Data Engineer, Public Health Emergency Management

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a global health organization that partners locally and globally to create and scale solutions to the world’s deadliest health threats. Millions of people die from preventable health threats. We collaborate to close the gap between proven, life-saving solutions and the people who need them. Since 2017, we’ve worked with governments and other partners in more than 60 countries to save millions of lives. We work toward a future where people live longer, healthier lives, communities flourish, and economies thrive. This is an ambitious vision, and it inspires us and our partners to make progress every day. 

Resolve to Save Lives' Prevent Epidemics program works closely with Ministries of Health and national public health institutes in Africa to strengthen epidemic preparedness capacity, accelerate disease detection and response, and effectively use data to inform action. In addition to direct partnerships with governments, we also work with implementing partners, including the US CDC, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, to implement programs, prototype innovations, and ensure sustainability through increased national ownership, including domestic budget allocations.

Position Purpose

Effective public health emergency management relies on timely, high-quality data from diverse sources to identify, monitor, and manage threats. 

RTSL is seeking a Data Engineer, Public Health Emergency Management to join our team in Ethiopia. The Data Engineer will be crucial in designing and maintaining the data infrastructure that supports these systems, enhancing preparedness and response efforts. This role is vital to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s (EPHI) digitization of public health emergency management systems. Responsibilities include developing and managing data systems to ensure the integration and interoperability of DHIS2 with other systems, both internally and externally. 

Length of Engagement: This is a fixed-term appointment through August 31, 2026.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

API Development & Integration: 

• Develop an interface or gateway to integrate systems (e.g., DHIS2 and ePHEM built on the Odoo platform) using their APIs. 
• Design, develop, and manage scalable data pipelines and storage systems to support DHIS2, ePHEM EIOS, and other surveillance tools. 
•  Ensure the integration of data from real-time and event-based surveillance sources. 
• Ensures that public health information systems, DHIS2 and other systems are interoperable with other relevant information systems 
• Develops solutions that ensure confidentiality, security, and integrity while maximizing availability of information for public health

Database Management & Maintenance: 

• Run queries in PostgreSQL to extract statistical information on both metadata and data, performing quality assessments as needed. 
• Manage the configuration, backup, and regular maintenance of DHIS2 databases to ensure reliable system access. 
• Monitor and maintain the integrity of the program’s databases, ensuring optimal performance and security. 

Product development and management: 

• Collaborate with EPHI stakeholders and users to identify challenging user workflows, design potential solutions, and create development roadmaps 
• Develop and/or adapt solutions with efficient and elegant code based on user requirements 

System Upgrades & Feature Enhancements: 

• Stay updated on new DHIS2 versions, make necessary recommendations for improvements, and ensure secure and safe system upgrades. 
• Provide innovative solutions to address any additional features not supported by the DHIS2 system. 
• Provide technical support for deploying customized technologies to enhance early warning systems, utilizing a mobile-based, user-centered approach. 

Documentation & Technical Support: 

• Write technical procedures and documentation for applications, including operating procedures, user guides, and other relevant materials. 
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for DHIS2 and associated applications. 
• Generate periodic reports summarizing system performance and data outputs. 

Data Quality & Analysis: 

• Conduct metadata and data quality assessments, ensuring the accuracy, security, and reliability of the information managed within DHIS2. 
• Implement data validation, cleaning, and quality assurance processes to ensure data accuracy and reliability. 
• Establish and enforce data security protocols to protect sensitive public health information. 

Capacity Building and Support 

• Provide training and technical support to national and sub national teams on the effective use of data systems and tools like DHIS2 and EIOS. 
• Develop user guides and documentation for data systems. 

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Health Informatics Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems Technology, or a related field. A postgraduate degree is desirable.  

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in data management and analysis supporting decision-making in an organization. 
• Proven experience in developing, upgrading, and repairing DHIS2 modules. 
• Experience in web-based and/or mobile application development, including proficiency in JavaScript and/or Python. 
• Experience with Unix/Linux system management. 
• Demonstrated experience in collecting and/or managing public health data on a national level. 
• Knowledge of public health data standards and protocols. 
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills. 

Skills & Abilities

• Advanced data management and analysis skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PostgreSQL. 
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. 
• Ability to work independently and within a small team, taking ownership of tasks and making significant impacts. 
• Excellent communication skills, with proficiency in both written and spoken English, including the ability to write reports and correspondence. 
• A good understanding of public health, data compilation, management, and analysis. 
• Understanding of public health informatics and the importance of data in supporting health emergency management. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience conducting data analysis and visualization in R 

Compensation and Benefits 

Resolve to Save Lives prides itself on cultivating a supportive, connected remote team doing work that matters. We do everything possible to ensure our employees are connected and set up for success.

The salary for this role is competitive and set according to national labor rates for the international NGO sector in Ethiopia. The exact offer will be determined by various factors, such as the candidate's skills and experience relative to the requirements of the role.

In addition to a competitive salary, Resolve to Save Lives provides a generous package of benefits, including: 

• Health insurance for you and your dependents 
• Contributions toward retirement  
• Paid annual leave and sick leave, in addition to public holidays 
• Two paid, week-long organization-wide breaks at mid-year and end-of-year  
• Professional development and home office setup benefits 
• Up-to-date computer equipment 

RTSL believes its programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, organ donor status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable US EEO laws.