During 2015-2017 I worked as a software developer and IT consultant for the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). As a fullstack developer (focus on frontend and datavisualisation) I worked on two data-heavy web platforms. One of them was the so-called “Programme of Action” (PoA).
Background
The „Programme of Action against the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons“ (PoA) provides a framework to counter illicit arms trade and to engage member states in cooperation and assistance. Since its adoption in 2001 around one thousand national reports have been submitted, providing information on how member states have implemented the recommendations of the agreement.
The challenge
The task was to rebuild the existing platform from the ground up using a modern technology stack.
The project consisted of 3 parts:
-
the development of a web application to be used by the member states to submit reports
-
the development of a public website with compelling data visualisations to make the data submitted by memberstates accessible and transparent
-
the migration of existing data (15 years of reporting)
What I did
My roles in this project were frontend developer and designer. In a small cross-functional team, that was also highly international (Japan, Brazil, US, Germany) we realized this project working 100% remotely.
My tasks:
- Data visualisation: Conceived and implemented the new data visualization strategy
- Frontend development: Architected and implemented the Frontend with React, D3 and Bootstrap
- Requirements engineering: Communicated and listened carefully to the UNODA stakeholders while collecting requirements
- Developed a new information architecture to better reflect the current political focus of the programme.
- Conducted a content audit with the stakeholders
- Designed the pages and developed a corporate design
- Defined the requirements for the Frontend-facing API in close collaboration with the backend developers (using Swagger)
- Project management: Maintaining momentum in a remotely and part-time working team, prioritizing and tracking of tasks
Impact
The project was a success for the stakeholders: A record amount of submissions was sent after the launch of the renewed platform in 2018.
Technologies used
Frontend: React.js, D3.js, Bootstrap
API: Swagger
