Full Stack PHP Developer

The Halo Trust; Wilton; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A humanitarian non-profit organization is seeking a Full Stack PHP Developer to work on a web-based internal operations management system. This critical role involves creating and managing functionality to support operations in mine clearance and ordnance disposal across multiple countries. The position allows for mostly remote work with some office days required. Ideal candidates will have strong experience with Laravel, PostgreSQL, and JavaScript, motivated to improve digital processes that positively impact communities affected by conflict.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Non-contributory Life Assurance (3 x salary)

Private medical health cover

Workplace Pension with up to 5% contributions matched

Qualifications

• Experience with recent Laravel versions and PHP8.
• Ability to write native SQL: PostgreSQL, MySQL or SQL Server.
• Experience managing large Postgres databases with hundreds of tables.

Responsibilities

• Creating new functionality and interfaces with Laravel, Bootstrap and JavaScript.
• Scripting database changes using Data Definition Language.
• Writing unit tests to ensure coverage of key functionality.

Skills

Laravel

PostgreSQL

Bootstrap

JavaScript

Git

Tools

AWS

Docker

GitHub

Job description

Location & Salary

Location: This position is located in Southern England (Wiltshire, Somerset, Bath & NES, Bristol, Dorset, Hampshire) with mostly remote working and a few days per month in our office in Wilton (near Salisbury). Overseas travel may be possible from time to time.

Salary: up to £45,000

Contract: Full Time, Perm

Role Summary

Full Stack PHP Developer to work on our web‑based internal operations management system, built in-house in 2020 using Laravel, Bootstrap and PostgreSQL, and hosted in AWS. The system is the largest database of mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and weapons and ammunition management operations in the world, spanning 30 countries, over 20,000 minefields and data on the daily productivity of 10,000 staff. This role offers an opportunity to work with meaningful data that improves the lives of communities affected by conflict.

In 2025, HALO published its Technology Strategy to increase the use of technology throughout our mine‑clearance operations. This role is a critical element of delivering the roadmap to ensure cutting‑edge technology can be used to increase efficiency and to ensure data flows into the hands of users in remote areas.

Reporting to the Head of Information Management and GIS, we seek a developer who is comfortable working across the entire software development stack. The system is mission‑critical; used by hundreds of users worldwide and must operate reliably in conflict‑affected countries with poor internet connections.

This role is suitable for someone motivated to deliver tailored interfaces that help colleagues improve digital processes. It requires attention to detail, a pragmatic attitude, and the ability to react to new requirements in rapidly changing environments (e.g., recent events in Syria, Gaza and Sudan). The successful candidate will work with a large Postgres database, NoSQL JSON data, write PHP in Laravel, design interfaces with Bootstrap and Blade views, write native JavaScript, deploy code on servers, communicate with stakeholders and collaborate with teams in explosive ordnance disposal, weapons and ammunition management, and landmine clearance.

Role Responsibilities

• Creating new functionality and interfaces with Laravel, Bootstrap and JavaScript to ensure flexibility for future requirements and scalability.
• Scripting database changes using Data Definition Language and rolling them out to ensure minimal downtime and integrity of existing data.
• Storing all changes in Git with descriptive commit messages.
• Tracking progress of work using Jira and GitHub issues.
• Writing unit tests to ensure coverage of key functionality.
• Reviewing pull requests of other developers.
• Selecting third‑party packages that are well‑supported and future‑proof.
• Upgrading backend and frontend software as appropriate to keep our systems secure and performant.
• Testing all changes before releasing to production.
• Collaborating with other colleagues to design solutions based on stakeholder requirements.
• Documenting new features and system architecture concisely.
• Providing training sessions to system users on new features.
• Isolating and fixing bugs, ensuring existing functionality does not change.
• Responding to incoming questions from programmes.

Person Specification

• Resilient, able to adapt in a complex, fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Experience delivering priority work within strict timelines.

Required Experience

• Experience with recent Laravel versions and PHP8.
• Frontend CSS/HTML frameworks such as Bootstrap.
• Ability to write native SQL: PostgreSQL, MySQL or SQL Server.
• Using JSON within SQL databases.
• Setting up webservers.
• Managing native JavaScript or jQuery with modules and NPM.
• Vite or Webpack.
• Git.

Desirable Experience

• Multi‑tenanted codebases.
• Managing large Postgres databases with hundreds of tables and millions of rows.
• Working with PostGIS data.
• Leaflet Maps / Google Maps API.
• Docker.
• Experience working with RESTful APIs.
• Linux, Ubuntu, Apache/NGINX.
• AWS or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Writing tests, TDD/BDD.
• Working with charities or NGOs.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Non‑contributory Life Assurance (3 x salary).
• Private medical health cover.
• Emergency medical insurance when travelling overseas.
• Workplace Pension with up to 5% contributions matched by HALO.
• Occupational Health services including physiotherapy support and counselling support.
• Flexible working policy.

Application

To apply for this role please submit your CV and supporting statement before the closing date for applications which is 11th January 2026. If there is a sufficient calibre of applicants we reserve the right to close the role earlier than the date noted.

Equal Opportunity & EEO Statements

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero‑tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.