Job Title : RapidSMS Community Coordinator, Kampala, Uganda
Closing Date: Thursday, 15 December 2011
UNICEF Kampala, George Street, Kampala
Level: P3
Duration: 7 months
Duty station: Kampala
Background
In 2008, UNICEF HQ began work on an open-source software framework called RapidSMS for developing server side, mobile applications.
Subsequently, UNICEF Country Offices, including Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe initiated RapidSMS projects, some of which are in the process of scaling nationally. Additionally, a community external to UNICEF began to use and support further software development to enhance this framework, including private companies such as Dimagi, Thought Works and Nyaruka, as well as Development Partners such as the Millennium Villages Project.
Currently, there is a distributed community of users, with over 300 registered RapidSMS Google Group members. While there is a lot of work that has been contributed to the RapidSMS codebase by these users, there is an urgent need to add additional code and document / package existing work in order for RapidSMS to be fully useable by UNICEF Country Offices and other users without sustained support from external software consultants.
Tasks a). Work with key RapidSMS community contributors to create an overall strategy and workplan for a v1.0 RapidSMS product b). Work with the RapidSMS community to update guidelines for regular meetings and coordination process c). Work with community to create distributable v1.0 products from Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and other key candidate RapidSMS deployments d). Build community consensus for an ideal "application suite" for RapidSMS that provides the generic data collection needs of most RSMS deployments, organize a code sprint for creating this product e). Create a proof-of-concept hosted RapidSMS service for running multiple RapidSMS deployments on a centralized server f). Create final end-user documentation for RapidSMS v1.0 and easy installation process. Final recommendations for community direction, API layers for integration with IATI, WMS, SPARQL, and RDF endpoints
Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required for the assignment
Education, Training and Experience a) Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering and Mathematics, or education and training equivalent to masters that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities as described. b) At least 3 years' experience directly developing RapidSMS software modules. c) Proven experience working with open source communities. d) Proven experience managing distributed/remote software development teams. e) Experience with building software developer capacity, preferably in East Africa. f) Extensive experience with mobile data collection projects.
Knowledge of: a) RapidSMS framework, knowledge of tools developed by Uganda, Zambia and Malawi a plus b) At least two of PostgreSQL, MySQL, MS SQL Database Systems c) Server hardware and software technologies including Linux d) Python language and development tools including Django, Nosetests, and Fabric e) Documentation tools including mediawiki and sphinx
Skill and Ability to: a) Communicate effectively in both oral and written forms; interact with users and office staff in non-technical, clear terms b) Build consensus among stakeholders with differing project requirements c) Promote open-source and agile standards and improve process efficiency d) Set priorities and organize work to meet strict deadlines e) Make decisions on a variety of complex matters f) Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the scope of the contract g) Ability to adapt to changes in technology
How to apply:
To apply, send letter of interest, latest P11 and CV, and any relevant sample work (links or attachments) to ugderecruit@unicef.org
Applications must be received by 15 December 2011
