Technology Lead at CivicDataLab

Who we are
We at CivicDataLab work with the goal to use data, tech, design and social science to strengthen the course of civic engagement in India. We work to harness the potential of the open-source movement to enable citizens to engage better with public reforms. Our work is centred around building data strategy, data platforms and data science applications to push data-driven decision-making at scale. Moreover, we work closely with governments, non-profits, think-tanks, media houses, universities etc. to build data and tech capacity.

What We are looking for
A technical lead to support our various interventions through open data platforms and open-source tools, focusing from development to leading teams. These efforts will help our partner organizations increase discoverability, searchability and uptake of open data in key social sectors like government finances, law and justice, urban development, etc. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse fields, sectors and cultural backgrounds. We are looking for people who are strongly aligned with our values and have an innate sense of problem solving, architecting solutions and adapt well to dynamic environments. They will work alongside data strategists, public policy researchers and other stakeholders to develop platforms that help citizens participate and engage in discussions and assist policy-makers and researchers in working with open datasets. Join the force to become the Disruptors, Ideators and Torch bearers through chaos.

What You’ll be Doing
* Plan, build and maintain end-to-end open source platforms to handle large scale data flowing from various sectors and geographies.
* Plan and develop key analytical components on data platforms.
Maintain a dynamic and scalable infrastructure for large scale open data platforms.
* Development and maintenance of data pipelines, to work around big and small datasets, through workflows that can be programmatically authored, scheduled and monitored.
* Work on developing data models and pipeline architecture, implementation and orchestration.
* Develop robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks and tools for various open data platforms with large user-base.
* Build and manage scalable Data APIs across key sectors.
* Helping various team mates plan, co-create and deploy open-source tools in various sectors.
* Bring new emerging technologies at CivicDataLab.

Skills you should bring
* Thorough knowledge of Python, Django and other related web frameworks.
* Should have an understanding of handling and manipulating data and querying mechanisms (SQL and alike) as well as data cleaning and manipulation.
* Should have sound knowledge of best practices for indexing and querying, normalizing, working with distributed databases, caching methodologies and more.
* Should be well versed with scalable infrastructure practices such as microservice architecture, infrastructure as code, distributed systems, scaling methods, load balancing and more.
* Should be familiar with maintaining large open-source projects.
Prior experience leading technology efforts in a diverse environment.
* Ability to actively engage with multiple stakeholders (like governments, civil society organizations, researchers, media and more) to plan and execute development sprints.

Good to have
* Prior experience in working with FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) communities.
* Familiarity working with Agile methodologies and Scrum processes.
* Engaging with government or research-based organizations on past projects will be a big plus.
* A good sense of humour.
* Prior experience of working remotely.

Why work with us
We help you not just define your 'impact' but also work with you towards finding a path to learn, realise and quantify its effect on our ecosystem.
Our past work and experience of working with communities and civic tech, in general, has connected us as a branch to a network of civil society actors and organisations. You’ll have the opportunity to leverage this network, to work on pressing, yet thought provoking issues, in sectors like Judiciary, Finance, Economics and Languages.
We also feel that this is our biggest strength, what we can offer you is not a feature to work on but a passage to an infinite long road of people, problems, ideas and opportunities that may help you find your place amidst the chaos.

How we work
At CivicDataLab, people work from their individual locations, being proactive at communication is the key. We use open source tools and agile methodologies in organising our work. We meet once every quarter at some part of the country to reconvene, learn from each other and help the organisation grow.

Recent Projects
Here’s a brief on our current and upcoming work:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-OvDzWg2IbwmkkqymaM_Mq0w2J4PeB9i8SEYw4AuWog/edit?usp=sharing
https://civicdatalab.in/resources/CivicDataLab-state%20of%20our%20work.pdf

How to Apply
You can send us a link to your CV/Portfolio/Website on *[email protected]* along with your experience details and a cover letter.

Base Criteria
Minimum 5+ years of experience working as Full Stack Python developer

The Process

We’re glad you’re interested in applying to CDL!
After each step, we decide whether to invite you to the next one. The entire process averages between three and four weeks.

Our interview process has four steps:
1. Your portfolio/CV with a cover letter
2. Introductory conversational interview
3. Take home assignment
4. A pair programming interview
5. Culture Round

*Cover letter and a written application*

The first step of the process is sending across your portfolio along with a cover letter. On average, we review applications about 2-3 days after they’re submitted. When we make a decision, you’ll receive a google form to fill in more details.

*Conversational interview*

This interview is intended to be a general conversation. We want to learn more about your interests, what you’re working on and why you want to work at CDL. Conversational interviews typically last for 30 mins and are usually conducted over a Google Meet video call. Once the interviewer decides, they’ll send you an email that has the details for the take-home assignment.

*Take-home assignment*
We would collaborate with you on a take-home assignment that lasts for a week. What we really want is to see what it’s like to work with you and how you take suggestions and think about design.
Your interviewers will get a decision to you within 2-3 days of the submission.

*The pairing interview*
Here you’ll share your screen and pair program with an interviewer. We look for how you debug, test, or act when you’re confused. The interview typically runs for an hour. Based on the inputs from the interviewers from all of the previous rounds, we will get to a decision in 1-2 days.

*Culture Round*
You will be introduced to the entire team in this round. We encourage a free and open discussion. Based on the feedback from the team, we will get a decision for you in 2-3 days, along with the offer letter.

Job Perks

Perks of working with Us

Wellness Allowance
If you're interested in taking classes that enhance your overall physical or mental well-being you have a INR 40,000 annual stipend to do so. For some people that might mean a monthly massage. Some take photography lessons or learn a musical instrument or buy a gym membership. It's up to you; the point is to learn something that you feel enriches you as a person.

Personal growth and development Allowance
At CivicDataLab, we encourage everyone to take up things that help one grow professionally and you get an annual kitty of INR 50,000 to do so. This includes attending or speaking at conferences, taking courses, acquiring hardware or software licenses or even joining summer schools. We feel that learning a skill should never be a hurdle to solve important problems for the community.

Practical assistance

Home Office Set-up
Since you work remotely, we want to make sure your home office is comfortable. You can expense up to INR 25,000 annually to set up your home office. This includes internet services, other tech infrastructure, etc.

Coworking Space Stipend
CivicDataLab encourages usage of coworking spaces. Please make sure you're using a true coworking space that's meant solely for working, not a club or social space.