Background
The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) Activity is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. The continent-wide program is USAID’s flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative and will expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States.
Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.
Position Description
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) system development are critical components of ATI project implementation. There is a need for the development and maintenance of a well-designed MEL information management system. Currently, ATI uses a combination of excel and a legacy database (from a predecessor project) to capture and monitor project indicator data and progress. The current MEL data management system does not allow effective data mining, and analysis to inform proactive decision-making. Ultimately technical staff are diverting time to scrutinizing data instead of focusing on more analysis and project support activities.
The improved database / MEL data management system must fit ATI’s context, needs and purposes. ATI project operates at different levels (regional, national, site, and company and individual levels), and involves a wide range of stakeholders. Several different data collection methods are used to gather data for Feed the Future and custom indicators. These entities utilize a range of tools for collecting data including various forms required for reporting on different activities or interventions.
In addition to the company/individual-level data, the program generates and collects survey data and qualitative indicator data that must also be accommodated.
Responsibilities
The Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Database Architect will provide database development services for the ATI MEL system. S/he is expected to assess the existing database rolled onto ATI but designed for a predecessor project and contribute to a determination whether to make improvements based on the existing indicators, re-design the system, or select a new solution that can be adapted for ATI’s use. The database should have abilities to receive data from ATI staff, Grantees and Subcontractors.
The Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Database Architect is expected to improve or rebuild the existing database or implement a new Trade and Investment ATI Database Solution (likely on the DAI server environment) which will be used to collate and aggregate ATI performance monitoring data.
The work process for delivering the solution will incorporate the following steps:
· Assess the current situation and recommend whether to improve or start from scratch.
· Work with MEL and ATI leadership to select new platform, if required
· Design and develop web application.
· Install and configure the database management system (or improve the configuration already made).
· Set up and configure Report Development Environment based on additional indicators.
· Implement solution.
· Test the implementation.
· Train the users; Develop resources/manuals for easy reference.
· Support quarterly and annual reporting.
Application Implementation and Configuration
Configure the web application and prepare it for use on the DAI server, given the correct parameters (Server names, and HTTP / HTTPS ports) from the DAI IT Administration. The MEL Database Architect will create profiles for all system users on the web interface and assign them to their respective security groups which define separate user roles as decided by ATI. The MEL Database Architect will then prepare the Excel Import utility for use on the DAI Environment. The consultant will set up selected users for access to the utility, in order to restrict access to the utility to admin users only. Email alerts will be sent to relevant users when data is captured and requires approval.
Database Preparation and Configuration
The MEL Database Architect will import all historical data from the existing ATI excel spreadsheets and other legacy sources. S/He will create and maintain data models to ensure efficient representation and alignment of information, while optimizing data models for performance and scalability. S/He will verify that all data is linked correctly, and that there are no orphaned database relationships between data from the various database tables. Multiple activities to test data imported include generating reports and comparing them against historically reported data. The MEL Database Architect will then work with ATI MEL team to design key user dashboard and report needs by identifying ‘top 5’ priority indicators for each reporting area.
Following this, the MEL Database Architect will create and configure background database users, logins, and access permissions. These will be used at a system level by the Web Application, the Excel Import utility, and the MEL specialists.
Set up and Configure SQL Server Reporting Services
The MEL Database Architect will configure validation and approval levels for data to be captured. A process will be put in place (e.g. email alerts) for approval of the data captured. S/He will configure the database to be accessible via a Web Interface and also ensure compatibility of the web interface with mobile/tablet use. This configuration enables the Report Server and Report Manager to be ready to manage reports, data sources, data sets, and security, among other administrative functions. The MEL Database Architect will create and configure a workspace for all reports, then upload and configure each and every report to be accessible via the Web Interface. S/He will create data sources, and data sets and configure them for use with the uploaded reports. Data sets are created at various reporting levels (e.g. country level, partner level, individual level). The data sets have been created and there is a need to refine them going forward after the utilization.
The MEL Database Architect will then configure security for the reports in order to restrict their access only to authorized admin users. S/He will then assign users to Report Manager roles and give them different levels of access to the reports.
Testing
After the application, and database are implemented and configured, the MEL Database Architect will test the web application to ensure that it is fully implemented and is working as expected. The MEL Database Architect will undertake extensive testing on the overall solution including the reports and excel Import utility to ensure that they are working as expected. Testing can include the use of Test Cases that users will make use of in training, using dummy data with guidance from the MEL Database Architect. The MEL Database Architect will ensure that the system covers the specified system functionality, including putting a process in place to report, manage, and resolve database-related queries.
Database integrations through API connections
Develop and implement strategies to seamlessly integrate the ATI MEL database with 3rd party solutions and platforms such as Salesforce, etc. S/He will build and maintain API connections to facilitate smooth data exchange between the database and external systems, while working closely with stakeholder development teams to implement and enhance API integrations. S/He will also provide technical support and guidance to end-users regarding database integration, including maintaining up-to-date documentation for all integration workflows.
Data security and compliance
The MEL Database Architect will implement robust security measures to safeguard project data integrity including (but not limited to) establishing access controls, encryption protocols, and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access or data breaches. S/He will ensure compliance with data protection regulations and compliance standards (as it relates to PII and/or other sensitive data) during all aspects of database configuration and integration.
Training, development of manuals, and launching.
The MEL Database Architect will develop manuals (see below) and deliver training to the project team. Following this the MEL Database Architect will launch the database live instance.
· User Manual- The MEL Database Architect will produce a User Manual, which will consist of instructions on how to add application-level permissions and create ability for end users to create customised reports as well as general troubleshooting.
· Administrator Manual – The MEL Database Architect will develop a set of user manuals for the systems administrator. The manuals will be covering software installation on a server, the configuration of the databases, creating user accounts and permissions on the system to maintenance of the application on the server as well as in depth troubleshooting.
Activity-Output report out- with indicator alignment.
· Support monthly review of all high priority indicator data for feedback to team and use in data summary reports.
· Support quarterly reporting and ad ho reporting as needed.
Optimizing use
· Recommend improvement in data collection, management, and security protocols.
· Identify opportunities for better systems integration across the project. Respond to ongoing capacity building needs of project staff.
Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information systems with 9 or more years of experience.
· The MEL Database Architect should have experience in database development and ability to troubleshoot and resolve database issues promptly.
· S/He should have the ability to adapt to evolving technologies and project requirements.
· S/He should have a solid understanding of database management systems (DBMS) and database design principles.
· Proficiency in SQL and database programming languages are a requirement for the role, including having experience with relational database management systems (RDBMS) such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle, etc.
· Relevant certifications in database development or administration are a plus.
· Prior knowledge of USAID databases is an advantage.
Reporting
The Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Database Architect reports to the MEL Senior Data Quality Manager with close collaboration with other ATI personnel.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill out the required information, and upload CV. Please indicate what location you are applying for. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted soon. Please note, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill-up positions, only shortlisted applicants will receive notification on next steps.
Interested candidates should submit their application no later than April 2, 2024.
