Position Title:                                         Software Developer

Reports To:                                             Software Development Supervisor

Division:                                                  Church World Service

Department:                                            Administration, Information Technology

Job Location:                                          Nairobi, Kenya

Grade Level:                                            Grade 6, Senior Officer, National

Introduction: Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

This position is primarily responsible for the development of software applications to meet the business requirements of CWS RSC Africa, with the emphasis of the position being on the design and development of bespoke applications to meet the specific organizational requirements.

The Software Developer must apply DevSecOps principles by embedding security into all stages of the software development lifecycle. This includes writing secure code, integrating automated security testing into CI/CD pipelines, collaborating with operations and security teams to ensure compliance, and proactively addressing vulnerabilities before deployment.

Key relationships

Internal

• IT Department Unit Heads

External

• CWS HQ IT Team
• PRM RPC IT Team
• PRM Fraud Prevention Team

Working Environment

Office with periodic travel to the field as may be required.

Technical Operations and Support (70%)

• Execute the full software development life cycle (SDLC) to build, test, and implement custom applications that drive organizational productivity.
• Maintain and integrate existing custom systems, ensuring seamless data flow and architectural consistency.
• Deploy and configure both cloud-based and on-premises software solutions under the guidance of the Senior Developer.
• Develop comprehensive test plans and documentation to validate software functionality against stakeholder requirements.
• Conduct rigorous unit and functional testing to identify, track, and resolve bugs prior to deployment.
• Require knowledge of secure coding practices, vulnerability management, and integration of security tools into CI/CD pipelines. Implement security controls in alignment with NIST SP 800-53 standards to ensure all developed software meets organizational and regulatory security baselines.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure code integrity and adherence to secure coding practices. Developers must embed automated security checks (static code analysis, dependency scanning, container security) into their workflows.
• Author and update technical documentation, including system architecture diagrams, API specifications, and codebase comments.
• Produce clear, accessible user manuals to assist non-technical staff in navigating new software features.
• Investigate and resolve complex software issues escalated from the service desk, providing timely fixes for internal applications.
• Report project progress and technical roadblocks to the Senior Software Developer to ensure alignment with department goals.

Compliance Management (15%)

• Achieves and maintains a thorough knowledge and adherence to established RSC Africa, CWS/IRP, DOS/PRM and USCIS policies and procedures regarding database management for RSC Africa programs.
• Work closely with operations and security teams to ensure compliance and resilience. Ongoing training in secure development frameworks, emerging threats, and compliance standards is required.

Representation/Engagement (10%)

• Collaborate with cross-functional IT teams to execute complex projects, ensuring software solutions align with broader infrastructure and networking requirements.
• Contribute actionable recommendations to IT management regarding automation opportunities to streamline development workflows and organizational processes.
• Provide operational continuity by assisting with or assuming the responsibilities of peer IT specialists during peak periods or as directed by the Senior Software Developer.

Additional Roles and Responsibilities (5%)

• Any other tasks as assigned by the Software Development Supervisor or IT Management.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years directly related specialized experience performing the essential duties is required.
• Experience in ICT project management preferred.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge in the web application development environment with relational databases.
• Strong knowledge in PostgreSQL Database architecture, design and development, including the ability to write complex queries and stored procedures.
• Strong knowledge in PHP using Laravel Framework and JavaScript programming languages.
• Knowledge in Golang programming language is preferred.
• Strong Knowledge in Object Oriented Programming.
• Knowledge of GIT Version Control.
• Strong knowledge in writing unit and functional tests
• Strong Knowledge in essential Windows and Linux system administration is required. Android programming using Kotlin experience a plus.
• Knowledge in Microsoft Azure Architecture is a plus.
• Experience working in a highly regulated environment with compliance requirements is a plus

Abilities:

• Interpret written requirements and technical specification documents.
• Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.
• Maintain the integrity of official records.
• Analyze and solve complex problems and make sound decisions.
• Maintain a high-performance standard with attention to detail.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in IT required.

Important Requirements:

• Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.
• Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding and PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual, Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment) risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding PSEAH practices, understand the child safeguarding and PSEAH Policies and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding and PSEAH Policies.

• The candidate should be in good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa.
• This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya
• This position always requires use of laptops, competence in Microsoft office packages is required.
• This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program
• Background check which includes references and an educational and criminal check is required before the start of employment.
• A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
• Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.
• Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
• This is a Full-time position.
• All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire. Remote work arrangements may vary depending on location and the governing rulings based on prevailing context.