Manager - Enterprise Database Administration at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)

Job Summary

The jobholder shall be responsible for the management, maintenance, security and integrity of the Authority’s Information Technology databases.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage database performance and capacity through regular tuning, optimization, archiving and take remedial action where necessary.
• Manage and ensure back-up restoration procedures are conducted and implement maintenance plans, and ensure these are executed in accordance with stipulated policies.
• Identify servers for deployment of business applications and software installation procedures, and monitor server conditions and resolve any issues arising.
• Coordinate third-party updates to the tax system and resolve outages, disasters and other problems promptly.
• Facilitate initiatives to improve ethics, culture and facilitate change management in the unit and respond to requests in accordance with established procedure.
• Participate in the development of research proposals and ensure data confidentiality, availability and integrity.
• Ensure conformity to ISO (9001/2015 and 27001/2013) and data security requirements.
• Data Protection: Implementing encryption, access controls, and backup strategies.
• Audit & Monitoring: Setting up database auditing tools to track access and changes.
• Query Optimization: Improving SQL query performance and indexing strategies.
• Ensuring databases can handle growth (sharding, replication, clustering).
• Disaster Recovery: Implementing backup solutions and failover mechanisms.
• Data Governance: Defining policies for data quality, usage, and lifecycle management.
• Cost Management: Optimizing database infrastructure costs (licensing).
• Team Coordination: Leading DBAs, data engineers, and analysts.
• Vendor Management: Working with third-party providers (cloud services, software vendors).
• Troubleshooting, diagnosing and resolving database issues (deadlocks, corruption, and downtime).
• Balance technical depth with business acumen, ensuring databases support organizational goals securely and efficiently.
• Implement the following corporate initiatives in the Unit: Performance Management, Audit, Integrity, Quality Management Systems, and Risk Management.

Persons Specifications

For appointment to this role, one must have:-

• A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Technology, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications or its equivalent qualification from a recognized Institution
• A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Technology, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications or its equivalent qualification from a recognized Institution will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience, with at least two (2) years’ experience at first-level management leading a team in database administration.
• Membership of a relevant professional body will be an added advantage.
• Any two or more of the following: Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Experience in Postgres Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), Operating System (Linux variant or Windows), Governance: Control Objectives for Information Technologies (COBIT) or equivalent,
• Knowledge of System Application Product (SAP) HANA database will be an added advantage

Key Competencies

• Database Management Systems (DBMS): Proficiency in Structured Query Language (SQL) /NoSQL databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MongoDB).
• Emerging Trends Awareness:
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) & (Machine Learning (ML) Integration: Leveraging databases for machine learning pipelines.
  • Blockchain for Data Integrity: Exploring decentralized database solutions.
• Leadership and people management skills
• Technological ability and Good decision-making capabilities
• Resilient, focused, results-oriented, with expertise in risk management and analysis
• Excellent oral and written communication, good planning, presentation, analytical and organisational skills.