VACANCY PARTICULARS. Web Applications Developer (Ref: 675) Who We Are. Our Vision. What We Do

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1 VACANCY PARTICULARS Web Applications Developer (Ref: 675) Hours per week: 35 (1.0FTE) Contract type: Fixed term until 31st March 2016 Grade: 6 Salary: 24,542-36,658 pro rata, per annum Closing date: 19th August 2015, 10am UK time Interview date: 27th/28th August 2015 Reporting to: Head of Open Knowledge and Digital Services Who We Are The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a leading global institution for development research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex. Our Vision Our vision is a world in which poverty does not exist, social justice prevails and sustainable economic growth is focused on improving human wellbeing. We believe that research knowledge can drive the change that must happen in order for this vision to be realised. What We Do Founded in 1966, IDS enjoys an international reputation based on the quality of our work and our commitment to applying academic skills to real-world challenges. Our theory of change is at the heart of what we do. We think that knowledge should be generated by sound methodology and in partnership with other development and nondevelopment actors. The Institute is home to over 120 staff working in research and teaching, 70 in knowledge services, communications and the library and about 200 students at any one time. But the IDS community extends far beyond this, encompassing an extensive network of over 360 global partners, 2,100 alumni and hundreds of former staff across the development community worldwide. The Institute is currently refreshing its vision, structures and strategy to meet the challenges of a rapidly-changing world. Directions of change include: Strengthening the engaged excellence of our work, including fuller integration of cutting-edge approaches to impact and communications throughout the Institute s research and knowledge activities and deepened collaboration with the University of Sussex; Building a more global vision of development studies, with associated shifts of emphasis in content and approaches to international partnerships and alliances; Combining thematically-focused work in research and knowledge clusters with Institute-wide progress towards a set of major strategic goals, provisionally around reducing inequalities, accelerating environmental sustainability, building inclusive and secure societies, and harnessing digital opportunities for social justice.

2 Job Description Overall purpose of the role The Web Developer is responsible for the design, development, implementation, maintenance and support of internet systems and applications for IDS projects and services. S/he also provides specialist input to collaborative web development projects with the Institute s partners worldwide and expert advice and consultancy within IDS and to partners. The core of the role is in the web software and systems lifecycle requirements analysis, specification and design, development, data migration, testing, implementation, support and maintenance. A high level of skill in web programming and database design for bespoke development is involved, together with a flair for customising off-the-shelf applications (open source and commercial) and integrating them with bespoke systems. The role involves collaborative working with a wide range of IDS colleagues involved in knowledge, information, research communications and learning activities, and with diverse external partners and other stakeholders worldwide, especially (but not exclusively) in Africa,Asia and Latin America. The Web Developer is a key member of IDS s Open Knowledge and Digital Services Unit (OKDS) systems team, working closely with the other team members, but also on his/her own initiative. S/ he: is jointly responsible with the other Web Applications Developer and the Web Systems Engineer for IDS-hosted Internet services and related information and knowledge systems hosted elsewhere; contributes to the work of IDS colleagues in strategy development and projects for the innovative use of new web technologies; participates in collaborative projects and technical partnership development, capacity development and learning activities. The IDS internet systems environment is a mixture of Windows-based and Linux/LAMP, with Internet systems based on open source technologies including Drupal and Wordpress, but with some legacy applications on Windows servers using Cold Fusion, Java and MSSQL. Over the past five years IDS has built an open data architecture to make the knowledge content of its services and projects as accessible as possible. This architecture is now being further developed into an open knowledge hub hosting datasets from a range of partners.the technologies include openapi and semantic web (open linked data), using Solr and Python. The role involves collaborative working with colleagues and external partners in open source and open data projects, as well as on websites and web 2.0 applications. Main Duties and Responsibilities 1. Information systems and applications technical planning, design, development, testing, implementation, support, and maintenance The postholder uses specialist web development skills and experience to ensure that the IDS internet systems and applications delivered by OKDS respond to the changing external environment and to IDS s strategic plans, with their increasing focus on open knowledge, in cooperation with Southern international partners, and on convening and facilitating global knowledge-sharing project work in new and innovative ways.

