Backend Engineer (Volunteer)
Summary
Volunteer backend engineer who designs, builds, and scales core backend services and APIs for a telemedicine and clinical digitization platform in Ghana, integrating payments, messaging, and medical services while improving reliability, performance, and security. Core stack: Node.js/Fastify/Express with TypeScript, SQL/NoSQL databases, and auth systems like JWT, RBAC, and OAuth.
Compensation: No equity
About Us
BawaHealth is building an integrated telemedicine + clinical digitization platform that brings fast, affordable care to patients across Africa. We are digitizing the healthcare workflow, from booking to teleconsultation to EHR to payments, starting in Ghana.
We recently completed an MVP pilot with a partner hospital and are now building a scalable V2.
If you’re passionate about using technology to transform healthcare and improve lives, we’d love to hear from you.
Role
We’re looking for a talented Backend Engineer (Volunteer) to help design, build, and scale our core backend services.
You’ll work closely with the founding team and mobile/web engineers to evolve our product from MVP to a production-ready platform serving hospitals, doctors, and patients.
What You’ll Do
Design and build backend services and APIs
Improve system reliability, performance, and security
Integrate with external services (payments, messaging, medical services)
Optimize data models and workflows for clinical environments
Support the onboarding of hospitals, clinics, and specialists
Collaborate with mobile/frontend teams to ship product quickly
What We’re Looking For
2+ years experience in backend development
Strong skills in Node.js / Fastify / Express / TypeScript (preferred)
Experience with SQL or NoSQL databases
Familiarity with microservices and architectural patterns
Understanding of auth systems (JWT, RBAC, OAuth)
Comfortable owning features end-to-end
Excited about healthcare and emerging markets
Nice to Have
Experience with AWS / GCP / Azure
Healthcare systems experience (EHR, clinical workflows)
Realtime communication experience (WebRTC, WebSockets)
Why Join
Build a product that improves access to healthcare for millions
Collaborate with mission-driven founders
Gain startup experience in a high-impact space
Flexible remote work
High potential for future paid/full-time role + equity opportunities