Job Description – Chief Technology Officer

 

g.Maarifa, a mobile interactive education system designed for developing markets, is looking to hire a full-time Chief Technical Officer, starting immediately. As CTO, you will be responsible for the design and construction of an interactive SMS mobile delivery system with a strong analytics back-end in the short- run (the g.Maarifa platform). In the long run, as our target customers in emerging markets adopt more advanced technology, i.e. smartphones and laptops, we will create education platforms for other media accordingly.

 

We have two business lines: 1) a proprietary training, certification/evaluation, and placement business, which prepares unemployed youths for the job market or self-employment; and 2) a white label version in which we license the g.Maarifa platform to outside organizations and institutions for their own content and target audiences.  This platform provides additional functionality in the form of user management, registration, testing, data management and tracking, performance analytics, and a robust reporting system.

 

At present, our system delivers content via SMS and is built in Python.  However, we anticipate expanding the platform to include mobile web (for both Java-based smart and non-smart phone devices), Apps (iOS and Android), and internet (potentially Java/PHP/HTML).

 

We are an early-stage startup. We completed our pilot testing with great success in September of 2012 and are looking forward to finalizing the core product and adding new features. We will have impact investors and angel investors on board in Q4 of 2012 to fund ongoing operations. On the white label side, there are several client contracts waiting to be confirmed and signed.

 

We are looking for an experienced CTO who can lead the design and build out our infrastructure and become a key member of our team. Because this is a new venture, we are looking for someone who is fun, adventurous, and willing to take risks.

 

The CTO must have the following qualifications:

1)      At least five years of experience coding in Python and Java (knowledge of Android, iOS, Ruby on Rails, and HTML/CSS/Javascript is a plus)

2)      Knowledge of hardware most commonly used in developing markets, network design, system administration, and operations

3)      Understanding of fundamental business concepts

4)      Familiarity with the workings of mobile technology and mobile commerce (including payments)

5)      Passion for emerging markets and travel

6)      Have at least two years of experience in business management or in a leadership capacity.

7)      Have a sense of adventure

 

g.Maarifa is based in Nairobi, Kenya but our co-founders are Americans. As you will be instrumental in building products for African markets, we require that the CTO spend at least 50% of the time in Kenya.

 

The CTO will receive the following:

1)      Approximately a 15% equity stake in the company

2)      Salary upon negotiation

3)      Living stipend

4)      Travel budget

 

Start date: immediately

To Apply: please send a coverletter and resume (no longer than one page) to evanna@gmaarifa.com