National Consultant - Software Developer for Education Research Database Platform

The consultant will design, develop, and deploy new system features within the existing SALA Digital platform to establish an ICT- and AI-related education research repository database. This role supports the enhancement of SALA Digital as a national research discovery platform, integrating advanced search functionalities and interoperability with national research journals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive functional, technical, and content assessment of the existing SALA Digital platform.
• Identify gaps, risks, and opportunities related to architecture, performance, security, and governance.
• Prepare an inception report detailing system assessment findings, the proposed approach for system enhancement, workplan, timeline, and coordination mechanisms.
• Facilitate structured consultations with MoEYS, UNESCO, the EdTech Hub, relevant education institutions, and selected journal/other stakeholders.
• Define and document detailed functional and technical requirements for the ICT/AI Education Research Repository.
• Design the system architecture, information architecture, metadata schema, taxonomies, and tagging frameworks aligned with international good practices and national priorities.
• Design and develop the ICT/AI Education Research Repository module within SALA Digital.
• Configure structured metadata fields and research content categories.
• Ensure bilingual (Khmer–English) metadata presentation where feasible.
• Integrate the repository seamlessly with existing SALA Digital user management and content systems.
• Develop a feature where researchers can submit their research papers for review before publication on the SALA digital platform.
• Optimise the software development to ensure high speed and performance anticipating increased users.
• Develop advanced search, filtering, and browsing functionalities for cross-journal discovery.
• Design and implement Open APIs and/or secure metadata harvesting mechanisms.
• Pilot and validate integration with priority national journals, ensuring accurate indexing and attribution.
• Design and implement an administrative analytics dashboard.
• Configure analytics to track usage, engagement, research access, and search trends.
• Develop visual reports to support decision-making and platform improvement.
• Ensure compliance with MoEYS standards on cybersecurity, data protection, copyright, and ethical use of research content.
• Implement role-based access control, audit logs, and data security safeguards.
• Conduct testing and troubleshooting to ensure system performance, reliability, and usability.
• Develop technical documentation, administrator manuals, and user guidelines.
• Deliver hands-on training and mentoring to MoEYS and EdTech Hub technical teams.
• Support the development of governance, sustainability, and scaling strategies for long-term operation.
• Support the preparation of presentations, inputs for meetings, donor reports, among others where updates on system development and functionality are required.

Requirements

• A relevant university degree (Master’s level or higher preferred) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Educational Technology, Information Management, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the design, development, and enhancement of enterprise-level digital platforms, information systems, or knowledge management systems.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining web-based platforms using modern frameworks and databases.
• At least 3 years of professional experience with Rust programming language, Next.js and/or MongoDB.
• Proven experience in API development, system integration, and interoperability, including secure data exchange and metadata harvesting.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced search, indexing, or discovery systems, such as digital libraries or research repositories.
• Demonstrated experience implementing data security, access control, and privacy safeguards.
• Demonstrated experience working with government counterparts, public institutions, and development partners, preferably in the education sector.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and monitoring skills.
• Proven ability to develop technical documentation and training materials.
• Strong capacity-building and knowledge-transfer skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-stakeholder and multicultural environments.
• Excellent written and verbal English language skills.
• Native proficiency in Khmer language skills (spoken and written).
• Experience with the MoEYS digital platforms, Open Educational Resources, preferably on the Sala Digital platform (desirable).
• Experience in educational technology, research information systems, or digital transformation initiatives in the education sector (desirable).

Skills

• Software Development
• Enterprise Platform Design
• Web Platform Development
• Rust Programming
• Next.js
• MongoDB
• API Development
• System Integration
• Data Interoperability
• Secure Data Exchange
• Metadata Harvesting
• Advanced Search Systems
• Indexing Systems
• Digital Libraries
• Research Repositories
• Data Security Implementation
• Access Control
• Protection Safeguards
• Technical Documentation Production
• Training Material Development
• Capacity Building
• Knowledge Transfer

Languages

English, Khmer