Development Lead

This position is based in Baghdad. Please apply only if you are willing to relocate to Baghdad.Primary ResponsibilitiesThe Development Lead will spearhead the design, development, and integration of digital platforms and applications for a major port and logistics project. The role requires strong alignment with the organization's Applications Manager to ensure that all solutions comply with corporate standards, governance frameworks, and best practices. The Development Lead will be the bridge between the project team, corporate IT governance, and external stakeholders, ensuring both local delivery excellence and corporate alignment.Duties and Essential Job Functions1. Leadership & GovernanceReport to and align development activities with the Applications ManagerEnsure all development follows corporate standards, policies, and governance frameworksProvide transparent reporting, documentation, and escalation to the Applications Manager on project risks, issues, and progressAct as a local development authority while ensuring adherence to enterprise-wide architecture and coding standards2. System Design & DevelopmentLead the design, development, and customization of systems supporting port operations, logistics, customs, shipping, security, and financial workflowsEnsure developed systems are scalable, secure, and interoperable with corporate applications and ERP platformsImplement modern technologies (microservices, APIs, LLM/AI integration, blockchain, cloud-native applications)3. Integration & Data ManagementEnsure seamless data flow between project systems and corporate central platformsEstablish alignment of data governance, master data management (MDM), and access controls with corporate-level policiesDrive the development of APIs, integration middleware, and secure data exchange models4. Quality Assurance & DeliveryCoordinate with the Applications Manager to establish quality assurance standards, secure development practices, and DevSecOps pipelinesEnsure compliance with corporate security, audit, and regulatory standardsDeliver systems on time, on budget, and aligned with both local project requirements and corporate-wide strategy5. Stakeholder & Vendor ManagementAct as the technical focal point between project stakeholders, vendors, and the Applications ManagerAlign vendor deliverables with corporate architecture and compliance frameworksProvide regular updates to both project management and the Applications Manager to ensure governance consistencyQualificationsEducationBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fieldExperience10+ years in software development, with 5+ years in a lead/architect roleDemonstrated experience in system integration for logistics, port management, ERP, or large-scale digital transformation programsExperience working in corporate governance environments is a plusTechnical ExpertiseEnterprise application development, API management, microservicesIntegration with ERP/CRM platforms and port/logistics systemsCloud (AWS/Azure), containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), DevSecOps practicesKnowledge of cybersecurity standards and compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, COBIT, PCI DSS)Familiarity with AI/LLMs and blockchain-enabled applicationsPreferred Certifications: PMP/Prince2, TOGAF, ITIL, COBIT, or equivalentKey CompetenciesStrong leadership with a governance-first mindsetAbility to balance local project requirements with corporate-wide alignmentEffective communicator with both technical and business stakeholdersStrategic yet hands-on problem solverStrong vendor and partner management skillsPerformance Indicators (KPIs)Alignment of all development activities with Applications Manager policies and standardsSuccessful integration with corporate-wide applications and platformsOn-time delivery of development milestonesCompliance with cybersecurity and governance requirementsStakeholder satisfaction at both project and corporate levels