Software Development Specialist

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture. Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply; Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (-) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project “UTF/SAU//SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (-). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision . The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods. 
The position is located in the premises of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports directly to the Chief Technical Adviser of Natural resources management component of the SRAD project and in collaboration with the Chief Technical Adviser of the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme.

Technical Focus 

Software development and information management, Conceptualization, design, development, and testing of web-based applications and digital platforms, Designing and implementing integrated relational databases, Developing user-friendly web-based data visualization tools and dashboards, Mobile application development and oversight of contracts with service providers, Designing and developing digital repositories for digital documents and geospatial data, Ensuring data security and compliance with FAO corporate policies.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Software Development Specialist will contribute to the accomplishment of outputs of all FAO projects and components. The Specialist will support the development of the wide range of software, applications, and specific data and information management tools to ensure FAO KSA can efficiently share data, information, knowledge, tools, and experiences arising from its projects including the SRAD project. The consultant will work in close consultation with FAO KSA technical experts to lead and deliver the following:
• Conceptualization, specification, design, development, and testing of web-based applications and digital platforms for FAO KSA projects including the Sustainable Rural Agriculture Development (SRAD) project.
• Design, development, testing, and implementation of integrated relational databases for FAO KSA projects.
• Development of data and information management tools and applications for data collections, processing, analysis, and reporting.
• Development data and information discovery features including metadata, subject keywords tagging, querying, and filtering tools among others following international best practices and in reference to relevant FAO tools and facilities such as AGROVOC and AIMS.
• Development of user-friendly web-based data and information visualization tools and dashboards including pdf reports, pivot tables, graphs, and web map among others.
• Develop and test mobile application prototypes and overseen contracts with service providers for development and launch mobile application in line with requirements of different FAO KSA projects.
• Design and develop digital repositories for both digital documents and geo-spatial data using state of the art digital repository tools such and DSpace, GeoNode and CKAN.
• Development learning platform to allow MoEWA and NCVC staff and other stakeholders have access to self-paced learning and skills development resources in relevant areas of FAO work in KSA.
• Configure services to integrate data from the different KSA projects and components services and relevant external sources and design, document and publish API to share these data with others.
• Test, debug, and maintain software, applications, and services and address any reported performance issues and ensure security of data, software, and application in line with FAO data policy and other relevant security protocols and policies applicable in KSA.
• Coordinate with relevant FAO HQ units to ensure adherence with FAO corporate data and information policies and efficient support of HQ for FAO KSA software and applications needs.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field 
• A minimum of 7 years of working experience in designing, developing, testing, and implementing integrated relational databases.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English for Personal Service Agreement, knowing one of the FAO languages is an asset. For COF, working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

• Strong understanding of programming languages such as Java, Python, JavaScript, or similar.
• Knowledge of database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle.
• Proficient in conceptualizing, specifying, designing, developing, and testing web-based applications and digital platforms.
• Skilled in developing data and information management tools and applications for data collection, processing, analysis, and reporting.
• Familiar with developing data and information discovery features following international best practices and referencing relevant FAO tools such as AGROVOC and AIMS.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Concrete experience and passion for one or more of the following specialisations and/or technologies: 
o Proficient in developing user-friendly web-based data visualization tools and dashboards, including reports, pivot tables, graphs, and web maps.UX/UI – Design, business models, success KPIs, human-centred design, storyboarding and customer journeys, internationalisation and multi-cultural interfaces, material-design.
o Mobile/Web/Front End AppDev – Flutter & Dart, Angular, React, PWA, Android Native.
o Backend AppDev – Serverless Firebase, Cloud Functions, Cloud APIs, Java/Spring, Python, Flask, Django, NodeJS, RoR
o Data Visualization – R Shiny, Tableau, PowerBI, Data Studio.Data Engineering – Realtime, Internet of Things, BigData, Geospatial, Talend, Data Flow and Integration, Analytics, Predication Modelling and Machine Learning. Jupyter Notebooks, Python Pandas, Airflow/DataFlow, BigQuery, Cloud Composer, GEE, CKAN

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing) Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at For more information, visit the FAO employment website Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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