Research Associate – Data and Information Systems Management at International Potato Center
International Potato Center
- Kenya
- Permanent
- Full-time
- The data and IT specialist will be part of the data management team overseeing RTB breeding and seed data management systems.
- Understand existing tools used for data capture and assist in the developing modules that extend the scope for the current tools.
- Respond to ICT support requests from CIP breeders and partners in a timely manner through WhatsApp/telegram/telephone/field visits.
- Contribute to writing standard operating procedures for RTB breeding data management.
- Lead capacity building efforts among project collaborators and partners in data collection, storage and management. Act as lecturer in these trainings.
- Implement and monitor Quality Assurance (QA) protocols and routines, including safe and remote back-up of database systems and tools.
- Contribute to development and management of germplasm data management systems for RTB invitro and invivo germplasm collections at KEPHIS, Mugaga, Kenya.
- Designing (in collaboration with subject area specialists) and implementing comprehensive, gender-aware, monitoring and evaluation systems to assure that quality data (both quantitative and qualitative) are collected, entered, and stored for project use and documented for eventual public use.
- Contribute to development of additional dashboards to enable routine monitoring of social science data coming from the field.
- Support other information management activities at CIP.
- Keep up to date with the latest tools and resources, including open-source software, for the collection, management, storage and sharing of data and information.
- Maintain the confidentiality of all information collected.
- Perform any other activity as assigned to by the supervisor.
- Supervise a junior data management staff member.
- Be committed to using research for development in a complex cooperative environment of research and development partners. The work will require travel within Sub Saharan Africa.
- MA/MSc degree in Information Systems, Database Management, Computer Science, or related discipline.
- At least six years research experience in the design and implementation of data management systems.
- Experience working with integrated database systems preferably for research projects, including large-scale socioeconomic and/or biological surveys e.g., MySQL or MS SQL Server.
- Knowledge and experience of mobile data collection systems.
- Knowledge and experience of Linux operating systems.
- Knowledge and experience in cloud services administration (like AWS or Linode).
- Experience with database design, database management and computer programming, and with the application of quality assurance standards and procedures.
- Understanding and experience of working in applied agricultural research preferred.
- Experience in software and web application programming. Knowledge of PHP scripting language and development in WordPress preferred.
- Good judgement, adaptability, and willingness to take initiative when appropriate.
- Demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships in research or project implementation.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and good personal organization skills.
- Advanced written and oral communication skills in English.
Jobs in Kenya