Associate Database Developer

Background

The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) has Cooperative Agreements with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Kenya (CDC-Kenya) to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and its partners for multiple HIV and STI Surveillance activities.

The primary function of this position is to support UCSF with its data needs by developing and maintaining databases, reports, queries, and other software to support its projects and programmes. The Associate Database Developer is expected to assist in the maintenance of existing databases to meet the needs for specific projects. Some projects will require the developer to import data form existing data sources into a UCSF-managed database, sometimes with data transformations. Therefore, an understanding of SQL is critical. Most projects will require the data to be disclosed via dashboards – often with some transformation or analysis of that data before it gets displayed. For example, data that originates from a single health facility may need to be aggregated into a district, provincial or national view on the dashboard. Visualizing data on dashboards will be a critical component of the developer’s deliverables. Additional software development needs may arise occasionally, such as the developing and maintaining data collection and reporting systems that are already in place. As an integral part of the UCSF Kenya Office, the Associate Database Developer will be expected to help in maintaining technical documents pertaining to the databases and train end users on how to use the data collection systems developed. The position requires a one-year commitment, with the potential for extension at the end of the period, subject to funding availability.

Roles and responsibilities:

Using Micrososft SQLServer, MySQL and PostgreSQL the incumbent will:

• Develop and implement ETL programs to load various databases on a continuous and ongoing basis into a master database for analysis
• Develop queries, views, indexed views and other database objects to facilitate querying, reporting, and analysis
• Design and develop dashboards, charts and reports using PowerBI and SSRS
• Manage and configure power BI and test new versions and releases of PowerBI
• Maintain data standards, including adherence to the Data Protection Act
• Write database documentation, including data standards, procedures and definitions for the data dictionary (metadata)
• Write training guides and system implementation technical documents
• Work closely with IT project managers and system developers
• Communicate regularly with technical, applications and operational staff to ensure database integrity and security
• Assist in the development of interfaces for interoperability to enable data syncing between databases
• Work with other members of the informatics team, in collaboration with the Senior Manager for Global Health Informatics in San Francisco
• Any other duties assigned related to this job description

Minimum Requirements:

• An appropriate degree in computer science, Information Technology or software engineering with an interest in database development or at least 2 years of demonstrable experience in database development
• Demonstrated experience in working with databases and SQL and developing database centric applications in one particular DMBS, either SQL Server or PostgreSQL including writing complex SQL queries
• Interest in business intelligence and using Power BI
• Certification in a popular DMBS is considered a major advantage
• Experience with one or more of the following domains are considered advantages:
  • (Bio)statistics
  • Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Epidemiology
  • HIV
  • Working in the health sector
  • Linux
  • GIT workflows

Additional Requirements:

• Must be willing to work occasionally during evening hours to participate in phone calls – such time may be compensated
• Some components of the job may be executed off-site, for example at a government entity
• The incumbent must be willing to liaise and collaborate with other staff, and train them in the design, development and maintenance of these databases and dashboards
• Willing to travel outside the office environment to remote areas of the country to training and implement systems developed.