VA024-2026 IT Solutions Developer (NOA) - Damascus

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP Syria relies on digital solutions, cloud infrastructure, data platforms and secure information flows to support beneficiary registration, identity management, programme delivery, in-kind distributions, monitoring, supply-chain operations, reporting and engagement with national institutions. These services require reliable application development, data engineering, cloud operations, cybersecurity, governance and business-continuity arrangements.

The IT Solutions Developer contributes to the design, implementation and sustainable operation of integrated digital solutions used across the Syria Country Office. The position combines solution architecture, software and database development, AWS cloud and DevOps operations, system integration, data quality, security and compliance, vendor coordination, technical documentation and support to business units, field offices, partners and government counterparts.

The assignment supports WFP's operational delivery and digital transformation priorities, including locally managed and corporate platforms, beneficiary and distribution solutions, data platforms, supply-chain applications and social-protection initiatives.

The role ensures that solutions are secure, interoperable, maintainable, documented and aligned with applicable WFP technology, data-protection and governance requirements.

JOB PURPOSE:

To lead and deliver secure, reliable and integrated IT solutions that enable WFP Syria's programme and operational objectives. The incumbent will translate business needs into practical architecture and implementation plans; coordinate development and vendors; manage cloud, database and integration components; strengthen cybersecurity and data governance; and ensure effective transition, documentation, capacity building and operational support.

CONTRACT DETAILS:

Contract Type: Fixed Term (NOA)

Duration: 12 months

Duty Stations: Damascus

Number of required employees: 1

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead requirements analysis and solution design for digital transformation initiatives, translating operational and programme needs into architecture, technical specifications, implementation roadmaps and measurable deliverables.
• Coordinate the development, enhancement and lifecycle management of beneficiary registration, identity management and assistance-delivery solutions, including data validation, deduplication, eligibility, intervention planning, distribution, reconciliation and operational reporting functions.
• Provide technical ownership and operational oversight for locally managed applications and data services, including data solutions, monitoring solutions and related integrations, subject to approved governance and organizational direction.
• Design, develop, review and maintain application components, APIs, data models, databases, ETL/ELT pipelines, serverless services and integrations using appropriate technologies such as Python, Django, REST services, SQL/PostgreSQL, React-based interfaces and AWS services.
• Administer and monitor authorized AWS environments supporting Country Office applications and data products, covering account and access management, infrastructure provisioning, deployments, databases, storage, logging, monitoring, backup, recovery, resilience, budget control and cost optimization.
• Establish and improve DevOps and software-delivery practices, including source control, branching and pull-request workflows, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, environment separation, release management, configuration control and technical quality assurance.
• Plan and coordinate unit, integration, security, performance and user-acceptance testing; manage releases, deployments, early-life support, incident resolution, root-cause analysis and continuous service improvement.
• Develop and maintain secure system-to-system integrations and control data exchange with corporate platforms, government systems, partners and authorized service providers, ensuring interoperability, traceability and data-quality controls.
• Apply cybersecurity, privacy and compliance requirements across applications, servers, databases and cloud environments, including vulnerability assessment and remediation, patching, least privilege, role-based access, encryption, audit logging, risk documentation, privacy-impact follow-up and authorization processes.
• Support data governance and responsible data management by defining data ownership, stewardship, data dictionaries, reference models, validation rules, retention requirements, access controls, data-sharing safeguards and accountable change-management procedures.
• Develop and maintain operational, management and analytical reporting solutions, ensuring data completeness, consistency, lineage, availability and controlled access for authorized users.
• Provide technical advisory support to social-protection and government digital-transformation initiatives, including infrastructure and hosting assessments, registry and MIS architecture, interoperability, secure data sharing, governance, TORs, technical specifications, vendor deliverables and phased transition plans.
• Lead or support technical procurement and vendor management by preparing TORs and evaluation criteria, clarifying requirements, monitoring milestones, reviewing technical outputs, coordinating testing and acceptance, and ensuring documentation and knowledge transfer.
• Plan, prioritize and distribute development and support work across team members; guide junior staff; review technical outputs; promote Agile ways of working; and maintain visibility of risks, dependencies, commitments and delivery timelines.
• Coordinate with Programme, Supply Chain, RAM/VAM/M&E, Data Protection, Finance, HR, field offices, Regional Bureau, Headquarters, UN partners, service providers and government counterparts to resolve issues and deliver sustainable solutions.
• Prepare and maintain technical architecture documents, data-flow diagrams, database models, API documentation, runbooks, SOPs, support procedures, release notes, user guides, inventories and handover packages.
• Design and deliver technical training, mentoring and capacity-building activities for WFP staff, partners and government counterparts, with emphasis on sustainable ownership and reduced dependency on individual staff or vendors.
• Contribute to budget planning, cost forecasting, resource planning, business cases, risk assessments and management reporting for IT solutions, cloud services, security remediation and digital-transformation initiatives.
• Maintain business-continuity and knowledge-retention arrangements for critical services, including ownership records, backup coverage, recovery procedures, transition plans and escalation paths.
• Perform any other duties consistent with the position as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, data Engineering, Cloud Computing or another relevant field, or a first university degree with additional years of relevant professional experience. Additional relevant certifications are desirable.

Experience:

With a master’s degree: At least one (1) years of professional experience, or a bachelor’s degree with at least three (3) years of professional experience in the design, development, integration, deployment and support of business-critical IT solutions. Demonstrated experience with software development, relational databases, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, data integration, technical documentation, stakeholder coordination and production support. Experience in humanitarian operations, digital assistance, social protection or government-facing transformation initiatives is an advantage.

Knowledge & Skills:

· Strong knowledge in solution architecture, software development lifecycle, Agile delivery and technical project coordination.

· Hands-on ability in Python/Django or comparable backend frameworks, REST APIs, SQL and relational database design; working knowledge of modern web front-end technologies.

· Practical experience with PostgreSQL, SQL Server and/or MySQL, including data modelling, migration, integration, performance analysis, backup and recovery.

· Practical knowledge of AWS cloud services, serverless architectures, identity and access management, monitoring, logging, backup, resilience and cost management.

· Experience with Git, Azure DevOps or equivalent tools, CI/CD, automated testing, release management and environment controls.

· Knowledge in data engineering, ETL/ELT, data quality, deduplication, reporting and analytics platforms.

· Sound understanding of cybersecurity, vulnerability remediation, privacy, PII safeguards, role-based access, auditability and technology governance.

· Ability to prepare TORs, technical specifications, architecture documents, SOPs, data-flow diagrams, database models, user guides and management reports.

· Ability to manage vendors, coordinate multidisciplinary stakeholders, guide technical staff and communicate complex matters to technical and non-technical audiences.

· Ability to work under pressure, prioritize competing operational needs and maintain continuity of critical services.

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.