Head of Unit, Application Development at LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited

LAPO Microfinance is a pro-poor financial institution committed to the empowerment of low-income Nigerians through creation of access to responsive financial services on a sustainable basis. The institution was founded as a non-profit entity by Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe while working as a Rural Co-operative Officer.

LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited exists to address the economic and social subjection of a large number of Nigerians through provision of financial services to micro, small and medium enterprises on affordable terms. LAPO Microfinance Bank provides a range of financial services which enable low-income households enhance their productive capacity; build and consolidate their economic and manage their risks. These products and services include loans, savings, micro-investment and micro-insurance services.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Unit, Application Development

Location: Lagos
Job Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Management:

• Develop and implement the application development strategy in alignment with the organization's IT strategy and business objectives.
• Plan and budget for application development projects, resources, and tools.
• Lead and manage the Application Development team, including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and mentorship.
• Establish and maintain application development standards, policies, and procedures, including coding standards, testing methodologies, and deployment processes.

Application Development Lifecycle Management:

• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC) for all application development projects, from requirements gathering to deployment and maintenance.
• Ensure the use of appropriate development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) for different projects.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Monitor project progress and provide regular updates to stakeholders.

Team Leadership & Mentorship:

• Provide technical leadership and guidance to the application development team.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Mentor and coach team members to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Conduct performance reviews and identify training needs.

Technical Design & Architecture:

• Collaborate with architects and senior developers to design and implement robust and scalable application architectures.
• Ensure that applications are designed with security, performance, and maintainability in mind.
• Participate in code reviews and provide feedback to developers.

Quality Assurance & Testing:

• Implement quality assurance processes and testing methodologies to ensure the delivery of high-quality applications.
• Oversee the testing of applications, including unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing.
• Ensure that defects are identified and resolved promptly.

Technology Evaluation & Implementation:

• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and frameworks to improve application development efficiency and quality.
• Stay up-to-date with industry best practices and emerging trends in application development.

Vendor Management (if applicable):

• Manage relationships with external software development vendors, if applicable.
• Negotiate contracts and ensure service level agreements are met.

Reporting & Communication:

• Provide regular reports on application development projects, team performance, and technology trends.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders about application development initiatives and issues.

Application Closing Date
27th February, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: careers@lapo-nigeria.org and Copy: precious.omoruyi-wise@lapo-nigeria.org using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.