Technical Lead for Data Integration

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates in numerous countries around the globe, employing thousands of individuals who are dedicated to humanitarian efforts. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, including being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• The organization emphasizes a healthy and inclusive work environment, aligning with its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP invests in the professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs, offering opportunities for career advancement across its global offices.

Job Overview:
The position of Technical Lead for Data Integration within the WFP Technology Division (TEC) is crucial for the organization's digital transformation initiatives. The incumbent will play a key role in leading the design, implementation, operation, and optimization of engineering services that support WFP headquarters and field offices worldwide. This role involves overseeing a team of developers working on the Palantir Foundry program, ensuring that the team meets high standards of performance and output. The Technical Lead will be responsible for setting ambitious goals for the team, fostering individual growth, and ensuring the long-term success of the engineering services provided. The position requires a strong focus on utilizing data for informed decision-making and optimizing resource management within the organization. The Technical Lead will also liaise with non-technical stakeholders to ensure that the technical solutions align with business needs and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Lead will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities that include: reviewing and designing the overall structure and architecture of the Foundry pipeline, approving workflow designs and budgets, monitoring performance and health checks, optimizing resource management for computing and storage, and managing coding best practices. The incumbent will oversee the technical aspects of the release process, ensuring that code changes are properly managed before releases. Additionally, the Technical Lead will identify gaps in engineering processes, develop testing methodologies, and ensure that the platform is developed with a long-term perspective. Leadership responsibilities include supervising the maintenance team, optimizing maintenance models, mentoring developers, conducting performance assessments, and promoting transparency across developer streams. The Technical Lead will also be responsible for onboarding and offboarding processes for developers, providing feedback, and bridging communication between governance teams and implementation teams.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Management, Data Management, or related fields. They should have at least 6 years of experience in software development, with a minimum of 4 years in data and analytics projects. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, PySpark, Java, or C# is essential, along with experience in leading and mentoring technical teams. Familiarity with data integration or analytics solutions like Palantir Foundry, Alteryx, Talend, SAP Hana, and Tableau is required. Additionally, candidates should have experience with database technologies such as Postgres, Hadoop, Amazon S3, Oracle, and SQL Server, as well as knowledge of agile/scrum methodologies. Strong written and verbal communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a solid understanding of data management and ETL processes are also necessary.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Management, or Data Management is required for this position. This educational background provides the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding complex technical concepts and managing data integration projects effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of experience in software development, with at least 4 years specifically focused on data and analytics projects. Candidates should have a proven track record of leading and mentoring technical teams, demonstrating their ability to manage projects and guide team members in their professional development. Experience with various programming languages and data integration solutions is also critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory, as it is the primary working language of WFP. Additionally, candidates should have intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language, which could include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese, the latter being WFP’s working language. Proficiency in multiple languages is advantageous and may enhance communication within the diverse teams at WFP.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Rome, Italy. The deadline for applications is set for January 5, 2026, at 23:59 GMT+01:0

• WFP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The organization does not charge any fees for applications or recruitment processes, and candidates are advised to apply through the official online recruitment system. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment.