The AKTC was founded in 1988 and is registered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a private, non-denominational, philanthropic foundation. It is an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of institutions created by His Highness the Aga Khan, with distinct yet complementary mandates to improve the welfare and prospects of people in countries in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa. AKTC is currently operating in Afghanistan under the name of Aga Khan Cultural Services – Afghanistan (AKCS-A) and is registered with the Ministry of Economy of the country.

Part of the wider development program of the AKDN in Afghanistan, the AKCS-A has since 2002 been engaged in a range of initiatives in Kabul, Heart, Balkh, Badakhshan, Ghazni, and Logar aimed at the conservation and revitalization of historic neighborhoods, the improvement of living conditions and the development of professional and crafts skills.

AKCS-A is implementing several projects in Afghanistan aimed at protecting Afghanistan’s tangible/intangible cultural heritage and improving the living conditions of the inhabitants, as part of a broader process of urban revitalization.  Working within a team of Afghan and international professionals, under the direct supervision of the CEO or his/her designate, the Application/Mobile Application and Database Developer will be involved in a range of digital archiving activities in support of AKCS-A’s conservation and rehabilitation activities in Afghanistan.

Background:

AKCS-A is implementing a capacity-building initiative to enhance the documentation and mapping skills of NGO partners. A core component of this initiative involves developing a GIS-based mobile application and associated databases to document and visualize project activities effectively. The Application/Mobile Application and Database Developer will play a critical role in modifying open-source GIS applications and developing the database systems needed for this initiative.

Purpose of the Role:

The Application/ Database and Mobile Application Developer will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining a secure, high-performance database infrastructure integrated with a GIS-based mobile application. The ideal candidate must have extensive experience in database architecture, optimization, and security to ensure reliability, scalability, and real-time data processing capabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Database Development & Management

• Design and implement scalable, high-performance, and secure databases for GIS applications.
• Develop multi-layered database architectures capable of handling spatial and non-spatial datasets.
• Optimize query performance using indexing, partitioning, and caching strategies.
• Implement real-time data replication and failover mechanisms for high availability.
• Develop data security policies ensuring compliance with GDPR, ISO 27001, and other standards.
• Use blockchain technology to enhance data integrity and prevent unauthorized modifications.
• Implement machine learning-driven predictive analytics for GIS data processing.

2. Mobile Application Development

• Develop a cross-platform mobile GIS application with seamless database connectivity.
• Implement offline data storage and automatic synchronization with cloud-based servers.
• Ensure secure API integrations and role-based access control for users.
• Develop automated error detection and recovery mechanisms.

3. Data Security & Compliance

• Design end-to-end encrypted data storage and transmission protocols.
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero-trust security models.
• Conduct regular security audits, penetration testing, and threat analysis.

4. Integration & Advanced Analytics

• Integrate databases with GIS platforms like ArcGIS, QGIS, and AutoCAD.
• Develop big data processing solutions using Apache Spark and Hadoop.
• Build real-time geospatial analytics dashboards.

5. Technical Support & User Training

• Develop user manuals, training materials, and workshops for other teams.
• Provide ongoing technical support for database and application users.
• Set up chatbots for self-service troubleshooting.

   

   

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of hands-on experience in database architecture and optimization.
• Proven experience developing mobile applications, preferably GIS-based, using platforms like Flutter, React Native, or similar frameworks.
• Familiarity and experience with the Linux Ubuntu operating system.
• Proficiency in database development and management using tools like PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, or Oracle
• Familiarity with integrated development environments (IDE) like Visual Studio, Code::Block, or IntelliJ IDEA.
• Experience with GIS and CAD software and tools, including QGIS, ArcGIS, AutoCAD or similar platforms.
• Strong programming skills in Java, Python, or other relevant languages.
• Knowledge of data visualization techniques and tools.
• Familiarity with user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design principles.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on capacity-building projects or development initiatives.
• Knowledge of Afghanistan’s development and humanitarian context.
• Familiarity with cloud-based GIS platforms and services.
• Understanding of database security best practices.

Deliverables

• Customized GIS-based mobile application ready for deployment.
• User-friendly databases integrated with the GIS application.
• User manuals and training materials for application and database use.
• Successful training sessions conducted for NGO staff.
• Regular progress reports on development and deployment milestones.

Interested Afghan nationals should submit their letter of interest and CV by e-mail to the Human Resources Department through, jobs.akcsafg@akdn.org

The subject line of your email must be: (Application/ Database and Mobile Application Developer/2025/03). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written test and/or an interview no later than April 30 2025.

AKCS-A is an equal opportunities employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

AT THIS STAGE, PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT THE SCAN COPIES OF YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (degree, certificates, etc.)