Senior Humanitarian Data Engineer, USAID Data Services

DevTech Systems, Inc. (DevTech) is an international consulting firm dedicated to development, with 39 years of experience providing advisory services and technical assistance to government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in more than 100 countries. DevTech core practice areas include: Monitoring Evaluation, Research and Learning; Data Solutions; Public Financial Management and Fiscal Sustainability; and Education, Gender, and Youth. 

At DevTech, we care deeply about doing work that leads to positive change in the world. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to an inclusive environment. We empower our employees to work autonomously and simultaneously give them the professional support that they need to learn and grow. 

DevTech is looking for a Senior Humanitarian Data Engineer to work as an institutional contractor on its Analytics, Data, Visualization, and Information Services 2.0 (ADVISE 2.0) contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). ADVISE 2.0 staff comprise much of the USAID Data Services team, led by USAID’s Chief Data Officer (CDO) and situated in USAID’s Bureau for Management, Office of the Chief Information Officer (M/CIO).  

The Senior Humanitarian Data Engineer will work with the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). Overall, this role is responsible for creating and maintaining a database that holds the data the team uses to build the data visualizations. This role will perform data architect and database administrator functions as an integral staff member in the humanitarian assistance data space. To succeed in this role, the candidate should know how to examine new data system requirements and implement migration models. The ideal candidate will also have proven experience in data analysis and management, with excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities. 

This position’s place of performance is Washington D.C. Remote work has been authorized for this position.     

About the Team  

USAID Data Services’ core values are:  

• We are passionate, ambitious and care deeply about our work and the USAID mission.  
• We are serious about meeting the needs of our customers.  
• We are funny. We have fun. And we are human.  
• We communicate and close feedback loops.  
• We are proactive. We do not wait for success to come find us.  
• We are a team who is committed to each other.  

In keeping with these core values, we respect and encourage an inclusive and diverse environment in which we see our differences as strengths. We are a team of motivated and responsible self-starters that enjoy working in a team-oriented environment. We are always looking for ways to grow, through feedback, learning, and collaboration.  

• Develop, optimize and oversee the team’s conceptual and logical data systems.  

• Perform in an administrative and technical role, and display both sound technical skills and administrative aptitude.  

• Develop extensive knowledge of the databases. 

• Be the first respondent to database problems that arise and carry out periodic maintenance and troubleshooting. 

• Design and implement effective database solutions and models to store and retrieve company data. 

• Assess database implementation procedures to ensure they comply with internal and external regulations. 

• Install and organize information systems to guarantee functionality. 

• Prepare accurate database design and architecture reports for management and executive teams. 

• Oversee the migration of data from legacy systems to new solutions. 

• Monitor the system performance by performing regular tests, troubleshooting, and integrating new features. 

• Recommend solutions to improve new and existing database systems. 

• Educate staff members through training and individual support. 

• Offer support by responding to system problems in a timely manner. 

• Monitor system performance and identify problems that arise. 

• Protect the database against threats or unauthorized access. 

• Ensure that the database is adequately backed up and able to be recovered in the event of memory loss. 

• Report on metrics regarding usage and performance. 

• Suggest changes and improvements for maintenance or protection. 

• Regularly liaise with IT project managers and database programmers. 

• Design databases with both front-end and back-end users in mind. 

• Maintain an awareness of trends and developments in database administration. 

General 

• As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided. 
• In compliance with USAID and contractor policies and procedures, consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind. 

• Actively participate in diversity and harassment training opportunities, brown bag sessions or focus group discussions, and workforce diversity initiatives/activities focused on helping to improve the organizational culture. 
• Demonstrate consistent accountability for adherence to and knowledge of laws, executive orders, and USAID’s policies which prohibit Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and non-EEO infringements as well as the Agency’s zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, including harassment, exploitation, and abuse of any kind. Understand reporting criteria and report up in a timely manner. 
• Ensure that conduct is not inappropriate or offensive to others by responsibly and intentionally creating a culture of civility and respect whereby both managers and employees are expected to behave professionally at all times. 
• Hold self and others accountable for adhering to a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any form, bullying or any other prohibited behaviors and report objectionable conduct. 
• Assists staff in understanding the value of differing perspectives, cultural norms, and gender in the work environment. 

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, computer engineering or relevant field. 
• A minimum of 11 years’ experience in a similar role. 
• Advanced certification as an MCDBA or MCSD for .NET is advantageous. 
• Proficiency in data manipulation languages, including MS SQL, Oracle Database, Hadoop or PostgreSQL. 
• Experience with Azure data bricks, data factory and data lake 
• Strong knowledge of database structure systems and data mining. 
• Analytic mindset and good problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Highly organized and responsible. 
• Confidence working under pressure. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work well in a diverse team. 

The candidate must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for the required U.S. government security clearance for this project. 

NOTE: This job posting should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the exclusive standards of the position nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor. 
 
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (40 and older), physical and mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history) or characteristics, military status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship or alienage, or any other protected status as established by applicable federal, state, or local law.