Ohio State Global one Health Initiative

Position: Information Technology Specialist

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Posted date: 18 minutes ago

Application Deadline: Aug, 16/2021 (7 days left)

Scope 

The purpose of the position is to improve the quality and efficiency of data management at laboratories that conduct testing for priority diseases using the sustainable approach with appropriate information and communications technology. The function of the IT Specialist is to 1) provide IT technical assistance, support and expertise for the implementation, administration, supportive development and deployment, of efforts to support system integration and data exchange between laboratory data system and surveillance, and 2) support database, data analysis and visualization development of a central laboratory data management system for infectious disease laboratory results. The IT specialist will be a mid-level member of a small APHL Ethiopia Team that receives program management from the APHL Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland USA. The IT Technical Specialist will closely coordinate and work with the APHL Ethiopia Team lead, APHL Laboratory Informatics Manager, and Laboratory, Surveillance, and LIS project management teams and IT personnel at CDC, EPHI and MOH Surveillance Program. The staff member will need to be able to work independently while at the same time coordinating and cooperating with multiple stakeholders and sites. 

Responsibilities

• Under the guidance and supervision of the Ethiopia Team Lead and APHL Laboratory Informatics Manager, the staff member will be tasked with the following duties: 
• Provide technical support and technical advice for data integration and data exchange in laboratories testing for priority diseases.
• Support development, management, and deployment of database and associated analytical and visualization software for central laboratory data management of select infectious diseases.
• Liaise with Software developers/providers to support and troubleshoot any data integration problems and document resolutions
• Maintain and administer Web Server and middleware tools used to develop web database systems and frameworks.
• Supervise, administer and manage database system projects, such as Microsoft SQL Server, and other database management systems and evaluate database server integrity and security.
• Assess the viability of electronic specimen referral systems to support the laboratory network for priority diseases in Ethiopia
• Develop requirements for data integration/data exchange, electronic specimen referral, assist in deployment, training, deployment of software and computer and network hardware.
• Assist in requirements, design and development of site-specific patient, logbook and summary reports using report software,
• Create and maintain a high-level reporting system using products such as Crystal Reports
• Provide technical support for projects promoting interoperability of systems, including data exchange between laboratory data systems and a central laboratory data management system.
• Support, monitor and lead efforts to implement barcode printer system utilized for specimen identification and referral of specimens.
• Undertake other related and assigned duties as required.

Skills

Essential:

• Proficiency in software programming and framework technologies
• Proficiency in using and configuring/programming open-source and commercial database technologies including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft, Linux and Unix-like operating system environments
• Sound knowledge in the use of other programming technologies/languages including .NET and PHP
• Knowledge of data exchange protocols/standards such as FIHR

Desirable:

• Sound knowledge and experience in the assessment, planning, development and implementation of e-Health and health information system solutions.
• Knowledge and skills in the use of enterprise architecture and implementation of standards (i.e., HL7, SDMX-HD, CDA, or commercial standards).
• Proficiency in designing and producing reports using crystal reports, or Java technology (e.g. Jasper Reports)
• Proficient in such as data visualization and data analysis software, such as Tableau, Power BI or Spotfire or open-source products.

Qualifications

• BSc Degree in Computer Science, Information Science or other fields with equivalent experience
• Minimum 3 years of experience in computer programming and software development
• Experience in working with end-users/customers for identification of software requirements
• Experience in provision of training on using software applications
• 2+ years experience in using and configuring/programming open-source and commercial database technologies including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle
• 1+ years of experience using data analysis and visualization software, such as Tableau, Spotfire or similar applications

Language Proficiency: 

• Ability to communicate in written and oral English and Bahasa required
• Preferred Knowledge
• Experience in the laboratory domain and healthcare environment
• General back end coding (such as Python, Ruby, Mode js, C++, Microsoft tools such as C#, .NET framework)
• 1+ years of experience with data-driven design, analysis and presenting data models, visualizations
• Git and Github, PHP, Graphic design, user experience design
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Redmine, version control tools such as Subversion, and agile development is a plus.

How to apply

Interested applicants should send their letter of application and CV within 5 working days of the vacancy announcement through kebede.24@osu.edu

Note: Use "Information Technology Specialist" as the subject line of your email. Applications (together with CV) should be sent as one pdf file on one email message. Multiple emails might be rejected.