About the company

Oikoi Pty Ltd designs and develops science-based systems for “last mile” operations in low resource settings. We specialise in getting high quality, reliable and actionable information from challenging environments. Oikoi has a strong focus and expertise working in global agricultural development and commodity supply chains, with a track record of improving the profitability, quality and sustainability of global agricultural enterprises. We do this through integrating a range of data-technologies and applying them alongside evidence-based operations and management.

We use CommCare for mobile digital data collection in both our research and our commercial operations. We run world-class research and evidence-based capacity building for our clients to build their skills and knowledge beyond our engagement. We believe that information is impactful when it tells a story. We use creative visualisations, photography, animation and film to deliver our findings.

Oikoi works with universities and research entities, multilateral agencies, social enterprises, nonprofit agencies and the private sector, to improve outcomes and impact for people.

Our values

Oikoi is based in Sydney, Australia, but works globally, with a focus in Southern Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Oikoi’s diverse team is bound together by a common purpose and values: we care about what we do and the people we work with; we do our best always and love solving problems; we learn from our mistakes and celebrate our successes; we want our work to matter.

Our approach to technology

What we do with technology

Oikoi’s use of technology has its foundation in mobile data collection in low resource environments. Since 2015, we have been global leaders in deploying CommCare applications for international agricultural research. In 2016, Dimagi recognised our innovation in the use of CommCare by endorsing us as an official partner organisation.

In the years since, we have furthered our use of technology by adding database management and real-time automated analysis to our core activities. Combining these tools with our world class research, we have delivered business and operational intelligence to clients in all sectors.

How we use technology

Oikoi believes that technology creates impact when it is grounded in reality and supported by its users. That’s why we favour an incremental approach to building and deploying technology systems. Our systems are designed to be modular so that users are given the time they need to become comfortable with new technologies and provide feedback. As we deploy system components, we learn and reevaluate using the intelligence and operational improvements generated by our research. To do this, our technology staff work closely with our researchers. They receive high-level briefings, conduct design / redesign consultations, and generate data exports and analysis for internal and client reporting requirements.

The role

Skills required

The role involves database management, internal IT administration and systems design.

Database management

Oikoi’s primary data management and analysis tool is Tableau. Applicants should have experience in using both Tableau Desktop and Tableau Online. They should be comfortable performing data reshaping on Tableau Prep Flow on Desktop. Ideal applicants will also be fluent in SQL or MySQL and have prior experience in database management.

Internal IT Administration

Successful applicants will be responsible for the technical administration of Oikoi’s portfolio of software. Some examples of current tools in use include: Google account, Tableau, CommCare, SNS and domain management, company website, Telerivet and SMS relays and Zoho. All IT administration duties will be performed in close collaboration with Oikoi’s COO.

Systems design

The role has an important ‘systems design’ component. Applicants should have a sufficiently broad knowledge of technologies to design integrated systems in low-resource settings. Examples of technologies that should be understood for design purposes are data collection and storage systems, fintech / mobile money solutions, API callouts for sensors or device integration, and web application development for public interfacing.

IT mentoring

The position includes acting as a technical mentor for other staff working with Oikoi’s IT systems. This can include troubleshooting, incident investigation and feedback, and coaching others on their IT tasks and planning. To be successful in this, applicants should be able to explain IT and database systems and tasks in a non-technical manner.

Qualities required

To succeed in applying technology systems to the ‘last mile’, the applicant will need to be ‘outcomes’ focused, and comfortable with unpredictability and redesigning systems as new operational information is learned. System redesign and reevaluation is a major part of our process, and is critical to ensuring our systems have good user engagement. The successful applicant should not be overly rigid in their approach to work or struggle with revised design briefings. In this case, experience in field application of technology (particularly in low resource settings, inventory or supply chains) would be highly regarded.

Additional desirable skills or attributes

Beyond the core requirements, the following skills or attributes would be highly favoured:

• Commercial aptitude - experience of applying technologies to new environments / use cases in a commercially viable way
• CommCare - prior knowledge and experience using CommCare is highly desirable but most applicants with the required skills should be able to learn CommCare quickly on the job
• Supply Chains / Inventory Management - experience in managing data systems for global supply chains and logistics or inventory management would be highly regarded.
• Project management - experience in IT-related workflow planning and task allocation among a team

Location and reporting

Oikoi Head Office is located in Sydney, Australia, however there is some flexibility in work location. To enable efficiency of operations, ideally the location should be within a 4-5 hour time zone from Sydney.

The position reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

Remuneration will be negotiated with the preferred candidate. The Indicative range is AUD $70,000 - $90,000 based on skills, experience and location.

Ideally this is a full time position, however there is some flexibility for the right candidate.

A position description is attached.