Influence technology that actually matters.
Overview
Simprints is a nonprofit tech company founded by a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge. Our mission is to transform the way we fight poverty. We use technology like biometrics to radically increase transparency and effectiveness in global development. Our goal is to make sure that every vaccine, every bednet, every dollar reaches its intended beneficiary.
As the only nonprofit biometrics company in the world, we are working at the exciting interface of biometrics, tech, and international development: changing the status quo in the way NGOs and governments deliver vital services like vaccines, healthcare, finance, and emergency aid. Working with top partners like Google and ARM, we build IoT hardware and software with modern tools like Kotlin, Firebase, and Google Cloud with an aim to reach 4 million beneficiaries by 2021.
Since August 2016, we have launched projects in Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Malawi, and Somalia. This is just the beginning. Simprints has already committed to reach 4.5m beneficiaries by the end of 2019. Right now, our flagship project with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (backed by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation) is delivering essential deworming treatment to 2m individuals across 15 districts of Ethiopia.
Why does Simprints exist?
Numerous governments, businesses, and NGOs have committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “zero” targets, such as ending poverty and hunger. However, these targets are impossible to achieve if we have no idea who we have reached – and who we have missed. Compounded by poor infrastructure and weak national ID schemes, the inability to identify people costs lives, wastes resources, and prevents millions from escaping poverty.
A growing body of evidence demonstrates that biometrics have huge potential to address this challenge, building solid ID systems in short periods of time, improving aid distribution, reducing fraud, and simplifying monitoring and reporting processes (USAID 2017). With biometric IDs, previously ‘invisible’ beneficiaries may access rights and services that enable achievement of the SDGs.
9 Reasons to join Simprints
Life is short. We believe work should be awesome, meaningful, and fun. At Simprints we’re taking on global development’s biggest challenges, powered by an amazing culture and incredible people. Work with us, and you will grow faster, learn more, and take on greater responsibilities than nearly any other job.
- Genuine impact. The opportunity to join our Product team and work on projects that will reach millions of beneficiaries.
- An extensive network of people. Working closely with a diverse range of stakeholders and interfacing with tech partners, mentors, and social businesses.
- Scaling-up your career. There is huge opportunity to expand and grow your skillset as a PO. This role will including managing a backlog & requirement writing across hardware, firmware and software. It will involve a strong amount of tech-chops but it will also be helping shape our biometric modality strategy.
- Working flexible hours. More efficient late at night? Better before the sun rises? That’s fine by us. We are looking for people who get the job done, not for people who work between 9am and 5pm.
- Unlimited paid time off. We set high quarterly goals, but give people the freedom to choose when and how to recharge. Join a team that trusts you with the job.
- Fieldwork around the world. An opportunity to join our Project Operations team on a deployment, experiencing how Simprints impacts the lives of our users and beneficiaries.
- A focus on personal development and wellbeing. An Eduprints and Wellness allowance of £1,600 per annum. Plus free healthy breakfast and snacks.
- Pace and autonomy. We have a fun, fast-paced Scrum culture that enables individuals and teams to prioritise actions that align with our quarterly and yearly goals.
- Creativity and Innovation. Quarterly ‘Lego’ days where you can work on any project you want.
Role Overview
We are looking for a resourceful Product Owner to join our growing team. You need to be sharp, collaborative, a quick learner, and able to thrive in a startup environment. You should have a solid grasp on engineering, data analytics and strategy, and able to contribute to high-quality products that will impact millions of beneficiaries. Past experience with directing product lifecycles and the genuine desire to develop world-class skills are a must. You will have a wide-breadth of knowledge and are always looking to learn and improve.
What are your responsibilities?
- Develop and maintain product roadmap, time estimates, and priorities with the engineering team
- Develop and consolidate user stories and pain points, archetypes, feature lists, and key design materials into necessary product requirements
- Align commercial demand, engineering, and design to develop and maintain cutting edge technology
- Collaborate across various teams, establishing initiatives and aligning with cross-functional goals including timelines, workflows, and product benchmarks
- Ensure product continuously fulfills company mission, values, and goals with a strong emphasis on user needs
- Work within a squad that is driving our biometric modalities forward to be the best in tech4development.
What skills and experience do you need?
Product Management:
- Education and/or background in engineering (or several years managing technical products); experience with technology in an international development context is a strong plus
- Previous experience as product manager is mandatory, with experience in a tech company as a strong plus
- Experience identifying user pain points and collaborating with a wider team to implement solutions
- In-depth understanding of Agile methodologies, technical understanding of products and their life-cycles, and up-to-date knowledge on industry standards and best practices
- Demonstrated leadership and excellent communication skills
- Experience working on hardware/firmware is a plus, but not required
Human Skills:
- Intellect. You have a strong ability to synthesize and process key information
- People person. You are able to communicate effectively across many levels, and build strong interpersonal relationships with engineers, designers, operational managers, and external stakeholders
- Learning. You love learning new things and can pick up new methods quickly
- Flexibility. You are able to think on your feet, adapting quickly to new situations and tools
- Detail-oriented. You understand the importance of the small things
- Grit. You have the drive to dig deep into problems to discover pain points and features from multiple perspectives.
- Passion. If contributing technology for global health sounds exciting, we want to meet you!