Afternoon all,<div><br></div><div>I&#39;ve had some free time today so looked into the technical gap Wikimedia UK is facing (this is somewhat tied into the 2013 activity plan/budget). My understanding is that the developer job <a href="http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/2013_Activity_Plan/Ideas#Build_a_tech_team">failed to recruit a suitable candidate</a>. I&#39;ve not seen any feedback on that, but at the time I did criticise the process and suggested this might happen (not intending to gloat, just pointing this out).</div>
<div><br></div><div>One of the major problems, I think, was we wanted a multi-skilled individual with management experience... at a rate around £10,000 less than the average for London (and that is conservative).</div><div>
<br></div><div>As I was such a staunch critic :) it seems only fair that I make the effort to submit a proposal I think would work out for us next year. To wit; I am proposing we fill the technology gap short term by contracting an individual one day per week. This will be a little more expensive than one-fifth of the full-time rate proposed before - but because it is contracted we are more likely to find someone able to address the varied requirements.</div>
<div><br></div><div>My estimate for contractor cost + a technical budget (for servers, travel, etc.) is about £17,000 - just over half of this years budget. This based on my experience of doing similar work.</div><div><br>
</div><div>The proposal is drafted here: <a href="http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:ErrantX/2013_Developer_role">http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:ErrantX/2013_Developer_role</a></div><div><br></div><div>If you have a moment to comment on it that would be great! Ideally the community needs to identify <i>exactly</i> what development needs it has - and establish some fixed goals for hiring. If we can do this I am confident we could fill this gap.</div>
<div><br></div><div>And if it seems ridiculous say so :) I am simply trying to present a possible option.</div><div><br>Cheers,</div><div>Tom</div>