VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Position: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Company: Ethel Holdings PLC
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Employment Type: Full-time/Part-time Executive Level
Reports to: CEO / General Manager
Ethel Holdings PLC is a newly established, ambitious holding company entering the Ethiopian IT business landscape. Our vision is to build and operate a portfolio of technology-driven platforms that address critical market needs. We plan to launch several ventures, including:
- An e-commerce platform for construction materials
- A house selling & renting mobile app
- A fintech solution for international money transfer
- A transport ride-hailing app and many more
As a beginner in the IT sector, we are looking for a hands-on, visionary leader to build our technology foundation from the ground up.
The Role – Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
This is a founding-level executive position. You will be the sole technology leader responsible for taking our digital product ideas from concept to launch and beyond. You will have full major autonomy over all technology decisions, vendor selections, development processes, and team building.
Your responsibilities will cover all of our planned platforms—ensuring they are reliable, scalable, secure, and user-friendly across Android, iOS, and the web simultaneously.
Key Responsibilities
- End-to-End Product Development (for all ventures)
- Lead the full development lifecycle of each platform
- Decide whether to build from scratch or purchase from established app developers.
- If purchasing: Evaluate external solutions, select the best-fit app based on features, tech stack, scalability, and cost. Manage adaptation, customization, and integration to meet Ethiopian market needs.
- If building: Architect, code, and oversee development using modern, scalable technologies.
- Technical Strategy & Architecture
- Define the overall technical vision, roadmap, and architecture for all platforms.
- Ensure the platforms are designed to handle local realities (e.g., low-bandwidth scenarios, payment integration with local banks/financial institutions, mapping for ride-hailing).
- Choose appropriate backend, frontend, database, and cloud infrastructure.
- Multi-Platform Delivery
- Ensure each product is delivered simultaneously as a native Android app, native iOS app, and a responsive web application (Progressive Web App or separate web frontend).
- Hands-On Leadership (Early Stage)
- In the initial phase, be the primary developer and architect – writing critical code, setting coding standards, and building the first working versions.
- As the team grows, transition into a lead/manager role while staying technically engaged.
- Team Recruitment & Management
- Recruit, interview, and hire all necessary IT professionals: developers, QA engineers, UI/UX designers, DevOps, and support staff.
- Build a high-performing, collaborative engineering team.
- Mentor and manage the team, conduct performance reviews, and foster a learning culture.
- Operational & Business Integration
- Oversee integration with:
- Payment gateways (local & international)
- Order management and logistics
- CRM systems
- Mapping and geolocation services (ride hailing)
- Property databases and MLS (for real estate app)
- Remittance and forex partners (for fintech)
- Implement SEO best practices for all web-based components.
- Security, Compliance & Data Privacy
- Ensure all platforms comply with Ethiopian laws (e.g., data protection, financial regulations, KYC/AML for money transfer).
- Implement robust security measures against fraud, data breaches, and cyber threats.
- Budget & Vendor Management
- Manage the technology budget (cloud costs, third-party APIs, and purchased app licenses).
- Negotiate with external vendors and service providers.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Total years of experience: Minimum 10 years in software development, IT architecture, or related roles.
- Specific leadership experience: At least 4 years in a senior technical leadership role such as CTO, Head of Engineering, Senior Technical Lead, or Technical Product Manager.
- Proven track record of delivering at least one complete, production-ready mobile + web platform (ideally in e-commerce, fintech, or marketplace domains).
- Demonstrated experience in hiring and managing technical teams.
Technical Proficiency
Domain Required Technologies
- Backend: Node.js, or Python (Django/Flask), or Java (Spring Boot)
- Frontend (Web): React, or Vue.js, or Angular
- Mobile: Experience with cross-platform or native (React Native, Flutter, or Kotlin/Swift) – ability to deliver both Android & iOS simultaneously
- Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB
- Cloud platforms: AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or Azure
Strong Grasp of E-commerce & Platform Fundamentals
- Payment gateways integration (e.g., Chapa, Telebirr, PayPal, Stripe)
- Order management systems and inventory tracking
- Logistics / delivery integration
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) basics
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for web platforms
Other Essential Competencies
- Experience with vendor/software selection: evaluating third-party apps, reading technical documentation, and making build vs buy decisions.
- Ability to work in a fast-moving, ambiguous startup environment with minimal supervision.
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken); Amharic is a plus.
What We Offer
- Competitive executive salary (negotiable based on experience)
- Performance-based bonuses
- Possible equity share based on performance and product outputs
- Opportunity to build and lead the entire technology division of a growing holding company
- Ownership of technical decisions – no micromanagement
- A chance to shape multiple impactful products that serve the Ethiopian market
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should send:
- An up-to-date CV
- A brief cover letter explaining your experience with either building or purchasing multi-platform digital products (e-commerce, fintech, or marketplaces)
Application deadline: 12 days from the date of this announcement
Ethel Holdings PLC is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage qualified female applicants and persons with disabilities to apply.
