Label STEP is a non-profit organization, working in Afghanistan for more than ten years, committed to the wellbeing of weavers and workers in the handmade carpet industry. Label STEP comprehensive fair trade standards encompass universal human rights, including the prohibition of child labor; decent living and working conditions; fair wages and eco-friendly production. One of the cardinal activities of Label STEP is creating awareness among the weavers and workers in the carpet industry. 

The Database Specialist will work under the direct supervision of Regional Program Coordinator and overall supervision of the Country Representative in Afghanistan, and be responsible for managing the online Weaver app databases developed for handmade carpet weavers and its supply chain. 

Duties & Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

• Database design, management, modification and transition
• Ensure regular functionality of the databases and coordinate with the IT team for any issues in the system.
• Support the development and scaling of the apps by gathering use cases and conveying to the app development team and testing and providing feedback.
• Identify erroneous data capture and give feedback to the team on the errors
• Coordinate with STEP team and partners - National and International.
• Provide technical assistance to the partner carpet producer companies on using the STEP Weaver App and do regular follow up.

Key results expected:

• Act as a first level user support for app-users in a timely and efficient manner.
• Develop and revise the guidelines/user manual of the databases.
• Monitoring database performance and optimize it for speed and efficiency.
• Investigate and resolve data discrepancies and continue updating the database.
• Coordinate with M&R team members, project teams, and core teams to share results and secure their agreement on the reports to be shared with the donor, STEP management and other partners.
• Conduct regular and routine data quality checks to ensure data are accurately recorded according to the database functionality.
• Backup the database regularly and perform recovery, if needed.
• Carry out any other relevant duties within the overall function as assigned by the line manager.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, and Management Information System. If the candidate does not hold a master’s degree, an additional 2 years of relevant experience is required with a bachelor degree.
• 4 years relevant experience preferably in an NGO or international organization
• Demonstrated skills in online database development.
• Excellent skills of data analysis of complex datasets.
• Problem-solving and good analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to see through tasks set and deliver results.
• Knowledge of database design and data modeling

More specifically, the candidate will be expected to possess the following technical skills:

• Proficient in PHP Frameworks: Demonstrated expertise in developing robust and scalable web applications using Laravel and CodeIgniter. This includes implementing best practices for security, performance optimization, and maintaining high coding quality through adherence to coding standards.
• Full Software Development Lifecycle: Extensive experience in managing the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC), encompassing requirements gathering, system design, development, testing, deployment, and post-launch support. Successfully led the development of two software products, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with user needs.
• SQL Query Development: Strong proficiency in SQL query development, including complex joins, subqueries, and stored procedures, to efficiently retrieve and manipulate data. Adept at optimizing queries to enhance application performance and reduce load times, contributing to a seamless user experience.
• Ad Hoc Report Generation: Skilled in generating ad hoc reports tailored to meet specific business requirements. Utilizes SQL queries to create dynamic reports and data visualizations, enabling stakeholders to gain actionable insights for informed decision-making.
• Front-End Development Skills: Proficient in front-end technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, to create responsive and user-friendly interfaces. Experience with front-end frameworks like Vue.js or Bootstrap, ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing user experience that integrates seamlessly with back-end functionality.
• Version Control and Collaboration: Proficient in using Git for version control, enabling effective collaboration within the development team.

Qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to apply and submit their Cover Letter and updated CV to the email address: hamayoon.rahimi@label-step.org with subject line IT/Database Specialist (LS-04-2024-DS-KBL) before 31 December 2024.