Software Engineer – Digital Green
Information Technology
Digital Green
Smallholder farmers are the heroes that produce much of the world’s food, and yet they’re often the poorest and most malnourished among us. At Digital Green, we believe that rural communities can lift themselves out of poverty, and that technology can accelerate their ability to do so. But technology alone is not enough – and neither are we. That’s why we join forces with governments, private agencies and, most importantly, rural communities themselves to co-create solutions that are of the community and for the community.
By integrating digital innovation with grassroots expertise, we are collectively changing the status quo. When farmers have the tools they need to learn from each other, they’re far more likely to integrate what they’ve learned into their farming practices – improving their own livelihoods and those of others in their community, in a manner that’s nutrition-sensitive, climate-resilient, and inclusive.
Digital Green began as a research project at Microsoft and became its first non-profit spin-off in 2008. We began by working with frontline extension workers, training them to produce and share videos featuring local farmers. This led to significant increases in information sharing, best-practice adoption rates and, above all, sustainable development at scale.
Rigorous data analysis and farmer feedback continually challenge our assumptions and identify new ways that technology coupled with local knowledge can push the needle on agriculture, food and nutrition security.
Since day one, our deeply committed, curious and collaborative team has been challenged and inspired. We’ve tried and failed and tried again, and have ultimately become leaders in using technology for global development. To date, we’ve worked with more than 1.5 million smallholder farmers – eighty percent of whom are women – in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. And we’re just getting started.
For more information please visit Digital Green – www.digitalgreen.org
ABOUT DIGITAL GREEN
Digital Green is an international non-government organization that empowers smallholder farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by harnessing the collective power of technology and grassroots-level partnerships. We join forces with governments, private agencies, CSOs and, most importantly, rural communities themselves to co-create digital solutions that help smallholder farmers increase productivity and income. In Ethiopia, Digital Green is working in four regions in introducing and scaling video-extension approach, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Regional Bureaus of Agriculture and Natural Resource. For more information, please visit Digital Green’s website: www.digitalgreen.org. Rigorous data analysis and farmer feedback continually challenge our assumptions and identify new ways that technology coupled with local knowledge can push the needle on agriculture, food and nutrition security.
Digital Green is entering an exciting phase of development as it expands to additional digital solutions, agricultural commodities and geographies. As part of this expansion, Digital Green is building a team of exceptional individuals with a passion for finding solutions to pressing development problems. This is an exciting opportunity to join Digital Green’s growing team in Ethiopia, supporting our ongoing and new programs.
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to Digital Green’s DAAS Product Director, the Software engineer position will be responsible for supporting the development, validation and release of project software. The position requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The Software engineer is responsible for the design, architecture and overall quality of software solutions
He/ She will support the development of data aggregation products and products to strengthen digital extension channels. Also support MoA and others on the development of use cases and integrating their system.
FarmStack provides a comprehensive solution in enabling public and private organizations work to support smallholder farmers by means of better coordination of approach, systems, and knowledge base through a digital platform that will use data and technology to integrate various components of the extension ecosystem. FarmStack will aid in the development of large-scale dynamic farmer/ farm profiles by combining farmer profiles with localized, time-sensitive data and leveraging existing digital channels. FarmStack will provide tailored content across multiple dissemination channels (e.g., video, IVR, SMS, Telegram, radio) by linking data from public, private and civil society partners across the value chain and will facilitate improved services across the value chain and enable farmers to connect with input providers, financial service providers and markets so that they can not only increase yields but also incomes.
Key Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities of the Software engineer will include, but is not limited to the following: Support the end-to-end development of Digital Green’s digital platform (FarmStack) in partnership with Digital Green’s global technology team and external technology partners.
- Work with team members to understand user requirements and design, develop, test and document software that meet the requirements
- Develop system architecture to solve problems
- Document and demonstrate solutions by using flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, charts, code comments and clear code
- Execute full lifecycle of software development
- Learn new technologies and keep abreast of existing technologies and help introduce them where appropriate
- Analyze system specifications and translate system requirements to task specifications
- Provide analysis of current programs, which includes performance, diagnosis and troubleshooting of problem programs, and designing solutions to problematic programming
- Integrate software components into a fully functional software system
- Document and maintain software functionality
- Tailor and deploy software tools, processes and metrics
- Prepare and install solutions by determining and designing system specifications, standards, and programming
- Protect operations by keeping information confidential
- Regularly meet with the development and support team to discuss progress and issues to be resolved and prepare timely reports to the supervisor on activity status and issues
- Occasional travel to user sites to assess product
- Perform other duties as assigned
Location: Head Office, Addis Ababa
Job Requirement
Qualifications and Experiences
- BSc Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, IT or relevant field of study
- 3-5 years of software development and programing experience
- Relevant experience in Android app development
- Proficiency in Kotlin (must) or Java languages to write clear, readable, and maintainable code
- Knowledge on working Mobile app architecture, flow, design, implementation, and release
- Familiar with RESTful/GraphQL APIs and XML to connect the app with backend services
- Hands on experience on web application development Frontend (Javascript, React Js, Material UI,CSS) and backend(Python or Javascript/node js) is required
- Experience in Android SDK and Android Studio
- Must have deep knowledge of Relational Databases, SQL and ORM technologies
- Experience with profiling, load simulation, Linux optimization, and database optimization is required
- Experience with GIT distributed version control is desired
- Mastery in software engineering tools, especially working on the process of software development using agile methodology is required
- Use of project management tools like JIRA, Trello, Slack is desirable
- Familiarity with software development methodology and release processes
- Strong project management and time management skills; highly organized and detail-oriented
- Strong ability to think creatively and strategically
- Excellent written and verbal English; proficiency in Amharic
- Previous work experience with development sector projects is desirable
- Proficiency in common computer packages (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel) relevant to the work
- Able to work independently without any supervision
To be successful as a member of the Digital Green team, you will also:
- Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact an up-and-coming non-profit organization.
- Be an innovative and creative thinker – you are not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so.
- Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.
- Have a strong work ethic, take initiative, and require minimal direction.
- Work well independently as well as part of a team.
- Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment.
Compensation
Digital Green is a great place to work and prides itself on a competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Digital Green is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.
