Tech Operations Lead at MicroEnsure Kenya

Job description

The Tech & Operations Lead is responsible for coordinating the technical development of new tools and operational processes for new products created by the MicroEnsure Labs team in Kenya and as required, in other MicroEnsure countries.

Prior to product launch, this role will design and build data collection tools and outline technical requirements for any needed app, database and web development. You will support early market tests by helping to build simple pre-launch tools and processes. As products launch, you will optimise business processes, improve technological tools and organise, manage, and administer the data generated by live products. Operationally, you should ensure robust data collection and error checking, produce reports to measure Key Performance Indicators and ensure financial accuracy. Technologically, the job will entail outlining technical specifications for apps, mobile web and cloud databases, managing quotes, testing technology prior to launch, identifying and tracking bugs and coordinating updates and improvements to the tools we create. The products and tools developed by the Tech and Operations Lead should be customer-centric, drawing on direct and in-direct input from potential end-customers.

The ideal candidate should have a high level of integrity, a strong eye for detail and be a proactive problem solver.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Participate in and sometimes lead product development efforts
• Develop and implement procedures for monitoring the operational effectiveness of the business
• Design data collection methodology for Labs projects
• Develop technical specifications and requests for proposal for mobile and mobile-web applications as well as cloud-databases and portals to access the data.
• Liaise with development resources on project management
• Monitor and report on product performance
• Develop and maintain documentation for operational processes and procedures.
• Advise on technical requirements and clearly explain and justify technical components necessary to implement Labs projects
• Obtain, manage and assess quotes for professional technical development

Qualifications & Skills

• 4-year degree qualification required, preferably in a subject related to math or computer sciences
• At least 3 years’ work experience, preferably in an international organisation
• Experience in developing and improving operational delivery processes
• Ability to perform business analysis by utilizing operational, financial and other data
• Understanding of technical infrastructure for mobile phone and mobile web applications.
• Knowledge of coding basics and limitations of software
• Ability to clearly define algorithms for technical specifications to pass on to a developer.
• Experience working on development of mobile phone and web applications as a developer, collaborator, or manager.
• Working knowledge of databases and database management tools.
• Coding / software development experience a plus: Java, HTML5, Android and iOS, SQL, MySQL, AWS preferred
• Ability to work autonomously and take initiative; demonstrate self-motivation and energy, work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Extraordinary interpersonal and communications skills, especially with customers and in customer service situations.
• Flexibility: willingness to work long hours, nights or weekends in order to make the project a success.
• Grit and persistence in trying to test our new products and the ability to not be discouraged.
• Experience working cross-culturally, and on tools or products for both a local and international user base.
• Proactive and inherently motivated to do your work, and do it well.
• Willingness to work as a team member with people across geographies and cultures
• Fluency in spoken and written English essential, local language knowledge preferred
• Expert knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Excel