3 The major part of this work is on IDS s systems and applications, but work on external collaborative or partner systems, and on linking with other external services, is involved. Responsibilities include: Internet applications design, programming, customisation, configuration and implementation Database design, development and implementation Automated data and content migrations Troubleshooting bugs and errors Technical project management, including delivering work on schedule and within agreed cost limits Requirements analysis Producing functional and technical specifications Producing cost and time estimates Carrying out system and user acceptance testing Producing, updating and organising technical documentation Liaising with systems and services stakeholders - knowledge services and products editors, managers, users, partners and others Experimenting with new technologies Contributing to strategic thinking and planning Providing absence cover for: IDS OKDS support desk administration, bug tracking administration and software control IDS server support and administration The main technologies currently in use by OKDS are: Open source systems: Linux, Wordpress, Drupal, Python, openapi, open linked data, Solr, MySQL, PHP Legacy systems: Windows server, ColdFusion. Java, JRUN, MSSQL Server, IIS, Ultraseek, Verity Indexing Server, XHTML/CSS, Lyris Listserver, Webcrossing The data and content are mainly metadata and full text for documents and organisations. 2. Consultancy, advice, capacity development and learning The postholder uses specialist web development skills and experience to contribute to programmes and projects applying ICT development to improve knowledge access, collaboration and impact in the international development sector, especially through initiatives with other intermediary organisations to develop new and appropriate models, systems and behaviours for knowledge sharing, and to share learning, experience and expertise. Responsibilities include: Providing consultancy and advice within IDS and to external partners on established, new and horizon technologies (including web 2.0 and semantic web) Contributing to the development of project proposals, including service design, costing, and approaches to possible funders Contributing to the development of website design briefs and proposed designs Advising on XHTML/CSS, technology options, data exchange, database design, specialist software and services, and appropriate systems/technologies for specified requirements Transferring or exchanging skills and knowledge with partner organisations and their stakeholders, through training, mentoring or other events Contributing to events and other activities with external partners, for learning, monitoring and evaluation and impact assessment Contributing to collaborative work with external partners for the development and adoption of shared technical standards, protocols and ways of working, including open access

4 3. Networking, partnership building and technical relationships Engaging with potential technical partners, to establish collaborative relationships and identify and develop joint projects and activities Engaging with relevant specialist networks and forums, and participating in debates, to represent the perspective of IDS and its partners Liaising with external technical contractors and suppliers Liaising with technical staff in external partners, on collaborative projects and activities Liaising with IDS Computer and Technical Services (CATS), and the Library Information Systems Manager 4. Other OKDS & IDS-wide activities support and work collaboratively with colleagues across IDS generally and within specific programmes and projects attend regular OKDS and Communications and Impact meetings contributing to progress reports and presentations to funders and advisory groups contribute to the evaluation and impact assessment of activities contributing to learning and reflection on the delivery of services and activities across the Communication and Impact Units, IDS and externally representing and promoting OKDS and IDS at external meetings and conferences where appropriate contributing to the strategic development of IDS and its programmes, and taking part in IDSwide discussions and debates. carrying out other OKDS or IDS-related tasks as required Equalities You must be prepared to implement the Institute s Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriate to the job and must at all times carry out your duties with due regard to the Institute s Equal Opportunities Policy. Health and Safety You must be prepared to be responsible for the implementation of, and compliance with, the provisions of legislation relating to the health and safety of such employees and areas of the workplace as fall under your direct control and for complying with legislation relating to such works and contracts as are within your direct responsibility. General You will be required to undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade and character of the work as may reasonably be required of you. Therefore, the list of duties in this job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. Your duties will be set out in this job description but please note that the Institute reserves the right to update your job description, from time to time, to reflect changes in, or to, your job. Significant permanent changes in duties and responsibilities will require agreed revisions to be made to this job description. You will be consulted about any proposed changes.

