Open Knowledge Foundation
Jobs & Opportunities

Senior Developer for CKAN Services

Location: Home based, with minimal CET working hours overlap                                          

Type of contract: Full-time Self Employment Contract (32 hrs per week)                                              

Duration: Eight weeks starting immediately

Compensation: $320 per day, depending on experience

Reports to: Technical Lead & CEO

Open Knowledge Foundation

Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN) is a global non-profit organisation focused on realising open data’s value to society by helping civil society groups access and use data to take action on social problems. Through teaching, creating and campaigning, it works for a fair, sustainable and open future for all. The wide range of projects we work on aim to give people access to data, the knowledge to understand it, and the power to use it in our everyday lives.

Desired Profile

We seek a talented Senior CKAN Developer to join our team on an exciting and impactful project: building a CKAN instance for an international humanitarian organisation and a national disaster management agency in a developing region.

Backed by a global development institution, this initiative will create a centralised platform for sharing critical geospatial and GIS data, strengthening disaster management efforts. In this role, you’ll be pivotal in designing and customising the platform to meet the agency’s unique needs, ensuring it’s fully functional by a deadline. This is a fixed-time contract, with opportunities to support ongoing development and enhancements in the future, making a lasting difference in a region that needs it most.

As the Senior CKAN Developer, you’ll use your expertise to build a basic CKAN instance with tailored features, focusing on the specific demands of disaster management data. You’ll work hand-in-hand with the Product Owner and stakeholders to turn requirements into practical, high-quality solutions, creating a scalable and easy-to-use platform. After the initial launch, you’ll help shape its future, tackling new challenges and potentially guiding junior developers as the project expands. We’re seeking someone with strong CKAN experience, Python skills, and a drive to use technology for good.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and Customize: Create and enhance the CKAN platform with custom features and extensions, ensuring it supports geospatial and GIS data vital for disaster management.

  • Collaborate Effectively: Partner with the Product Owner, stakeholders, and team members to understand needs, offer technical advice, and deliver solutions on time.

  • Maintain High Standards: Produce clean, well-documented code, following best practices like version control, testing, and continuous integration.

  • Troubleshoot Issues: Address technical problems during development and after launch, keeping the platform stable and efficient.
    Mentor Others: Share your knowledge with junior developers, fostering teamwork and building skills across the group.

Required Skills & Qualifications

  • CKAN Experience: Hands-on expertise in developing and customizing CKAN platforms, preferably for geospatial or disaster-related projects.
  • Technical Skills: Proficiency in Python (CKAN’s core language), plus knowledge of web technologies like Flask, SQLAlchemy, and JavaScript. It is also required proficiency in Docker and Bash scripting language.
  • Geospatial Know-How: Understanding of geospatial data formats (e.g., GeoJSON, Shapefiles) and GIS systems is key to this project’s success.
  • Agile Mindset: Proven ability to thrive in agile settings, delivering quality work under tight timelines.
  • Communication: Strong skills in speaking and writing, working with diverse teams, and documenting your work.

Consultants must have good connectivity and conduct activities with their equipment, including video conferencing. If you’re a skilled CKAN developer ready to make a real impact, we’d love for you to join us. This is your chance to shape a critical platform that supports disaster management efforts with global significance. Apply now and help us build something that matters!

Closing date: March 15th 2025

How to apply

If you’d like to apply, please send your CV, your availability and a short cover note highlighting your interest in the role and outlining your suitability to jobs@okfn.org. The position will be filled on a rolling basis, so you might be contacted before the application deadline. 

At Open Knowledge Foundation we are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and aim to cultivate and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team. We value and encourage diversity because a range of experiences and perspectives enriches our work and strengthens our ability to address complex challenges. Applicants from communities that are under-represented in our workplace - ethnic minorities, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTI+ individuals are encouraged to apply.

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