Data Systems Manager

Chemonics seeks a Data Systems Manager for the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Early Warning Team (EWT). This role will be based in Washington, D.C. FEWS NET is an integrated set of activities funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is intended to provide timely, accurate, evidence-based, and transparent food security early warning information and analysis.

Chemonics International (Chemonics) implements the FEWS NET EWT, a team charged with integrated emergency food security analysis through a Washington-based technical office and more than 20 field offices. Data management is a key component of FEWS NET’s work, given the range of data and information that EWT relies on to conduct its analysis. The EWT relies heavily on partners and stakeholders for secondary data, but also gathers select primary data in some countries as well. The EWT is required to manage this primary and secondary data from its presence and non-presence monitoring countries, as well as an increasing number of ad hoc countries of interest to USAID, thereby ensuring up-to-date data streams are available.

Responsibilities:

• Engage with other EWT technical sectors (M&T, Decision Support, Livelihoods, etc.) within the EWT to identify opportunities to enhance data management processes
• Build, maintain, and provide training on data analysis and visualization tools and platforms (Microsoft Excel refreshable workbooks, PowerBI dashboards, etc.) to improve data use across EWT staff
• Develop detailed guidance and trainings on new data visualization tools
• Provide support to all EWT staff on data analysis tools and platforms and FDW and FDE access. Develop and carry out training sessions on the use of FDW and FDE domains and associated tools, including new analysis and visualization tools
• Support ongoing initiatives developing data visualization tools on the FEWS NET website
• Work closely with EWT regional and project office colleagues to support ongoing API initiatives to automate data ingestion from secondary sources into the FDW
• Provide support and management of FDW metadata set-up and updates for the data domains for which the EWT is responsible
• Clean and process monthly datasets for eventual upload into the FDW and FEWS NET CKAN system
• Serve as a technical coordinator for the EWT regional data assistants, coordinating cross-team communication and building their capacity
• Support the EWT’s collaboration with the FEWS NET Hub on FDW and FDE related helpdesk tickets

Qualifications:

• Fluency in English required; French, Spanish, and/or Arabic language skills desirable
• Education and experience in a discipline relevant to the data management work of FEWS NET, such as computer science, data science or a related field
• At least two years of relevant experience (with PhD), four years of relevant experience (with Master’s degree), or six years of relevant experience (with Bachelor’s degree) is required
• Relevant experience includes managing large and complex datasets and relational databases and developing data visualizations using multiple data streams (static and dynamic)
• Ability to maintain database standards, guidelines, and procedures; process non-standard data; and balance multiple tasks with tight deadlines is required
• Proven experience in data manipulation and analysis software such as R, Python, PowerBi, or similar tool is required
• Demonstrated ability in handling and processing non-standardized data is required
• Excellent computer skills with an expert level in Microsoft Excel is required
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in person, by phone, and through email are required
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and adapt to changing environment
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity
• Detail-oriented, analytical thinker with the ability to identify and pro-actively solve problems.