WFP - CBT


  •    CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES - Cash-Based Transfers provide direct financial assistance enabling beneficiaries to purchase essential goods locally. We designed cloud and on-premise data infrastructure to support WFP's Data Analytics team in managing over $2.3 billion, automating end-to-end pipelines and training staff to ensure long-term resilience.


  •    IMPLEMENTED SOLUTIONS  - We delivered modern architectures for hybrid cloud environments using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for automated data operations at scale. Through Agile SCRUM leadership, we implemented knowledge management systems and security-first governance. We managed over 80 software repositories with continuous improvements that significantly enhanced efficiency and release times.


  •   CHALLENGES - Introducing automation, testing and documentation standards required profound cultural transformation. Projects faced continuous changes due to humanitarian priorities and operational emergencies whilst maintaining deadlines. Ensuring end-to-end security required navigating rigorous compliance protocols with sensitive beneficiary data and zero error tolerance.


  •   VICTORIES - Proactive monitoring and automation significantly reduced production issues, improving system reliability. Optimised processes accelerated iteration cycles and reduced time-to-value. We consolidated fragmented technical knowledge into accessible systems, reducing dependency on key individuals and improving cross-team collaboration.


  •   TECHNOLOGIES - SCRUM management, Test-Driven Design, Python/Django, Postgres, AWS Lambda, ECS, RDS, WAF, Athena.


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CONTEXT & GOALS

Cash-Based Transfers (CBT) are monetary transfers through which WFP provides direct financial assistance—in the form of cash or vouchers—to individuals, enabling them to purchase food and other essential goods in local markets.

This method promotes beneficiary freedom of choice, increases dignity and supports local economies more sustainably compared to traditional in-kind food aid. To support WFP's Data Analytics team in overseeing and managing over $2.3 billion, we designed and built robust data infrastructure both on cloud and on-premises. Our work focused on automating end-to-end data pipelines to gather, cleanse and transform data from internal and external sources, ensuring accuracy, consistency and timeliness in financial and operational reporting. 

Beyond the technical aspects, we collaborated with WFP to structure the entire software development lifecycle, establish sustainable knowledge management practices and provide targeted staff training to develop internal capabilities and ensure long-term platform resilience. 

IMPLEMENTED SOLUTIONS

  • Robust Architecture and Scalable Design: execution of in-depth analysis and delivery of modern, resilient software architectures, tailored to WFP's hybrid cloud and on-premise infrastructure requirement.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for Data Operations: design of fully automated frameworks for large-scale data acquisition, transformation and validation—accelerating delivery times and reducing manual workload. 
  • Portable Web Analytics Platform: development of modular platforms for data collection and analysis, deployable in both cloud and on-premise environments—ensuring flexibility in field operations globally. 
  • Agile Leadership and Knowledge Management: structuring and leading SCRUM teams with implementation of project-level knowledge management systems—ensuring continuity, transparency and reproducibility of deliveries. ​
  • Governance and Security-First Development: integration of data protection measures, access controls and compliance directly into the software lifecycle—in alignment with WFP's internal security protocols and international standards. 
  • End-to-End Platform Management: maintenance, monitoring and evolution of complex ecosystems of over 80 software repositories—balancing feature delivery with platform stability and governance. 
  • Continuous Process Improvement: identification and implementation of performance improvements in development workflows, achieving efficiency gains and improvements in release times on critical components.

CHALLENGES

  • Fostering a Culture of Engineering Maturity: introducing consistent standards for automation, testing and documentation represented not only a technical change—but also a cross-cutting cultural shift for the teams involved, accustomed to ad hoc or reactive delivery practice. 
  • Operating in Intricate and Unpredictable Environments: projects underwent continuous variations as humanitarian priorities, operational emergencies and donor timelines changed, whilst nonetheless maintaining delivery schedules and long-term objectives. 
  • Protecting Sensitive Data in a Complex Ecosystem: ensuring end-to-end security meant navigating rigorous compliance protocols, heterogeneous infrastructures (cloud and on-premise) and highly sensitive beneficiary data, with no margin for error. 

VICTORIES

  • Platform Operations Stabilisation: significant reduction in production issues through proactive monitoring, automation and targeted corrective interventions—resulting in greater system reliability and decreased operational disruptions. 
  • Increased Delivery Velocity: optimisation of development and release processes, enabling faster iteration cycles and reducing time-to-value on key initiatives. 
  • Institutionalisation of Compliance and Governance: effective integration of corporate policies, including security standards, quality assurance and delivery, into daily engineering practices. 
  • Centralisation and Preservation of Critical Knowledge: consolidation of fragmented technical knowledge into structured and accessible systems, reducing dependency on key individuals and improving onboarding and cross-team collaboration. ​