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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Programming Officer

💰 Competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications

TechnologySoftware DevelopmentInformation TechnologyProgramming

🎯 Role Definition

The Programming Officer is a key technical contributor responsible for the entire software development lifecycle, from initial concept and design through to deployment, maintenance, and user support. This role involves writing high-quality, clean, and maintainable code for new and existing applications. Beyond pure coding, the Programming Officer collaborates closely with project managers, analysts, and end-users to understand needs, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and ensure that software solutions are aligned with strategic business objectives. They are the backbone of technical execution, ensuring that the organization's digital tools and platforms are robust, secure, and effective.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Software Developer
  • IT Support Specialist (with demonstrated coding skills)
  • Recent Computer Science or Software Engineering Graduate

Advancement To:

  • Senior Programming Officer / Senior Software Engineer
  • Lead Developer / Tech Lead
  • Software Architect

Lateral Moves:

  • Systems Analyst
  • Database Administrator (DBA)
  • DevOps Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, develop, test, and maintain high-quality, scalable, and secure software applications and systems to meet defined business requirements and user needs.
  • Write clean, efficient, well-documented, and reusable code in accordance with established coding standards and best practices using languages such as Python, Java, C#, or JavaScript.
  • Actively participate in troubleshooting, debugging, and resolving complex software defects and production issues to ensure minimal disruption to business operations.
  • Collaborate with business analysts, project managers, and stakeholders to gather, analyze, and translate functional requirements into detailed technical specifications and design documents.
  • Design, implement, and manage relational and non-relational database schemas, queries, and stored procedures to ensure data integrity, performance, and accessibility.
  • Develop and maintain integrations between various internal systems and third-party services using RESTful APIs, webhooks, and other integration technologies.
  • Participate in peer code reviews to provide and receive constructive feedback, ensuring code quality, consistency, and adherence to team standards.
  • Create and execute comprehensive unit tests and integration tests to validate software functionality and ensure the delivery of robust, bug-free code.
  • Produce and maintain clear, concise, and thorough technical documentation for software applications, including system architecture, design patterns, API specifications, and user guides.
  • Manage the deployment process for new software releases and updates, utilizing version control systems (like Git) and CI/CD pipelines to ensure smooth and reliable transitions to production.
  • Proactively identify opportunities for code refactoring and system improvements to enhance performance, scalability, and maintainability of existing applications.
  • Continuously research and evaluate emerging technologies, programming languages, and software development trends to recommend and implement process or technology improvements.
  • Offer advanced (third-level) technical support for developed applications, investigating and resolving escalated user-reported problems in a timely manner.
  • Design, build, and maintain robust and secure RESTful APIs to support web, mobile, and desktop applications and facilitate seamless data exchange between services.
  • Contribute to discussions and decisions regarding system architecture and technology stack choices for new projects, ensuring long-term viability and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Plan and execute complex data migration and transformation tasks between different systems and databases, ensuring data accuracy, security, and integrity throughout the process.
  • Implement and adhere to security best practices throughout the software development lifecycle to protect applications and data against common vulnerabilities and cyber threats.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and perform exploratory data analysis to provide insights for business stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and technology roadmap by providing technical insights and recommendations.
  • Collaborate with various business units to translate their evolving data and application needs into actionable engineering requirements.
  • Participate actively in all Agile/Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, to foster a collaborative and efficient team environment.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to junior developers or interns, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the team.
  • Assist in the evaluation and selection of new software tools, frameworks, and third-party solutions to enhance development productivity and capabilities.
  • Develop custom reports and data extracts from various data sources to support business intelligence and operational reporting needs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Programming Proficiency: Deep knowledge of one or more object-oriented programming languages like Python, Java, C#, or similar.
  • Web Technologies: Strong experience with front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js) and back-end frameworks (e.g., Django, Spring Boot, .NET Core).
  • Database Management: Expertise in designing and querying SQL (e.g., PostgreSQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL (e.g., MongoDB, Redis) databases.
  • Version Control Systems: Proficient in using Git for source code management, including branching, merging, and pull requests.
  • API Development: Proven ability to design, build, and consume RESTful APIs and an understanding of API security principles.
  • Cloud Platforms: Familiarity with cloud services (AWS, Azure, or GCP), including compute, storage, and database services.
  • SDLC Methodologies: Practical experience working in an Agile, Scrum, or Kanban development environment.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to deconstruct complex technical problems, analyze options, and deliver effective and creative solutions.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong team player who can work effectively with cross-functional teams, share knowledge, and contribute to a positive team culture.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to coding, testing, and documentation to ensure high-quality, error-free deliverables.
  • Adaptability: Ability to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to changing project requirements and priorities in a dynamic environment.
  • Time Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work effectively, and meet deadlines consistently.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree or professional certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Developer, Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Information Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of professional experience in a software development or programming role.

Preferred: Demonstrable experience in the full software development lifecycle, from conception to deployment and maintenance. Experience working in an enterprise environment and familiarity with CI/CD practices is highly desirable.

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