Forward Deployed Engineer – Sub-Saharan Africa – Fully Remote

About the CompanyOur client is a US non-profit funder-doer that builds projects to expand human agency at scale. They embed engineers and product managers directly inside evidence-based nonprofits across East Africa, South Asia, and beyond, helping them build data infrastructure, run experiments, and scale impact through automation and product thinking. Their small, global team combines expertise in software, AI, social psychology, and development economics, and their community of 200+ partner organizations reaches millions of people annually.About the RoleWe are looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to join our client's team. You will work directly on-the-ground with NGO partners to investigate, architect, implement and adapt technology platforms and programmes in the field. You will be part engineer, part consultant, and part mentor — making technology work for real users in resource-constrained environments.ResponsibilitiesArchitect and adapt data-driven technology solutions at partner NGO sites across multiple countriesDiagnose and organize partners' existing applications and data systemsDeploy and configure our client's technology platforms and programmes to scale and improve partner operations and impactServe as the primary technical point of contact for field-side implementation challengesCustomize and adapt platform features based on partner-specific workflows and constraintsTrain partner staff on platform usage and build internal technical capacity at partner organizationsIdentify and escalate product issues, collecting structured feedback from field deploymentsCollaborate with our client's engineering team to translate field learnings into product improvementsDocument deployment processes, partner configurations, and lessons learned for reuse

Requirements

Have 2–5 years of software engineering, data science or technical consulting experienceAre proficient in at least one backend language (Python, Javascript, etc.) and comfortable with APIsCan navigate ambiguous, low-connectivity environments with resourcefulness and creativityHave strong interpersonal and communication skills — comfortable training and presenting to technical and non-technical audiencesAre a strong problem-solver who can debug novel issues without a reference manualAre genuinely excited about the 'last mile' — the messy, human, operational reality of technology in the fieldCan work with significant autonomy while staying deeply connected with a distributed teamDesirable/Nice to Have:Prior experience living or working in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)Familiarity with mobile data collection tools such as KoboToolbox, CommCare or ODKExperience with WhatsApp, SMS or USSD-based systems, or designing for low-bandwidth environmentsKnowledge of a major language spoken by partner communities (Hindi, Swahili, Arabic, French, etc.)Background in global health, international development, or humanitarian technologyContractual Information:Fully remote and flexible working environmentCompetitive compensation commensurate with experienceIf you wish to apply, please send your CV to Justin Peach at jpeach@caglobalint.com.