Volunteer Technical Developer for DECIDE Platform

Job Posting Organization:
The Community Centre for Integrated Development (CCID) is an organization dedicated to advancing the rights of communities, particularly focusing on women, girls, and young people in Cameroon. Established with the mission to empower these groups, CCID works to strengthen community leaders and organizations to address the needs of indigenous populations. The organization recognizes the importance of building resilient communities in Africa that can advocate for the rights and empowerment of women and girls, promote health, education, and human rights, and foster social, environmental, and economic growth. CCID envisions a future where all women and girls can exercise their rights freely and where communities collaborate with various stakeholders to drive development and awareness of rights.

Job Overview:
The position involves developing and implementing the technical framework for the DECIDE platform, a flagship initiative aimed at bridging the information gap for youth and women in Cameroon, especially in indigenous and underserved communities. The DECIDE platform will utilize a text-based chatbot that operates through SMS and social messaging apps to democratize access to reproductive health services and leadership resources. The volunteer will be responsible for creating an interactive messaging system, implementing community polling features, building an information hub, and enabling data visualization to support advocacy efforts. This role is crucial for empowering youth and ensuring they have the necessary resources to make informed decisions about their lives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop an interactive messaging interface that operates across SMS and social messaging platforms to engage youth in real-time discussions.
• Implement automated polling flows that allow users to express their opinions on community issues, reproductive health, and social rights.
• Build a comprehensive library of automated response pathways that provide subscribers with instant access to resources related to leadership and health.
• Enable data aggregation from user responses to support CCID’s advocacy efforts for systemic change.
• Collaborate with CCID team members to ensure the platform meets community needs and aligns with organizational goals.
• Conduct testing and troubleshooting to ensure the platform operates effectively in low-bandwidth environments.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess extensive knowledge of free NGO tools and open-source software, particularly messaging frameworks like RapidPro and Twilio. They should demonstrate a strong understanding of cost-efficient development strategies and be able to innovate technical solutions that are sustainable and effective in low-resource settings. The candidate should also have excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.

Educational Background:
A background in computer science, information technology, software development, or a related field is preferred. Candidates with experience in developing communication platforms or working with NGOs will be highly regarded. Relevant certifications in software development or project management may also be beneficial.

Experience:
Candidates should have prior experience in software development, particularly in creating messaging applications or platforms that engage users interactively. Experience working with NGOs or in community development projects is a plus, as it demonstrates an understanding of the unique challenges faced by underserved populations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication for the platform. Proficiency in French is highly desirable, given the bilingual nature of Cameroon and the need to reach a wider audience. Knowledge of local languages may also be advantageous for community engagement.

Additional Notes:
This is a volunteer position, and while it may not offer financial compensation, it provides an opportunity to contribute to meaningful community development and gain valuable experience in technical project implementation. The role may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate community needs and may involve remote collaboration with team members.