Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the position of Common Data Model Manager based at MUBAS Head Office in the City of Blantyre. 

The Candidate

• We are looking for a candidate with excellent skills in data management and programming who has worked with different database designs. The candidate should have experience in writing programmes for data ETL (extraction, transform and loading) in a variety of languages. 
• Should have a MSc degree in an appropriate subject related to data programming and data development, or the equivalent experience from the development of data systems
• He/she should have at least 5 years’ experience with data management including expertise in different data models. 
• He/she should have sound knowledge of a programming language such as R (preferable), Python, Perl, JAVA, or equivalent, and in ETL transfers.
• Should be ready to get a Police Clearance Certificate before being offered the position.

Essential Skills

• Query, model and deploy with PostgreSQL
• Statistical programming (e.g., R)
• ETL with SQL and R/ Python
• Integration of products with external APIs
• Testing, logging, measuring, and alerting of deployed services
• Strong written and oral communication 
• Strong work ethic, excellent organization and meticulous attention to detail.

Duties

• Develop data specifications used by INSPIRE network for COVID-19 data. 
• Ensure the quality of the data provided by the Data Trackers for the data specs. 
• Develop on-ramps for putting the data into the OMOP CDM in consultation with the INSPIRE team at LSHTM.
• Implement the on-ramps using the data from the Data Trackers in Malawi and Kenya.
• Contribute to the formulation of requirements for data visualisation dashboards.
• Take part in training and workshops organised by INSPIRE (both physically and virtually). 
• Support the managing, training and mentoring of INSPIRE Data Trackers. 
• Prepare monthly progress reports on their work.
• Inform and take directions from the INSPIRE investigators to ensure continuity of data operations.
• Manage and document the common data model (CDM) to ensure the quality and provenance of the data in the CDM
• Attend meetings and workshops organised by INSPIRE, as required. These workshops may be around data management, upload, analysis, writing up and planning. 

Purpose  

• The role is part of the 7568-000-P: HARNESSING COVID-19 DATA USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Project that is run at MUBAS under the site Lead Dr. Amelia Taylor. The Project is part of the PEACH within the Implementation Network for Sharing Population Information from Research Entities (INSPIRE) (http://aphrc.org/inspire/). 
• The CDM Manager will be primarily responsible for defining data specifications needed for COVID-19 data and metadata including alternative data sources. The CDM Manager will work with the Data Trackers to ensure the data they find is prepared to these specifications and will develop AI search programs for finding data that can populate these data specifications.
• The CDM Manager would be involved in building “on-ramps” which transfer COVID-19 related data from agreed data specifications to the INSPIRE Common Data Model. The CDM manager would be expected to learn about the CDM using OMOP data. Training will be provided.

Development and training

On the job training will be provided by personnel with INSPIRE, both within the employing institution and from other institutions. The CDM Manager may attend meetings and workshops held by the designated studies he/she works on.  INSPIRE would seek funding for the CDM Manager to undertake PhD studies if an appropriate opportunity would become available.

Relationships

The post holder will report to the Project Lead or Project Members within the INSPIRE in MUBAS. S/he will work closely with Dr. Amelia Taylor at MUBAS  and Tathagata Bhattacharjee at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. S/he will have routine interactions with other INSPIRE partners affiliated with MEIRU, Lilongwe, Malawi and other partners within the network.

Start Date 

Not later than 1 August 2021

Pay

Will be competitive on a national scientific scale initially on a rolling monthly contract.  

Application

Send CV, cover letter and copies of certificates to talentsearch@poly.ac.mw with a copy to ataylor@poly.ac.mw by 16:00 hours, 4 June 2021.