Database Specialist at Creative Associates International

Program Description

• Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils.
• The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform.
• The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains.
• LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

Position Summary

• Support development and implementation of data collection and reporting system, including instruments, forms, procedures, guidelines, database, data quality assurance, etc.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure professional MERLA data management in-line with standards and related best practices.
• Liaise with MERLA, programs, communications, finance, procurement, and grants as needed to ensure data integrity and complete information in all grants management systems. Compile information in IDMS grants management systems.
• Conduct database analysis, identifying strengths and weakness of data quality and implementing/supervising implementation of procedures to improve data quality and reporting.
• Assist the MERLA Advisor to organize data collection schedules and verify data gathered.
• Compile reporting and perform associated analysis of data collected; ensure reports are submitted on time.
• Support the production of scheduled and ad hoc reports in coordination with other relevant departments and sectors as needed.
• Support responses to USAID information requests. Assist the MERLA Advisor to establish and maintain a filing system for both hard and soft copy MERLA reports and data.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Undergraduate Degree in Data Systems, Statistics, or related field preferred, Master’s Degree is required.
• At least four years’ experience relevant to this position required, at least two years developing and implementing database systems.
• At least one year of supervisory experience required if supervising staff.
• Previous experience with USAID-funded programs.
• Expertise in collecting and analyzing data for project monitoring.
• Advanced proficiency in written and spoken English required.

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Previous experience in similar role.
• Proven experience directly and indirectly supervising and managing staff and teams.
• Experience with a USAID-funded or other international organization implementing a program operating in insecure areas is desired.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Excellent record keeping, and documentation skills are required.