Technical Director

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Brazil (remote), Colombia, Bolivia, or Peru

The Technical Director is responsible for developing technical solutions, advising divisions and teams on solution design, implementation, and maintenance, and developing standards in the areas of cloud-solution development and cloud infrastructure management. Additionally, the technical director will track technical solutions across CI and create communities of practice to share ideas and best practices. The technical director will advise IT staff and leadership on strategy and annual goals. Areas of oversight and management include system architecture and design, security, routine maintenance, platform selection and review, and vendor management.

Duties include directly designing, developing, and implementing cloud-based applications and platforms, such as Conservation.org and CI’s AWS platform, developing standards for technical design, development, and support, advising CI programs on all aspects of solution development, and creating communities of practice.

The Technical Director works across CI to build strong relationships to provide robust, secure, and manageable technical solutions. They represent CI and work to build alliances with community and external stakeholders who are critical to application success. They also manage the budget and vendor relationships for cloud-based technical services.

Responsibilities

• Primary technical point of contact for technical solutions for CI.
• Lead technical design, development, and implementation efforts for web-based systems including any internal and external integrated components, including primary technical responsibility for www.conservation.org
• Advise CI staff on the selection, development, and maintenance of technical solutions and applications.
• Develop and maintain CI standards for cloud-based applications development, hosting, and maintenance working with members of the IT security and infrastructure teams.
• Support the selection and procurement process for IT solutions, including contract review.
• Lead communities of practice in the areas of cloud-based application development and hosting.
• Maintain ongoing inventory of IT solutions across CI and evaluate risks with the Senior Director of IT Security and Senior Director for IT Infrastructure.
• Manage relationships with external vendors as needed on join development activities, including timelines, budget, and deliverable acceptance.
• Develop processes to ensure efficient and effective monitoring of website, application, and cloud infrastructure performance, security, reliability, and cost-efficiency.
• Contribute to CI’s overall IT strategy and annual goal development.
• Ensures continuity of service through managing licenses, renewals, and technical assets, identifying opportunities for technical enhancements and cost efficiencies for IT Solutions.
• Support program financial sustainability by identifying funding opportunities. Partner with CI and HQ staff on funding proposals and contribute to regional/global fundraising efforts.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain inventory of web applications and ensure appropriate access and security measures are being followed.
• Provide and manage a code repository for all web applications effectively managing user's access and permissions.
• Become knowledgeable of the most up-to-date and commonly used technical tools and vendors in the marketplace to support web-based systems development.
• Represent the organization externally and serve as a trusted point of contact for CI.
  
  

People And Resource Management Responsibilities

• Manages the web application’s budget and finances.
• Manage project staff consisting of internal and external resources
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position may require minimal travel.
• This position can be remote.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree and 7 or more years of related work experience.
• 2 or more years of supervisory experience with direct staff or external vendors.
• Knowledge of the following technical languages: HTML, JavaScript, CSS, SQL, PHP, .Net, C#, Python.
• Knowledge of Linux and Windows Server Operating Systems.
• Knowledge of Content Management Systems, including Sitefinity, Craft CMS, Drupal, and WordPress.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms, such as AWS and Azure.
• Experience with DevOps Practices, CI/CD, and Automation.
• Experience working with low-code solution platforms, like Microsoft Power Platform and Salesforce.
• Experience with Agile, Scrum, Lean, and Waterfall software development methodologies.
• Experience with all aspects of technical solution design, implementation, and maintenance.
• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Ability to lead and participate in diverse teams in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to provide creative solutions for complex problems based upon the most up-to-date technology and best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to document technical design and architecture.
• Proven ability to communicate technical tasks and questions to non-technical teammates.
• Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English is required.
  
  

Preferred

• Promote knowledge share, best practices, guidelines, and relevant information for Cloud and Web-based applications.
• Proven ability to manage IT projects consisting of internal staff and external vendors.
• Proven software development and lifecycle experience.
• Proven AWS and/or Azure experience.
• Proven requirements-gathering experience.
  
  

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.