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.
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 at undp.org 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.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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 Ministry’s capacity to identify and eliminate fraud. 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.
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:
Most-used social and employment services are pro-activated; Majority of social and employment services are radically simplified and digitalized; A national network of single window centres for social and employment services is functional through a new Automated Informational System (eSocial).The “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” 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 – eSocial – for social protection services. The eSocial platform is Moldova’s 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.
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 “Digital Transformation of Social Protection” 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 Moldova’s capacity to build a shock-responsive, citizen-centered, and evidence-driven social protection system—aligned 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 Backend Specialist will work under the supervision of the Employment and Social Protection Programme Specialist and will ensure the provision of high-quality technical support for the development and maintenance of the eSocial platform. While this is a senior technical position, the role is focused on architecture supervision, quality assurance, and ensuring alignment with best practices in backend development and integration.
More specifically, the Backend Specialist will be responsible for:
System Architecture Oversight and Development Quality Assurance of eSocial platform
Supervise the backend architecture of all components developed for the eSocial platform, ensuring scalability, security, and long-term maintainability. Conduct systematic code reviews and provide detailed feedback to development contractors. Monitor the quality of deliverables produced by contractors related to backend development and integration, ensuring they meet technical specifications and adhere to industry standards. Support the maintenance and technical optimization of backend components in production environments, including load performance and stability improvements. Ensure backend solutions follow DevOps practices and are compatible with CI/CD pipelines.Integration and Platform Supervision
Ensure robust integration between eSocial and external platforms, especially government services such as MPass, MNotify, MLog, MPay, MConnect, MTender, and MCloud. Coordinate backend integration flows for modules such as Specialized Case Management, Data Warehouse, and inter-institutional data exchange. Identify and address backend issues that may hinder interconnectivity, scalability, or system performance.Support to Procurement and Documentation
Provide technical input for backend-related sections of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for development and maintenance contracts. Review technical proposals submitted by vendors and participate in the technical evaluation process, when relevant. Provide post-contract award technical support during the implementation and testing phases, including participation in validation activities.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 UNDP’s engagement in this area. Promote advocacy for UNDP’s work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement:
The Backend 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 impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 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 demands 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 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 making Digital transformation design: Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organizations 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:
Master's degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field(s) is required, or Bachelor’s 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 master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in project delivery of IT or digital transformation products.Required skills:
At least experience of 3 years in Angular, React, Vue, and/or other modern JavaScript frameworks. Advanced knowledge of C#, ASP.NET, MVC, Entity Framework, and other .NET technologies. Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS) and microservices architecture. Skilled in implementing and managing DevOps practices, including Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment pipelines. Experience with Elasticsearch, Grafana/Kibana for advanced search and analytics functionalities. In-depth knowledge of database systems like PostgreSQL, MSSQL and MongoDB Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills. Effective communication skills, both technical and non-technical. Expertise in integrating third-party APIs and web services. Ability to design and implement RESTful APIs for seamless integration with other systems.Desired skills:
Experience in working on interventions/projects in the ICT, smart technologies areas, and/or enhancement of public services. Experience in working, liaising, and collaborating with UN agencies, governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and public international organizations.Language(s):
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.Professional 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.
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.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. 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.
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