Java Backend Engineer

Are you a Java Backend Engineer and a skilled problem-solver? Do you want to be a part of an innovative team that uses its technical skills to make a positive impact? Then this role could be for you!

The Company

Tiko believes in a world where all youth have the power to choose where, when, and how they meet their sexual reproductive health needs. Our digital platform delivers scalable and verifiable sexual reproductive health services for young people in 6 main markets in Sub Saharan Africa - Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Zambia. We work together with local communities and use nudges like reminders, discounts, and reward points to encourage our users to access and use sexual and reproductive health services. We also support our users in becoming micro-entrepreneurs and adding value to their economies.

Tiko has offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Zambia, the UK, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Globally, our team consists of +200 enthusiastic, international colleagues. Whether you are working from our biggest office in Nairobi, the fast-growing office in South Africa, or from home, our people are young and our culture is global and dynamic. Our work environment is fast-paced, informal, and friendly. You can learn more about what being part of Tiko is like here.

We are open to remote work for this position and will happily accept applicants from Portugal, Kenya, and South Africa.

The Job

You will form an integral part of our Agile tech team who is responsible for creating and maintaining the software that allows our platform to function. You’ll also be responsible for:

• You maintain and develop new features on our software platform. You apply the principles of software engineering to the design, development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of our software.
• You make sure the software you develop is secure and safe with regards to information security & personal data.
• We expect you to actively participate in meetings and projects and to coordinate with your team members. We also expect you to continue to develop yourself and keep abreast of new developments. 
• You document your work and make sure that your documentation is clear and understandable for future use by others. 
• Our team works in an agile way and you will be part of the rituals and practices. 

About you

You have in-depth development experience using Java and building software from the ground up. You’re a logical thinker and a natural problem solver who wants to use your technical skillset to make an impact.

Requirements:  

• You have a minimum of 5 years of experience working with Java backend tools and frameworks, including Spring.
• You are not just focused on writing code—you strive for quality and scalability.
• Experience with microservices and AWS is a plus.
• You have excellent English skills, both spoken and written.
• You are currently based in Portugal / South Africa / Kenya.

Recruitment Process

Introductory call with recruiter | First Interview with Tech Team | Technical Challenge | Final interview with the Tech Team

The Rewards

At Tiko we believe in being open, also when it comes to salaries. The monthly salary bracket for this position is €2,965 - €4,942 gross in Portugal, R69,602 - R116,003 gross in South Africa, Ksh340,477 - Ksh567,462 gross in Kenya, plus benefits. We will offer you a salary in this bracket depending on your level of experience and how it relates to your future colleagues.

In addition to your monthly salary, we offer you:

• Comprehensive benefits and allowances based on location.
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote or hybrid options where applicable.
• A personal development budget of €500 to support professional growth, including training, certifications, and career advancement opportunities.
• Unlimited holidays – as long as you coordinate with your team, you’re good to go!
• The chance to shape a growing and impactful product and leave your mark on how we do things.
• A vision that we trust that you will do your job without us having to invent unnecessary rules and regulations.

The Details

Interested? Click Apply for This Job! Want more information? Check out our website tikoafrica.org or contact our Global Recruiter. We only accept applications through the apply links, not by email.

—
Tiko prioritizes integrity in our workplace and respects your privacy.

Tiko is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour by its employees at work, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This is why we will do reference and background screening checks on successful candidates before hiring. Tiko also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. As part of this scheme, we will request information from your previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during your employment, or incidents under investigation when you left employment. By applying for this position, you confirm you have read and understood these recruitment procedures.

We value your privacy and understand the importance of safeguarding your personal data. We invite you to review our privacy notice for the recruitment process to understand how we collect, use, and protect your personal data during the recruitment process. Click here to view the document. By applying for this position, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our privacy notice.