SIS Lead Software Architect

  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    FULL_TIME
  • Posted:
    1 week ago
  • Category:
    Information and Communication Technology, Infrastructure, Urban and Rural Development
  • Deadline:
    14/10/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

Vacancy #: 7026
Unit: Biodiversity Assessment and Knowledge
Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUC
Location: Cambridge Office, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Reporting to: Red List Systems Manager
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: M1
Expected start date: 01 January 2025
Type of contract: Fixedterm (24 months with possibility of renewa
Closing date: 14 October 2024
BACKGROUND
Established in 1964, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species.

The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Far more than a list of species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyse action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources

“The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List tells us where we urgently need to do something to prevent the despoliation of this world. It is a great agenda for the work of conservationists.” – Sir David Attenborough

In this role you will have the privilege to lead the development of the core software application that is the backbone of the Red Listthe Species Information Service (SI. You will be required at all stages of the project lifecycle from collaborating on initial designs with our partner UI/UX consultant to hiring a team and engaging with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver the next generation of SIS. There will also be plenty of opportunities for to get stuck in with handson software development.

This role would ideally suit a candidate that is passionate about addressing the biodiversity global crisis, who has experience in hiring and managing software engineers and write code to deliver robust and reliable software.

JOB DESCRIPTION
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

As the Lead Software Architect, you will be at the forefront of the technical development of the next generation of a strategic IUCN project. You will lead an engineering team, providing both strategic and handson technical leadership to shape the architectural direction of the platform. Your role is pivotal in ensuring the technical excellence, scalability, and reliability of a brandnew platform and its maintenance in the future.
You will collaborate closely with stakeholders from across the world to deliver a topquality product.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Architectural Leadership

Working closely with the Red List Systems Manager and other members of the Conservation Informatics team, defining the overall architecture of software products, including the technology stack, integration patterns, and deployment strategies.
Establish and enforce technical standards and best practices for software development, ensuring highquality code and effective use of technologies.

Team Management

Hire, lead, mentor, and manage an engineering team, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
Facilitate professional development opportunities for team members to enhance their skills and career growth.

Technical Strategy and Planning

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Develop and communicate a clear technical vision and roadmap for managed software products.

Project Management

Oversee the technical aspects of the project lifecycle, from initial concept through to delivery and maintenance
Ensure that all technical deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

System Design and Implementation

Lead the design and implementation of key system components, ensuring they are robust, scalable, and secure.
Ensure that the system architecture supports modularity, extensibility, and maintainability.

Quality Assurance

Implement and maintain rigorous testing and quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability and performance of software.
Conduct code reviews and enforce quality standards across the development team

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Stay up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends and integrate relevant advancements into the software products.
Continuously evaluate and improve development processes, tools, and practices to enhance team productivity and product quality.

Documentation and Training

Ensure comprehensive documentation of the system architecture, design decisions, and operational procedures.

Compliance and Security

Ensure that all the software complies with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Implement robust security measures to protect data integrity and privacy.

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SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will be responsible for managing a small team of 3 junior to midlevel developers. It is likely that the position will also be responsible for managing external contractors if/when the project demands external skills and experience.
The post holder is required to delegate and coordinate daytoday software development and infrastructure engineering tasks with other members of the team.

REQUIREMENTS
• Essential:

Undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience in computer science, software engineering, information systems, environmental science, or a related field.

• 10+ years of software development experience in Ruby on Rails with significant depth around designing, implementing, and managing critical projects using cloudbased technologies.
• 3+ years in a software team leadership position in an Agile or Shape Up environment.
• Experience working and leading teams in different collaboration frameworks.
• Experience working in a commercial software development team at all levels with a deep understanding and empathy of the nuances of each role.
• Highly competent with the use of Unixbased operating systems.
• Experience in developing APIs in Ruby on Rails
• Experience in JavaScript and modern frontend frameworks.
• Experience with updating software and databases on Unixbased systems while retaining service continuity.
• Experience with popular database technologies, particularly PostgreSQL.
• Continuous integration and deployment experience (e.g. GitHub Action.
• Experience working within a TestDriven Development (TDenvironment.
• Experience working with containerised systems (e.g. Docke.
• Experience working with Digital Ocean, Linode, AWS, Heroku or similar cloud service providers.
• Experience working with UI/UX teams.
• Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• A keen interest and concern for the environment, natural world and biodiversity conservation.

• Desirable:

• Master or PhD. in computer science, software engineering, information systems, environmental science, or a related field.

• Experience working with Hotwire and modern Ruby and Rails solutions.
• Experience working with Geographic Information Systems.
• Experience with the PostGIS PostgreSQL extension and web maps (e.g. Leaflet.j.
• Experience with Digital Ocean, Linode, AWS, Heroku or similar cloud service providers.
• Experience with other languages, preferably Java, including Equinox and Google Web Toolkit.
• Experience working in the conservation sector
• Knowledge of biological nomenclature and taxonomy, as well as electronic management of taxonomic information.
• Experience with data visualization.
• Fluency in spoken and written in French or Spanish

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the “Apply” button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DS. Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and nongovernmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

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Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s wellbeing.

www.iucn.org
https://twitter.com/IUCN