DOTS (Foundry) Technical Engineering Lead

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and extreme weather shocks. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who work tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people globally. WFP is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization has received numerous accolades, including the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing its efforts in combating hunger and promoting security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security worldwide. WFP's mission is driven by its core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion, which guide its operations and interactions with partners and beneficiaries alike. For more information about WFP, visit their official website at https://www.wfp.org and follow them on various social media platforms for updates and news.

Job Overview:
The DOTS (Foundry) Technical Engineering Lead position is a critical role within the WFP Technology Division, which serves as the digital business engine of the organization. This position is responsible for leading the design, implementation, operation, and optimization of engineering services that support WFP headquarters and field offices globally. The incumbent will oversee the development and maintenance of the WFP Foundry pipeline structure and architecture, ensuring that technical solutions are sustainable and effective in meeting the organization's needs. The role requires a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, as WFP has embarked on a digital transformation program aimed at enhancing its operational capabilities through advanced data integration and analytics. The Technical Engineering Lead will work closely with a team of developers, setting high standards for performance and fostering individual growth within the team. This position is integral to ensuring that WFP's technological initiatives align with its humanitarian mission and contribute to the organization's overall success.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the DOTS (Foundry) Technical Engineering Lead include:

• Programming & Technical: - Review and design the overall WFP Foundry pipeline structure and architecture. - Approve workflow designs and budget allocations for developer and maintenance resources. - Monitor health checks and performance metrics, assessing pipeline changes and their implications. - Optimize resource management for DOTS, including computing and storage. - Establish and uphold development and coding best practices and standards. - Manage the technical aspects of the release process, ensuring smooth transitions and communication with developers. - Identify gaps in engineering processes and develop testing methodologies. - Collaborate with non-technical stakeholders to align technical solutions with business needs. - Define and optimize processes for handing over DOTS workflows to maintenance teams.
• Leadership & Management: - Supervise the Maintenance Team, ensuring alignment across active projects and knowledge transfer. - Manage developers, monitor project cadence, conduct peer reviews, and mentor team members. - Promote transparency and accountability within the engineering team by establishing standard operating models. - Assess engineering team skills and ensure adherence to best practices. - Allocate resources effectively across multiple work streams and manage onboarding/offboarding processes for developers. - Provide feedback and performance assessments to team members and contractors. - Act as a liaison between Platform Governance teams and implementation teams to ensure compliance with internal standards.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the DOTS (Foundry) Technical Engineering Lead position include: - Advanced University Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Management, Data Management, or related fields. - At least 6 years of experience in software development, with a minimum of 4 years specifically working with Palantir Foundry and 2 years in a senior role involving AIP. - A minimum of 4 years of experience in data and analytics projects is desirable. - Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, PySpark, Java, or C# for at least 4 years is mandatory. - Experience in leading and mentoring technical teams for at least 4 years is desirable. - Familiarity with data integration or analytics solutions like Alteryx, Talend, SAP Hana, Tableau, etc. - Experience with database technologies such as Postgres, Hadoop, Amazon S3, Oracle, SQL Server, etc. - Knowledge of agile/scrum methodologies and strong project or product management skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree in relevant fields such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Management, Data Management, or other related disciplines. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has a solid foundation in the technical skills and knowledge required for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically at least 6 years in software development. This includes a minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience with Palantir Foundry and 2 years in a senior role involving AIP. Additionally, candidates should have at least 4 years of experience working on data and analytics projects, which is considered desirable. The role also necessitates at least 4 years of experience with programming languages such as Python, PySpark, Java, or C#, as well as experience in leading and mentoring technical team members.

Languages:
Fluency in English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, candidates should possess intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language, which may include Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese, the latter being WFP's working language. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication within the diverse and multicultural environment of WFP.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a Regular Consultancy (CST 2) and is expected to last for a duration of 11 months. The role is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. WFP offers an attractive compensation package, which can be referenced in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted through WFP's online recruiting system, and candidates are advised to ensure their profiles are complete and accurate. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks as part of the hiring process.