Data Management Specialist -

Data Management Specialist
Long Term Technical Assignment
Democratic Republic of Congo

Company Profile:

SoCha (meaning “Social Change”) is an independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) firm that provides bespoke solutions to social challenges. We are a US-registered, veteran-owned small business and staff support offices in Nairobi, Bangkok and Mauritius. SoCha currently supports assistance interventions across Asia and Africa.

Background:

SoCha, LLC is contracted to provide technical and advisory services to the United States Agency for International Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (USAID/DRC) on the 5-year Mission Strategic Support Program (MSSP). The purpose of MSSP is to provide services assisting the mission with strategy and activity-level performance monitoring, evaluation and learning, including conducting data gathering and verification, data visualization, data quality assessments, impact and performance evaluations, assessments, organizational learning, and MEL capacity building

MSSP is seeking the services of a Data Management Specialist. This is a local-hire position.

Position brief:

The Data Manager role is responsible for all aspects of MSSP’s data management requirements as they pertain to MSSP contract deliverables. This includes assessing project data needs, solutioning those needs, deploying software applications, and maintaining their operationality.

The Data Manager role encompasses both technical and quality components. On the technical side, the role involves developing and maintaining databases and other digital repositories. The quality aspect of the role is to ensure that the data in the system allows for appropriate analysis. In this capacity, the Data Manager advises and assists analysts in the development and implementation of data collection, structure, coding, review, entry, validation, editing, and reporting of research data. Additionally, the Data Manager provides training and ongoing support to users in all aspects of data management, analysis, visualization and reporting.

Responsibilities:

Consistently assess data management needs of the project across its 7 objectives. Evaluate system performance and make recommendations for improving hardware, software, and data storage.
Identify software technologies, functionality, and hardware to ensure availability of data and other information needed to support planning and execution of MSSP work orders.
Design, develop, and modify the data infrastructure to speed up data analysis and reporting processes and oversee the integration of new technologies and initiatives into data standards and structures.
Plan and implement roll-out of new applications relevant to MSSP MEL work, including training programs, to ensure full competency on new technologies.
Develop and maintain a well-structured GIS database and assist in designing and implementing assigned GIS projects and deliverables.
Develop and enforce standard operating procedures for data creation, handling, maintenance, securization and archiving.
Develop and manage user training to improve the use and analysis of available data. Update and maintain all training-related documentation.
Review presentations, manuscripts, charts, and tables to ensure accuracy, quality and attractive data visualization products.
Ensure security and compliance for data that adheres to privacy laws, USAID regulations, and SoCHA corporate policy.
Continuously refine MSSP’s data management strategy and tools to promote sustainability and interoperability.
Assist with any other technical areas relevant to management information systems, such as SoCha’s ERP.
Assist in identifying opportunities and coordinating project work with other partners on data management issues or other relevant areas.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications and experience:

The data manager must be familiar with database design and systems, database technology and logical data analysis. To be successful, they also need additional skills and qualifications, as follows:

Minimum requirements for the position:

- A master’s degree in computer science, data management, MIS, data analysis, information technology, or another discipline related to management information systems.
- At least five years of professional experience in data management, data analysis, or other data administration functions.
- Experience in using KoboCollect, ODK, and similar packages to create data collection tools.
- Experience transforming and streamlining data from one digital format to another; e.g. from CSV to SQL supported formats; between KoboCollect and structured data tables etc.
- Experience working with ArcGIS, QGIS, and Microsoft Excel, SPSS, Stata, Google data labs.
- Experience in GIS data collection, data cleaning and validation and GIS data visualization.
- Experience developing and using maps, charts, and graphs to display data, using standard software such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau or PowerBi, or other software.
- Experience in IT training and user support.
- Fluency in French and English highly preferred.

Additional desirable skills and aptitudes:

- Strong knowledge and experience with web application frameworks and scripting languages (PHP, JavaScript).
- Excellent HTML/CSS and PHP programming skills (supported by certification)
- Strong skills in Java & JS scripting are an asset.
- Additional training in Linux server configuration, SQL database, Perl, Python, and other specified data management applications is a plus.
- Ability to communicate, negotiate, develop, and maintain strategic partnerships in research and data management.
- Ability to produce high-quality work while meeting multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Attention to detail.
- Good communication skills.
- Innovative, motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision.