Senior GIS Software Developer at eHealth Systems Africa

 Summary: The Senior GIS Developer provides dedicated support to the eHealth Africa’s (eHA) GIS application development projects. S/he develops eHA’s Web GIS environment and builds web and mobile apps to support targeted workflows, projects and programs being supported by the GIS Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, the Senior GIS Developer will work under the supervision of the GIS Department Manager to perform the following responsibilities.

• Develop desktop, mobile and web GIS applications to support internal and external projects at eHealth Africa Support the development of web services and data portals at eHealth Africa
• Liaise with internal and external clients to perform proper requirement gathering
• Collaborate with eHealth Africa’s Software development team to ensure adequate support for all GIS development needs
• Contribute to the development of OpenSource GIS applications, tools and capabilities at eHealth Africa
• Maintain a collegial, collaborative and accessible working style
• Perform any other duties assigned by management
• May frequently travel between company worksites
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• May frequently travel between company work-sites. Some international travel may be required.
• Present a professional demeanor at all times. Approaches others in a tactful manner. Reacts well under pressure. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position. Accepts responsibility for own actions. Responds well to supervisor requests and feedback.
• Be consistently at work and on time.
• Participate in and promote a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Adhere to Policies and Procedures.
• Adhere to eHealth Africa Code of Conduct as well as ethical standards of the field.

Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to successfully perform this job.

Education/Experience

• Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems, Surveying and Geoinformatics, Geography or other related field
• Minimum of 4 years GIS development / software engineering experience
• Significant and advanced GIS and Software development experience may substitute for the Master’s degree Experience in Javascript and JavaScript libraries - AngularJS, LeafletJS
•  Experience in developing web and mobile GIS applications using open source GIS solutions e.g. PostgreSQL, Geoserver, MapServer, OpenLayers
• Working knowledge of developing restful web services and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
• Experience working in a team environment with github (creating branches, merging branches, cherry picking commits, reverting commits, stashing, squash merging, tagging, etc.)
• Familiarity with test driven development
• Familiarity with best practices in coding and design including enterprise patterns.
• Cultural sensitivity, sound judgment, and strong interest in working in a demanding and intellectually challenging environment, with the organizational ability to handle multiple tasks around ambitious deadlines
• International work experience is a plus
• Ability to identify and promote best practices
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, organizational skills and great attention to detail. Ability to work in collaboration with others on a project team and independently on tasks
• Must be able to work as a leader and member of a team and possess good problem solving skills
• Good learning ability. Action oriented and resilient in a fast-paced environment

Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of open Source GIS stack (QGIS, PostGIS and Geoserver), data transformation tools (FME Desktop and/or Kettle) and Commercial GIS stack (ArcInfo, ArcView, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox), ArcSDE, ArcGIS Server
• Solid knowledge of Javascript and related javascript libraries and framework
• Strong programming skills using Python
• Working knowledge of carto visualization platform
• Ability to use Source Code Versioning Systems (Git is desired)
• Working knowledge of Agile development tools (JIRA)

Personal characteristics

The Senior GIS Developer should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:

• Adaptability: Demonstrates a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities
• Focus on Partner/Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients and partners to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organisational effectiveness.
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities
•  Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assesses problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Think Strategically: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the organization.

Language Ability

• English is the spoken and written language
• Ability to read, analyse, proof and edit documents, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or government regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from executive and senior managers, employees, the general public and clients/partners