M-KOPA is seeking:
Position Title: Software Technical Writer
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Position Start: Immediate
Reporting to: Head of Software Engineering
Overall Purpose: M-KOPA Kenya Limited seeks a skilled Technical Writer to meet the software documentation and technical writing needs of its Software Engineering team.
The Technical Writer will work on a range of documentation projects, supporting solution architects, developers and product managers.
The Technical Writer is expected to have a solid understanding of software development, processes and tools.
The value of this position is in ensuring that there is a reliable reference point for technical architecture and code documentation.
Introduction
About M-KOPA Solar: M-KOPA Solar, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, is the global leader of “pay-as-you-go” energy for off-grid customers.
Since its commercial launch in October 2012, M-KOPA has connected more than 250,000 homes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to solar power, and is now adding over 500 new homes each day.
The success of M-KOPA (M= mobile, KOPA= to borrow) stems from making solar products affordable to low-income households on a pay-per-use installment plan.
Customers acquire solar systems for a small deposit and then purchase daily usage “credits” for Kshs 40, or less than the price of traditional kerosene lighting. After one year of payments customers own their solar systems outright and can upgrade to more power.
All revenues are collected in real-time via mobile money systems (such as M-PESA in Kenya) and embedded GSM sensors in each solar system allow M-KOPA to monitor real time performance and regulate usage based upon payments.
This connected design means that M-KOPA is processing vast amounts of data (i.e. over 10,000 mobile payments per day) via the company’s proprietary cloud platform, M-KOPAnet.
As of January 2015 M-KOPA employs over 500 full time staff across East Africa and sells through a network of 1,000 direct sales agents. It has also commenced licensing its technology to partners in other markets.
M-KOPA has been recognised for its pioneering business mode and scale, notably winning the 2015 Zayed Future Energy Prize, being selected as the top New Energy Pioneer at the 2014 Bloomberg New Energy Finance awards and earning the 2013 FT/IFC Excellence in Sustainable Finance Award.
Role Profile
Key Accountabilities
- Work with internal teams to obtain an in-depth understanding of the product and the documentation requirements
- Create and maintain the information architecture
- Produce high-quality documentation that meets applicable standards and is appropriate for its intended audience
- Participate in the solution design process and capture specifications in great detail
Incumbent Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree /relevant credentials in technology.
Skills & Experience
- Required: At least 2 years of experience in working in a similar role
- Required: Strong understanding of Object Oriented Programming concepts
- Required: Ability to deliver high quality technical documentation paying attention to detail
- Required: Ability to quickly grasp complex technical concepts and make them easily understandable in text and pictures
- Required: Exceptional communication skills with excellent written English
- Preferred: Experience in working in an Agile environment
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills with an attention to detail
- Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage own time with changing priorities
- A results oriented individual who thrives working in a fast paced environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a willingness to go the extra mile to assist other team members
Remuneration: Competitive covering a monthly salary, performance bonus and medical benefits reflective of the candidate’s experience and skills.
How to Apply
To apply, send an updated detailed copy of your CV and a cover letter expressing why you feel you would be an excellent candidate for the role to careers@m-kopa.com with the subject EV-STW-2052
Deadline for applications 5pm on Friday 27th November, 2015.
Please Note: Due to the large number of applications received by us, we regret that you will not be contacted unless you are short listed for the post and invited for an interview. Therefore, if you have not heard from M-KOPA within 4 weeks of the date of the deadline your application, you should assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
This measure has been taken in the interests of efficiency and cost effectiveness and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.