Would you like to join the leading international intergovernmental organization?
We are looking for a senior Python Backend contractor to support the modernization of existing applications as part of a broader platform transition. This is a highly hands-on role: the selected contractor must have strong practical experience and be able to contribute from day 1 with minimal ramp-up.
The main focus of this role is to refactor existing Python applications with minimal intervention to support the gradual decomposition of a monolith into a set of decoupled services, while ensuring that configuration and settings are fully environment-based.
This is a delivery-focused role, not a greenfield rewrite or architecture-only position. We are looking for an engineer who can assess the existing codebase quickly, identify pragmatic refactoring opportunities, and implement them directly.
Important: we will only consider candidates whose primary professional experience is as a Python Backend Engineer. Profiles coming mainly from adjacent roles with only partial backend exposure will not be considered
Key responsibilities:
- Refactor existing Python backend applications to support the decomposition of a monolith into smaller, decoupled services.
- Identify pragmatic, low-impact changes that improve modularity and separation of concerns without unnecessary redesign.
- Ensure application configuration and settings are environment-based and suitable for deployment across multiple environments.
- Develop and maintain production-grade backend services and APIs in Python with focus on maintainability, reliability, and security.
- Support the transition of applications toward containerized and automated deployment models, working closely with DevSecOps and platform engineers.
- Improve code quality, testing, troubleshooting, and documentation to enable safe incremental change.
- Troubleshoot and resolve functional, integration, and performance issues in existing backend services.
- Document implemented changes and contribute to good backend engineering practices across the team.
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- 7+ years of professional experience in backend software development, with Python backend engineering as the main professional focus.
- Strong recent hands-on experience in Python backend development.
- Proven experience building and maintaining production backend services and APIs.
- Proven experience working in existing or legacy codebases and performing incremental refactoring.
- Practical experience supporting the decomposition of monolithic applications into smaller, decoupled services.
- Strong understanding of environment-based configuration, backend architecture, API design, and database design.
- Good understanding of integration patterns, service boundaries, and maintainable backend design.
- Familiarity with CI/CD practices, Git workflows, code reviews, and Agile/Scrum delivery.
- Good understanding of secure coding practices and writing maintainable, well-tested code.
- Strong analytical, debugging, communication, and documentation skills.
- Experience with Docker and Kubernetes-based deployments.
- Experience with message queues, event-driven architectures, or caching strategies.
- Experience in cloud or hybrid environments.
- Good spoken and written English.
If you've read the description and feel this role is a great match, we'd love to hear from you! Click "Apply for this job" to be directed to a brief questionnaire. It should only take a few moments to complete, and we'll be in touch promptly if your experience aligns with our needs.
