Database Specialist

ABOUT RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE (RTI)

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years of experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, an independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

ABOUT SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio 

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya. 

ABOUT FIRST CONSULT 

First Consult is a leading economic development consulting firm implementing projects in Ethiopia. Founded in 2006, First Consult (FC) has grown to design and implement projects across the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams combine a capacity to execute with clarity of the local context. As a result, we have delivered at-scale real impact in terms of jobs & wealth creation, business formation & growth, and investment attraction & mobilization.

ABOUT THE PROJECT/PROGRAM 

The purpose of the USAID Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture is to increase access to healthy diets, particularly for women and children, by improving competitiveness, inclusiveness, and resilience of the Ethiopian food and agriculture system.  ETA will also increase incomes gained from agriculture by as much as 40 percent over the next five years. To achieve its goals ETA must collaborate intensively with other USAID-funded projects working in the food and agriculture sector.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Database Specialist, based at the head office in Addis Ababa, is part of an CLA/Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) team responsible for performance monitoring and evaluation activities. These activities necessarily include but are not limited to survey and sample design; routine and sample survey-based quantitative and qualitative data collection; data entry, cleaning, and management; data quality assessments; analysis and report writing, and internal evaluations of performance. In addition, the specialist compile or digitize (where applicable) geographic data from a variety of primary and secondary sources including censuses; field observation; satellite imagery; aerial photographs; and existing maps. The Database Specialist needs to ensure the validity and strengthen the quality and efficiency of Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture (FTFETA)’s database in accordance with required standards and USAID’s expectations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

In general, the Database Specialist is responsible to manage the Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture Tangerine and power BI linked database by identifying and solving database requirements; supporting users; and troubleshooting issues.

Specific Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage above 400,000 client profiles in Tangerine and Power bi, continuously working on the cleaning and management of data cleaning, and validation to maintain an accurate and current/latest database.

• Manage types of applications for Tangerine and Power Bi database (desktop, web-based, and mobile versions);

• Perform regular quality control checks on the data management system, including and not limited to review of routine data collection questionnaires; confirmation of data reported by partners, subcontractors, and grantees; identification of missing data from active client profiles; and communicating with regional CLA/ MEL Specialists to collect necessary information. 

• Support in installing Tangerine, designing Power BI reports, database security, data back-up, and recovery.

• Provide training and technical support to staff in the use of Tangerine and Power Bi or other software using desktop, tablets, or smartphones.

• Support database functions by designing and coding utilities.

• Design reports for internal use and translates data from Excel to other formats (SPSS, STATA, etc.) for analysis.

• Support survey and sampling design of baseline and performance surveys.

• Provide support in data entry and quality checks in SPSS, STATA, and other data analysis software.

• Compile or digitize (where applicable) geographic data from a variety of primary and secondary sources including censuses; field observation; satellite imagery; aerial photographs; and existing maps;

• Communicate with activity staff and other users to define data needs, available attribute and spatial data, project requirements, and required outputs.

• Advise the activity team on how best the information can be displayed using GIS tool given available data;

• Create different maps and graphs for activity intervention areas or specific locations for activity value chains;

• Use spatial analysis tools and available data to indicate the possibility of overlaps or integration of activity intervention with other donor programs and performs other analyses as necessary; 

• Enter new map data through use of a digitizer or by direct input of coordinate information using the principles of cartography including coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales;

• Operate and maintain GIS system hardware and software, plotter, digitizer, colour printer, and video camera;

• Provide training to staff on the use of GPS on smartphones/tablets to track spatial attribute data; 

• Contribute to performance monitoring and evaluation of the activity by maintaining high quality data, knowing how to extract requested information, and completing all tasks in a timely and efficient manner; and

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the MEL Manager.   

  REPORTING

• The Database Specialist reports directly to the MEL Manager and works in collaboration with the MEL/CLA Specialist.
  
   

REQUIRED SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE  

• MA or higher in computer science, economics, statistics, or other closely related fields from a recognized University/College  

• 5 years of experience with at least 3 years with USAID compliance and reporting requirements. 

• Experience with data collection platforms such as Kobo toolbox and ODK. 

• Proficient with statistical and data visualization software packages (STATA, SPSS and Power Bi) 

• Strong demonstrated skills in planning, MEL and programming adaptation, inclusion, and budgeting. 

• Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, operations research, data quality assessments, data analysis and presentation and setting up and managing MEL systems that track performance as per the objectives set forth; 

• In-depth familiarity with, understanding of, and ability to successfully navigate within the Ethiopian context preferred; 

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capacities – ability to identify issues with contractual implications, ensure consistent donor reporting and support teams in providing appropriate analyses of activities. 

• Good interpersonal skills and a good team player 

• Professional fluency in English (both spoken and written) and strong command of Amharic is required, additional local language is a plus; 

• Excellent computer skills; Good proficiency in Microsoft Office – significant experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. 

• Experience of using mapping software’s (QGIS, ArchGIS, …)

• This position is open to Ethiopian citizens. 

How To Apply

HOW TO APPLY

First Consult invites all well-qualified candidates to apply. Competent candidates should submit their one-page cover letter and updated CVs only to: jobs@firstconsultet.com before August 31, 2024. Candidates MUST refer to the position title "  Database Specialist" in the subject line of their email and applications