5 Person Specification Skills and experience Requirement Essential Desirable Assessment Qualifications Degree in a subject related to IT, information systems or services Knowledge Good general knowledge of Internetbased information systems and services and the modern information and knowledge environment Good general knowledge of Internet technology and awareness of likely future developments Good knowledge of open data technologies, including openapi Knowledge of semantic web technologies / open linked data Good knowledge of open source CMS and database technologies Knowledge of social media tools and technologies Internet usability issues Web design and website accessibility issues Database design issues Knowledge of international development issues, including related ICT issues Basic understanding of important internet protocols and standards, including http, ftp, smtp, DNS, TCP/IP Knowledge of Web usage analysis issues Knowledge of web systems performance issues Knowledge of legacy Internet technologies (e.g. older browser versions, application servers) which are still used by knowledge services stakeholders Application Application, Interview

6 Skills Knowledge and demonstrable effective use of Internet programming, database and server software in the Linux environment Good Python and PHP programming skills Database systems development, including relational databases, textual data, and interface design advanced level, to stakeholder satisfaction, with skills in open source SQL database technologies Web-based information systems development, including CMS advanced level, with skills in: XHTML/CSS and Javascript XML/XSLT Web services / SOAP Open source CMS Apache Solr Website search / indexing servers Excellent team working skills, with the ability to work as part of a team or unsupervised on own initiative as occasion demands. Good interpersonal skills, with a tactful, assertive and articulate voice in meetings and in inter-personal situations Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise complex and multiple tasks, and to work to deadlines. Good all round communication and presentation skills, spoken and written Good problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to assimilate and analyse complex information. Project management skills and experience in relation to ICT systems or Internet information services, including working with stakeholders Linux or other Unix server management and administration skills, including configuration and security Web-based information systems development skills: Drupal Wordpress Google Analytics Negotiation skills Application, Interview, Exercise

7 Experience Information systems development and implementation, including software development lifecycle: Requirements gathering and analysis Preparing functional and technical specifications and securing sign off Software and system testing Producing technical documentation change management, bug tracking, version control systems Integrating technologies and systems, including use of APIs Some experience of working with systems in a Linux or other Unix environment Experience of using MS packages effectively including Access, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Visio (o equivalent) Website management and maintenance Liaising with technical contractors and suppliers to ensure contract compliance Working as part of a technical team Work in a cross-cultural team Work with remotely located partners Experience of working in the non-profit or academic sectors Familiarity with standard project management tools and techniques Software control including repository management and releases Web usage analysis, packages Working with website designers Performance testing, monitoring and tuning for databases and web applications Application, Interview, Exercise Attributes / Health/other Flexible approach and ability to cope with rapid change Capacity to work across cultural / institutional barriers Ability to prioritise complex and multiple tasks, work to deadlines, work under pressure and cope with emergencies Fast learning curve for new software and technologies, with ability to assimilate and analyse complex information Willingness to engage with a variety of ICT environments and approaches Ability to be work-based in Brighton, UK Some UK travel and short overseas trips) will be required Commitment to putting ICTs to work for development Application, Interview, Exercise

8 Information to Candidates Benefits At IDS we offer a number of additional benefits to staff. These include: a competitive salary, including cost of living awards and incremental increases on an annual basis as per policy and the option to join our pension scheme. Please see for more details interest free travel loans, following successful completion of a probationary period support in attainment of a relevant professional qualification in line with the Professional Development Policy childcare voucher scheme and childcare fund competitive maternity and paternity policies that offer compensation above the statutory minimum 24 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time), plus public holidays and up to 6 nonnegotiable closure days enhanced sickness pay entitlements support with relocation costs for staff joining us from outside the EU eligibility to use the University of Sussex gym and sporting facilities at staff rates Location The successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Development Studies on the University of Sussex campus. The University of Sussex is located 10 minutes away from the lively and cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton on the UK South Coast, 60 minutes away from central London, 30 minutes away from London Gatwick Airport and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Sussex South Downs. Situated between the sea and the South Downs, Brighton is one of the most vibrant and unique cities on the South Coast, for more information please go to How to apply Applications on official form only (CVs are not accepted): Human Resources Institute of Development Studies Brighton BN1 9RE, UK Alternatively please your application to hr@ids.ac.uk please insert the job title and reference number into the subject line of the . We would recommend that electronic applications are sent 24 hours in advance of the deadline, to ensure there are no technical difficulties. Owing to the large number of enquiries received and consequential processing/postage costs, regretfully, it is not possible to enter into further correspondence with all applicants. Therefore, if you do not receive any communications by the interview date, please assume that, on this occasion, your application has not been successful.

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