Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.ย
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more atย undp.orgย or follow at @UNDP
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.ย
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
Over the past decade or more, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) has created automated systems for separate aspects of its work. As a result, it now has 14 different information systems.ย These include systems to facilitate online application processes (front-office work), automate business processes (back-office work), and store data on beneficiaries and the type of support they receive.ย However, these systems have been created in such a fragmented manner, and use such different software and technologies that it is impossible to link them up and make them interoperable.ย
This situation creates numerous inefficiencies. For example, citizens may have to submit the same documents several times in order to apply for different types of benefits or support.ย Case managers cannot access documentation on all the past and present support received by any given household or individual beneficiary. Apart from not having access to data which can help improve the timeliness and type of support provided, this situation has also reduced the Ministryโs capacity to identify and eliminate fraud.ย It hinders evidence-based policymaking, as data cannot be easily retrieved and merged to assess targeting efficiency. The latter is currently a source of great frustration within the Ministry, as it limits the data available to guide and inform the current reform processes. Lack of digital links to the territorial offices means that there is no way to document geographical inequalities in access to social services.ย
The Ministry has drawn up a Theory of Change (TOC) to underpin digitalization in the context of the Restart Reform Programme. Among them are three intermediate outcomes, namely:ย
Most-used social and employment services are pro-activated;ย Majority of social and employment services are radically simplified and digitalized;ย A national network of single window centres for social and employment services is functional through a new Automated Informational System (eSocial).The โDigital Transformation of Social Protectionโ Project, implemented by UNDP, aims to achieve the above objectives by addressing the fragmented digital infrastructure of the social protection system. UNDP Moldova envisioned a digitalization-oriented workstream dedicated to the meticulous redesign and digitalization of the social protection services. It aims to significantly enhance the functionalities of provision of social services, optimizing them for improved usability by MLSP personnel, management, and the public at large. UNDP has committed its support to the Ministry in constructing a new, integrated digital system โ eSocial โ for social protection services. The eSocial platform is Moldovaโs central digital infrastructure for managing social service programs. It is designed to consolidate multiple fragmented systems and processes under a common digital umbrella. Through secure, role-based access and integration with government platforms like MPass, MNotify, MLog, and MPay, eSocial enables standardized workflows, centralized data, and inter-institutional coordination. Additionally, the establishment of the Digital Center for Social Innovation (DCSI) within the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in 2024, is working to ensure self-sufficiency in software development and adaptation of automated systems to future demands.ย
The MLSP is currently implementing several major reforms, namely that of social services (RESTART); that of the National Employment Agency (NEA); that of the State Labour Inspectorate (SLI); and that of the National Council for Determination of Disability and Work Capacity (CNDDCM). Through the โDigital Transformation of Social Protectionโ Project, UNDP is supporting the digital aspects of all the reforms listed above, conferring transparency and efficiency to the comprehensive reform effort. This transformation will enable the Ministry to connect social benefits, services, employment programs, and energy subsidies into a coherent support framework. It strengthens Moldovaโs capacity to build a shock-responsive, citizen-centered, and evidence-driven social protection systemโaligned with the principles of human dignity, inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goal 1.3: \"Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems for all.\"
Duties and Responsibilities
The Frontend Specialist will work under the supervision of the Employment and Social Protection Programme Specialist and will contribute to the effective delivery of IT development activities for the eSocial platform. While having strong technical expertise, the role will primarily focus on ensuring quality assurance of frontend solutions developed by third-party contractors, supporting technical documentation and procurement processes, and maintaining high standards in user interface design, integration, and performance across eSocial modules.
More specifically, the Frontend Specialist will be responsible for:
Coordinate and ensure effective implementation of IT development for the eSocial platform:
Contribute to the preparation of Terms of Reference, especially the frontend-related technical specifications, for procurement of development services. Review and provide technical feedback during procurement processes (RfQs, ItBs, RfPs), including evaluation of proposals. Oversee the proper implementation and maintenance of frontend components across all eSocial modules, ensuring consistency, usability, and responsiveness. Conduct regular reviews of deliverables submitted by contractors to ensure code quality, compliance with UX/UI standards, and adherence to project requirements. Coordinate the deployment and testing phases for frontend components in collaboration with the backend and QA teams. Ensure the frontend solutions are well integrated with backend services and external platforms such as MPass, MNotify, MLog, and other government digital services.Technical Review and Requirements Alignment:
Review and validate frontend specifications provided by the project team to ensure they are technically feasible, consistent, and aligned with system architecture. Analyze user interface workflows and implementations to verify compliance with accessibility, usability, and performance standards. Assist in refining frontend requirements and technical documentation by providing expert input and identifying potential risks or inefficiencies. Support change management processes by contributing to the preparation of technical user documentation and reviewing training materials. Ensure user feedback and bug reports are addressed by validating fixes and improvements implemented by contractors.Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas:
Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application. Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDPโs engagement in this area.ย Promote advocacy for UNDPโs work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.ย The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ย Institutional Arrangement
The Frontend Specialist will work under the supervision of the Employment and Social Protection Programme Specialist, in close cooperation with the UNDP Moldova Country Office and overall project team, for an effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving project-related issues and information delivery.
He/she also will collaborate with other UN projects, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and other national stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactย Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsย Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityCross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange. Experience Design: Knowledge of experience design methodologies and ability to design end-to-end experiences that meet user and business needs Data analysis : Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision makingย Digital transformation design: Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organizationsย Data Engineering: Ability in programming languages such as SQL, Python, and R, be adept at finding warehousing solutions, and using ETL (Extract, Transfer, Load) tools, and understanding basic machine learning and algorithms.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field(s) is required, orย A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Minimum 5 years (with masterโs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorโs degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in project delivery of IT or digital transformation products.ยRequired Skills:
At least 2 years of experience in Angular, React, Vue, and/or other modern JavaScript frameworks.ย Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.ย Experience with TDD practices to ensure software quality.ย Familiarity with Docker and Kubernetes for development and deployment processes.ย In-depth knowledge of database systems like PostgreSQL, MSSQL and MongoDB.ย Experience with Elastic search, Grafana/Kibana for advanced search and analytics functionalities.ย Familiarity with Microsoft Azure services and cloud-based developmentย Skilled in implementing and managing DevOps practices, including Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment pipelines Strong proficiency in Agile methodologies for software development.Desired Skills:
Experience in working on interventions/projects in the ICT, smart technologies areas, and/or enhancement of public services.ย Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations.Required Languages:
Fluency in English and Romanian is required. Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.ยProfessional Certificates: Additional training and/or certification in project management (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile, etc.) would be an advantage.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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