Data Manager

Department
Population Health

Entity
Aga Khan University

Location
Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access.

The Department of Population Health (DPH) at AKU is implementing the Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK)—a large, multi-site, population-based cohort study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Aging (NIA). LOSHAK forms part of a global network of ageing studies and is designed to generate high-quality longitudinal evidence to inform policy and practice in Kenya and internationally.

Job Summary

The Department of Population Health (DPH) at the Aga Khan University (AKU), Medical College East Africa, is a multidisciplinary academic and research unit engaged in teaching, research, policy engagement, and community service across Kenya and the wider region. In support of this mandate, AKU seeks to appoint a Data Manager to ensure the availability of high-quality, secure, and timely data across multiple research programmes and projects, including multi-site studies. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of department-wide data management systems.

• Develop and manage electronic data capture platforms (e.g. REDCap) and SQL-based databases.

• Establish and maintain secure cloud-based data infrastructure using platforms such as Apache, Microsoft Azure, and AWS.

• Develop and implement data management SOPs covering the full data lifecycle.

• Implement data quality assurance frameworks, routine audits, and reporting.

• Support data availability and analytics by preparing analysis-ready datasets.

• Provide training, mentoring, and technical support to research and data teams.

• Ensure data security, governance, and compliance with ethical and regulatory requirements.

• Coordinate internal and external data governance, reporting, and secure data sharing.

Requirements & Experience

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Medical Informatics, or a related field, with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.

• Formal training and experience in REDCap, SQL-based databases, and cloud platforms (Azure, AWS).

• At least five (5) years of progressive experience in data management, preferably in health or population research.

• Demonstrated experience in database development, data quality assurance, data security, and regulatory compliance.

• Experience supporting multi-site or multi-project research programmes is highly desirable.

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and integrity.

• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

• Ability to work independently while managing competing priorities.