Senior Advisor / Software Developer / Web Application Developer at SOS Children's Villages

Tasks and Responsibilities 

• Design, develop, and maintain both frontend and backend components of the Digify platform, implementing new features, modules, and templates in line with approved specifications. Ensure high standards of code quality, maintainability, and compliance with established architectural guidelines. 
• Develop and manage integrations with payment providers, analytics tools, and other third-party systems, while delivering responsive, accessible, and brand-compliant frontend components. 
• Identify, analyse, and resolve technical issues, including bugs, performance bottlenecks, and platform incidents. Perform regular maintenance, system updates, and optimisation activities, while contributing to platform monitoring and proposing enhancements to stability and performance. 
• Collaborate closely with the Web Design Professional/Creative Product Advisor to ensure alignment between technical implementation and UX/UI design systems. Provide technical support to Digital Fundraising Project Managers on platform configuration matters, and offer guidance to Member Associations during onboarding and troubleshooting processes. 
• Produce and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for platform modules and features. Actively participate in code reviews to ensure consistency with coding standards and support testing activities, including unit, integration, and regression testing. 
• Translate functional and business requirements into detailed technical specifications and acceptance criteria. Contribute technical expertise to backlog refinement and sprint planning processes. 
• Support quality assurance activities by reviewing test cases and validating technical deliverables. 
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve platform architecture, performance, and code quality. Explore and assess emerging technologies to enhance platform capabilities, and contribute to the optimisation of development workflows, automation, and deployment processes. 

Responsibilities to Uphold Safeguarding (standards) and Promote a Safe Environment 

As someone working for or on behalf of SOS Children’s Villages, you are responsible for helping to create and maintain a safe and protective environment for staff, as well as for the children, young people, and adult programme participants supported and cared for by SOS Children’s Villages. You are expected to: 

• Commit to the Code of Conduct and reflect on the safeguarding implications of your work on an ongoing basis. 
• Actively participate in team discussions to identify risks and share and apply preventative and mitigation measures and strategies.  
• Integrate safeguarding principles into your daily decisions and tasks. 
• Report any safeguarding concerns promptly and in line with procedures. 
• Promote values-based culture, accountability and zero tolerance of harm. 

Requirements 

• ​An undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field is required. A Bachelor’s degree is acceptable where complemented by substantial senior-level experience in complex digital platform development. 
• Certifications in Web Development, Agile/Scrum methodologies, or Cloud Technologies are considered desirable. 
• The role requires 5–8 years of relevant professional experience. 
• Candidates should demonstrate extensive experience in web application development within multi-component digital environments, encompassing both frontend and backend development. 
• Proven expertise in developing and maintaining CMS-based websites (e.g., Kentico or similar platforms) is required, including the creation of custom components, templates, integrations, and performance optimisation. 
• A strong background in frontend development is expected, including proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/TypeScript, as well as experience with modern frameworks such as React, Vue, Angular, or equivalent technologies. 
• Experience in backend development within .NET or comparable enterprise-level environments is required. 
• Demonstrated experience in API integrations, including payment service providers, authentication services, CRM systems, and third-party digital marketing tools, is essential. 
• Experience working within Agile (Scrum) environments is required, including participation in user story refinement, sprint execution, and collaboration with product owners and design teams. 
• Proven ability to maintain production systems, including debugging, optimisation, and ensuring the stability of high-traffic digital platforms, is expected. 
• English – Fluent   
• German – Fluent, required for coordination with Member Associations and vendors in the EUNA region 

Technical Skills  

• Full-stack development (frontend and backend)  
• JavaScript / TypeScript .NET / C#  
• Modern frontend frameworks (React, Vue, Angular, or equivalent)  
• CMS platforms at component and integration level (e.g., Kentico or similar)  
• Architecture and system design (APIs, modularisation, data flows)  
• Integration patterns, including payment gateways, CRM connectors, and third-party services  
• HTML, CSS, responsive design, and accessibility standards  
• Version control and CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Git workflows, automated builds)  
• API integrations (REST, JSON)  
• Secure coding practices (e.g., OWASP, data protection compliance)  
• Performance optimisation of high-traffic systems  
• Software development and deployment methodologies (Agile, Scrum, ALM) 
• Quality assurance and testing methodologies (unit, integration, regression)  
• Containerisation concepts  
• Agile tools and practices (e.g., Scrum, Jira, DevOps)  
• Technical documentation and release planning  
• Data protection, security, and compliance awareness  
• Documentation and code commenting standards 
• Knowledge of digital fundraising processes, donor journeys, and conversion optimization (desired) 
• Experience with analytics platforms (e.g., GA4, Hotjar) (desired) 
• Experience with Salesforce or other CRM systems (desired) 

Other Competencies and Soft Skills 

• Strong communication skills  
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities  
• High attention to detail and commitment to code quality  
• Structured, reliable, and organised working approach  
• Ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical stakeholders  
• Capacity to manage multiple priorities and deadlines  
• Proactive ownership and initiative in addressing technical challenges  
• Willingness to share knowledge and support team members  
• Commitment to secure, maintainable, and well-documented code 

Ways of working:   

• Global collaboration and communication – Working effectively across countries, cultures, and time zones by maintaining clear communication, transparency, and shared understanding within distributed teams.  
• Cross-functional collaboration – Working closely with colleagues across different functions and areas of expertise to combine knowledge, solve problems collectively, and deliver meaningful outcomes aligned with the organisation’s mission.  
• Effective collaboration within matrix structures – Working constructively within solid and dotted reporting lines by maintaining open communication, aligning priorities with both line and functional managers, and ensuring clarity on roles, responsibilities, and expectations to support coordinated delivery across teams.  
• Flexibility and adaptability – Remaining responsive to evolving contexts and adjusting priorities, approaches, and ways of collaboration as projects, services, or organisational demand evolve.  
• Ownership and accountability – Taking responsibility for advancing tasks and initiatives, proactively addressing obstacles, and ensuring that commitments, decisions, and actions are carried through to completion, taking initiative within your scope of responsibility rather than waiting for direction.  
• Strengthening member associations and their autonomy – Ensuring that knowledge, tools, and lessons from projects and services are shared with member associations so they can learn from the work carried out and progressively strengthen their capacity and independence.  
• Continuous feedback and transparency - Contributing to a culture where feedback and data are shared openly and constructively, enabling teams and stakeholders involved to reflect, learn, and continuously improve their work and impact.