Samuel Waithaka

Experience

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  BrighterDayWeb

  Aug 2003 - May 2010

  Web Developer

  Lifegroup Network Project (Web Application):http://www.lifegroupnetwork.net:Developed the use case analysis, designed database and the application, did coding with the rest of the team. Web application is built on Zend Framework.

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  Institute of Advanced Technology

  Nov 2004 - Aug 2007

  Instructor

  Started training end user courses, then moved on to training technical courses, particularly user support and programming

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  Heinosoft Kenya

  Jan 2008 - Aug 2008

  PHP Developer

  Heinosoft Kenya is a high profile software development company. They work with open source technologies like Linux, Apache, PHP and MySQL. I mostly worked on Content Management and Email Systems

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  African Safaris and Adventures

  Jun 2009 - Aug 2009

  Webmaster

  Creating web content, managing website, creating blogs, carrying out search engine optimization (SEO)

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  Zamoya

  Apr 2010 - Nov 2010

  Web Developer

  - Application logic and database design- Developing CMS and enterprise applications using PHP- Developing user interface using XHTML and CSS from predesigned templatesProject:- Kengen's in-house Recruitment Portal:Database design and developing application for capturing candidates data including education and work history. Built in functionality to interface the application with SAPI.- Others: various companies websites and portals

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  Kencall

  Nov 2010 - Feb 2011

  Applications Developer

  - Part of a team developing and mainting a new Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) based on the Zend Framework (PHP)- Developing CRMs based on the conventional PHP development style

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  RiverBank Solutions

  Feb 2011 - May 2012

  Applications Developer

  RiverBank Solutions Ltd is a technology company that develops payment and loyalty solutions to businesses in the region. Some projects undertaken include the following:FKF Soccer Management System-------------------------------------------------------Football Management System for FKF (Federation of Kenyan Football), for managing all processes involving football matches, clubs and leagues.Taking lead development role including capturing user requirements, database design and the entire development process.Serena Hotels Loyalty Points System---------------------------------------------------------The entire system is used by Serena Hotels to capture loyalty points from their customers. I worked on a component that consumes API that stores customer information including their loyalty points accumulation and redemption. Show less

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  Ringier Kenya

  Jun 2012 - Sept 2012

  Lead Developer

  - Developing applications for various platforms and company brands, maintainance and troubleshooting, general IT

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  ABC Bank Group

  Sept 2012 - Jan 2023

  1. Development of APIs and bank systems integration with other channels, including Pesalink, partner saccos, KRA payment gateway (iTax) and Internet Banking2. Development of custom automation framework, that makes it possible to quickly automate business processes3. Working as software development lead in overseeing and coordinating the people, resources and processes required to deliver new software or upgrade existing software products4. Implementing a continuous improvement plan in software development. This includes consistent evaluation of functionality, user experience and performance of current solutions, and the development of new features for existing applications to make them more efficient5. Working closely with business managers and marketing department to identify and understand business requirements; providing technical and structural lead in developing necessary solutions to meet those requirements6. Ensuring documentation of all in-house developed software7. Ensuring code versioning and backups for all in-house developed software using Git and Gitlab8. Ensuring automated database backups using appropriate scripts and cron jobs9. Improving processes to achieve efficiency for the business by carrying out analysis and realizing necessary automation10. Development of customer facing software solutions through identifying market requirements and studying trends; the goal being to achieve better customer experience, optimal customer interaction and better conversion rates 11. Providing data reporting tools and business metrics to give business accurate position, trends or comparison for better decision making12. Testing and debugging applications, resolving performance issues and making revisions when necessary13. Ensuring business continuity by providing, promoting and utilizing knowledge sharing tools14. Providing different levels of support for the different systems Show less - Gathering business requirements so as to design and develop solutions that meet those requirements- Designing database and software for in-house developed software, to deliver software solutions to the bank- Customizing open-source software for deployment in the bank- Installation and configuration of application servers and databases for deployment of software solutions on test and live environments- Designing reports and uploading on reports server for business use- Maintaining software code and database backups for recoveries in case of eventualities Show less Capturing needs and requirements from business, using relevant tools to develop solutions that have realized cutting of costs, improved efficiency and TAT in service delivery. Some of the projects include the following:- Cab requisitioning process: the system built on PHP framework, CodeIgniter, automates the process of requesting and approving use of taxi services within organization. It realized curbing of wastage and also enhanced accountability. This was a major cost cutting avenue.- Forex API: Developed API for treasury department, for publishing live forex data. It was a critical for a strategic MoU that was entered with a government agency.- Recruitment portal: The online portal enables candidates to login, create profiles, update education and work history. I implemented integration with company's HR information system using Talend data aggregation tool.- Diaspora portal: Web portal bank's diaspora customers, including online account opening process.- Identities verification: Created a tool that queries the national registration of persons data bank via a WSDL web service. - Feedback tools: communication tool that maintains confidentiality for security department and HR feedback- Credit line proposal process: approval process for credit applications for the bank's SME division. When rolled out this will improve efficiency and TAT- Account Opening Process: The current manual systems take over one week for a customer to operate their new account. The system now in beta version has shown that this will be reduced down to 15 minutes. The delivery of this project, after completion will save the organization USD90000 that was being charged by the software company. Being lead developer, the system is built on a document management system framework and uses Java programming language.- Others: data analysis, reports building with charts using Jasper reports tool aiding decision making Show less

  • Manager, Software Development

    Jan 2016 - Jan 2023

  • Team Leader, Solutions Development

    Dec 2014 - Jan 2016

  • Systems Developer

    Sept 2012 - Dec 2014
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  Antler

  Jan 2023 - Mar 2023

  Venture Builder

  - Developing a startup founder's mindset, the mental and emotional aptitude that's required to build a business from zero to product-market fit, to scaling- Foundations of building a great co-founding team- Effectively growing networks and developing partnerships- Finding problem/opportunity by employing stakeholder problem tree, design thinking and other tools- Customer and problem validation through customer interviews, surveys, and expert conversations- Understanding markets through research and data- Market sizing - finding the Total Addressable, Serviceable Addressable, and Serviceable Obtainable Market for a venture - top-down and bottom-up TAM, SAM, SOM- Developing pitch deck and investor pitching Show less