Back Local Consultant: IT Specialist, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (IC)

Background Information:

Please kindly note that this vacancy is open for Kyrgyzstan nationals only

Duty Station: Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek

Contract type: Local Individual Consultant (IC)

Duration: 80 working days from August - December 2025

The assignment will be performed online.

Closing date: 31 July 2025

The Position:

Significant challenges remain in establishing a unified, reliable, and accessible system for collecting and analyzing data on persons with disabilities at both national and local levels. This data gap hinders the effective development and implementation of state social protection policies and impedes the monitoring of the situation of persons with disabilities, undermining efforts to ensure equitable access to healthcare, education, employment, and public life.

In response, UNFPA, under the leadership of the Ministry of Labor, Social Welfare and Migration, has developed a draft methodology aimed at strengthening administrative data and statistics. This initiative is part of a project supported by the UN Global Disability Fund (UNGDF). A key recommendation revealed from this process is the need to improve data collection on persons with disabilities and to digitalize/automate the information system of the National Statistical Committee (NSC).

To address this key recommendation, UNFPA aims to support the creation of an Automated Information System (AIS) for collection of data on persons with disability. The AIS that will be integrated into the information system of the NSC will enhance the quality of data collection and its further dissemination, directly supporting the UNGDF project's overarching goal of promoting the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities.

Several ministries and government organizations, including the Ministry of Labor, Social Welfare and Migration, the Ministry of Health, and the Republican Center for Medical and Social Expert Examination, are currently automating their data collection and statistical systems. This presents a timely opportunity to integrate relevant information systems for disability data collection. Despite ongoing challenges in achieving an integrated data exchange across all ministries, the AIS of the NSC will at least ensure timely and correctly formatted data collection. This initiative is expected to improve data quality and can serve as a foundation towards a more integrated approach that the Government should adopt in the future.

In this regard, UNFPA will hire an IT Specialist for development and operationalization of the AIS on disability data for NSC. The aim of this assignment is to improve quality data collection at NSC to produce disaggregated data on persons with disabilities.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s three transformative results by 2030 consists of: ending preventable maternal deaths; ending unmet need for family planning and; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

You would be responsible for:

• Review existing data sources from relevant government institutions including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, Social Welfare and Migration, Republican Center for Medical and Social Expert Examination, Social Fund, and others to identify data structures, formats, integration points, gaps, and inconsistencies. A desk analysis on existing information systems on disability data collection has been developed by the Inter-agency working group that can be shared for initial information.
• Collaborate with NSC and key stakeholders to finalize functional and non-functional requirements for the AIS as well as ensure data collected in the AIS is accurate, complete and up-to date.
• Develop a system design, including detailed system architecture, database schema (data models), and user interface specifications, ensuring the system can effectively capture nuanced data relevant to disability.
• Develop, configure, and code the AIS components according to the approved design and requirements, including data storage solutions, ensuring data safety, confidentiality, and integrity.
• Develop and integrate data processing modules using statistical methods for generating summary tables, graphs, and other analytical reports that can inform policy development.
• Implement functionalities for secure data publication on the official website of the NSC in open-access formats, supporting transparency and accessibility of information for all stakeholders.
• Implement automated data collection mechanisms, ensuring seamless integration with existing information systems of state bodies through electronic document management or other specified integration methods.
• Develop a user manual in Russian language.
• Ensure strict compliance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic on personal data protection throughout the data lifecycle (collection, storage, processing, publication), especially given the sensitive nature of disability data
• The full version of Terms of reference will be published on UN/UNFPA Kyrgyzstan website: Kyrgyzstan.un.org/en

  Qualifications and Experience Education:

  Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, software engineering or in any related field.

    Work experience

    • Minimum of of 4 years of experience in software development, system design, and implementation, preferably with automated information systems in the public sector or for data management.
    • Demonstrated experience with database management systems, API development and integration.
    • Proficiency in relevant programming languages and frameworks.
    • Knowledge of information security and data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, local Kyrgyz legislation relevant to personal data and disability data).
    • Experience in developing user-friendly interfaces is desirable.
    • Prior experience working with government agencies or international organizations in Kyrgyzstan, particularly on data collection, statistics in social area is a strong advantage.

      Language:

      Fluency in Russian is required. Working knowledge of Kyrgyz and English is an asset.

      Required Competencies

      Values:

      • Exemplifying integrity,
      • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
      • Embracing cultural diversity,
      • Embracing change

        Core Competencies:

        • Achieving results,
        • Being accountable,
        • Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
        • Thinking analytically and strategically,
        • Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
        • Communicating for impact

          Functional Competencies:

          • Providing logistical support
          • Managing data
          • Managing documents, correspondence and reports
          • Managing information and work flow
          • Planning, organizing and multitasking

            Workforce diversity:

            UNFPA is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective to gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more. All applicants will be treated in the strictest confidence.

            Payment Milestones

            The UN level is NOB. Payment will be made by 2 installments upon satisfactory delivery of associated deliverables and upon submission of Progress Report and Certificate of Payment

            Disclaimer

            UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

            Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical insurance proof and other administrative requirements.

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