ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND

IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental network. It supports business to make decisions that are positive for nature through integrating data sets in the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT).

PROJECT BACKGROUND

IBAT is a web-based mapping and reporting tool used by companies, governments, researchers, and financial institutions to access global biodiversity datasets with which to make better decisions around the environment. IBAT has been developed and is maintained by the IBAT Alliance, a partnership of leading conservation organizations, including BirdLife International (BirdLife), Conservation International (CI), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). IBAT is a crucial link between the IBAT Alliance Partners and the private sector, and is the only way for commercial entities to access three of the most globally authoritative conservation datasets – The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the World Database on Protected Areas, and the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas. With over 200 clients (including the World Bank Group, Google, Rio Tinto and Nestlé), over 20,000 registered users and an annual budget of over $4m USD, IBAT also plays a critical cost recovery role in supporting, updating and maintaining these datasets. Through IBAT, the Alliance seeks to support both better decision-making and the improved collection, update and management of biodiversity data to inform those decisions. IBAT is key to the strategic response of the Alliance Partners to the UN’s Global Biodiversity Framework and features prominently in their plans for the next decade.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

As Lead Software Architect, you are responsible for all aspects of the technical development of IBAT. Managing the IBAT engineering team, you will provide technical leadership, shape architectural decisions, and ensure the technical excellence of the IBAT platform. You will be responsible for setting the technical direction of IBAT, harnessing new technologies and approaches to ensure that IBAT can leverage the exponential growth of IBAT to provide better outcomes for biodiversity and ensure IBAT remains the world’s most authoritative biodiversity tool in a rapidly changing landscape. Reporting to the Conservation Informatics Manager in the IUCN Science and Data Centre, you will work closely with stakeholders across the IBAT Alliance to ensure the technical vision and strategy are aligned.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. This position leads a team of developers that includes staff based in other organisations (e.g. UNEP-WCMC) and external consultants.
2. Provide technical leadership and guidance to the development team, ensuring the successful execution of projects
3. Oversee the architectural design of software solutions, ensuring they are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with best practices
4. Create and develop architecture in an agile environment
5. Drive technical innovation within the team by staying updated on the latest trends and advancements in web development and GIS
6. Lead the resolution of complex technical challenges, providing guidance and solutions to ensure project success
7. Identify skill gaps within the teams and facilitate training and skill development plans to enhance technical capabilities.
8. Ensure that development practices adhere to security, data privacy, and regulatory compliance standards.
9. Have a hands-on approach to coding and ensure the quality of the output meets the desired needs
10. Rigorous approach to testing and documentation
11. Facilitate technical discussions to uncover new insights and best practices.
12. Mentor and guide members of staff to ensure they are learning and progressing