travel (if required as per TOR): No travels required within this assignment

Qualifications

 Education:

• University degree with a focus in Computer Science, Information Technology Sciences or other related fields.

Work experience/Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least 3-5 years of experience in web development, system administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience with CMS platforms, especially with updates and plugin management.
• Demonstrated experience in website optimization, including SEO, performance enhancements, and front-end optimization.
• Experience in compliance with data protection laws, specifically for the Republic of Belarus.
• Proficiency in installing and configuring web analytics systems.
• Strong background in web security practices, including SSL implementation and server configuration.

Competencies:

• Meticulous attention to detail in code optimization, compliance checks, and security configurations.
• Competency in managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion.
• Commitment to staying updated with the latest trends and advancements in web development, security, and compliance.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve common goals.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Interested applicants should provide a letter of interest (Cover Letter) describing how they can contribute to the interventions listed under roles and responsibilities and why they should be selected for this position. In addition, they should share their latest CV/Resume and financial proposal to undertake this job.
• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal should be submitted using the financial offer template  Financial Offer template_ IT Consultant for Website.docx and must:
  • Reflect the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment period (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • Include travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR. Consultants are responsible for arranging their own transportation arrangements. UNICEF can provide office vehicle for some duty travel missions with prior agreement as per monthly travel plan approved by the supervisor.
  • Include any other costs: health insurance, payment of an incidental expenditure (such as bank charges, insurances, etc.) and living costs as applicable.
• Indicate your availability.
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.