Job Purpose:
As the Director of Technology at SHOFCO, you will spearhead our technology strategy, driving innovation to bolster our mission of transforming lives in urban informal settlements. We are seeking a systems-thinker and doer. Your leadership will not only enhance our operational efficiency but also amplify our impact across diverse sectors including health, education, water, and community organising by putting the right technology systems in place. They should:
- Deeply mission-aligned – is passionate about leveraging technology to make a substantial difference in the lives of the communities we serve
- Understand the complexities of working within a grassroots organisation at scale
- Have the creativity and relevant experience to find the appropriate solutions for SHOFCO
- can execute and drive technology integration and uptake across the organization
Key Responsibilities and Job Dimensions
- Strategic Technology Vision: Own an ambitious IT vision and roadmap that aligns with our mission, maximising use of technology to make SHOFCO run more smoothly internally (internal systems) and externally (community program and organising work), with data at every step, to drive systems change in urban informal settlements.
- Infrastructure oversight and ongoing operations: Oversee design and implementation of an IT infrastructure that’s robust and responsive to the dynamic needs of our diverse projects, from health initiatives to educational platforms. Build a long term strategic roadmap, addressing evolving needs and ensuring resilience.
- Innovation and Rapid Prototyping: Lead the development and deployment of tech innovations that support our work, adopting a startup mindset to iteratively address and solve critical organisational challenges. Think nonlinearly in empowering our communities and their challenges with solutions that implement the latest tech innovations aligned with our mission.
- Empower and Inspire a Tech-Driven Team: Cultivate a strong IT team that deeply understands the needs of staff and community members using IT products and services, fostering professional growth, and nurturing a culture of creativity, agility, and continuous learning.
- System and User Centred Technology Design: Drive innovation ensuring seamless integration of user (both internal stakeholders at SHOFCO and external community and funder ecosystem stakeholders) needs into product development. Develop technology with a holistic system vision that can integrate and extend with future applications harmoniously.
- Collaborate and Co-create: Engage with a wide array of stakeholders, from internal teams to external partners, serving as champion for tech-driven collaborations that amplify our impact and drive forward our organisational goals. Collaboratively design and execute tech solutions with teams across the org, and support implementation and ongoing use. Represent SHOFCO externally as a technology leader.
- Systems:
- Full automation
- Fix fragmented systems and integrate systems so not disparate
- Maintain the new systems
- System design and architecture
- Business processes efficient and user centred
- GDPR compliant, fraud resistant
- Opportunities: Using tech to enable programs; and see user journey centred opportunities
Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes/Skills)
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science Degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Math
- Masters Degree would be preferred
Professional Qualifications
- At least 8+ years’ in senior IT leadership roles, including experience in analogous settings to SHOFCO in terms of scale, kinds of users, and solutions needed.
- Experience in Data Management and tools for data analysis and visualisation (We currently collect data using CommCare, and use PowerBi for data visualisation)
- Experience overseeing data systems for tracking data in a social impact setting (whether non-profit, government, or business) highly valued.
- Demonstrated success in managing IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and implementing technology-driven solutions – with experience selecting and rolling out new systems
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our organization, all interested applicants should send their applications together with a detailed Cover letter and CV to [email protected] with a clear subject line “Director of IT”. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications should reach us no later than 26th April 2024.
