Data Manager / Programmer (M/F), FTC 12 months Based in Mbarara, Uganda

Company Description

Created by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 1986, Epicentre carries out field epidemiology, training and medical research in support of MSF's humanitarian objectives. We have 3 research centres in France, Niger and Uganda and epidemiologists on site. Our areas of expertise cover infectious diseases (malaria, TB, HIV, cholera, Ebola, etc.), neglected diseases (leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, etc.) and chronic diseases that are on the rise in African countries, such as diabetes and cancer.  

Job Description

Context:

The Uganda Research Centre conducts research on public health issues relevant to Africa, according to GCP (Good Clinical Practice) quality standards, in close collaboration with MSF, the Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and other health sector actors. Current projects, including clinical and vaccine trials, focus on tuberculosis, HIV, central nervous system infections and yellow fever. 

Mission and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Data Management, IT and Compliance Coordinator, the Data Manager–Programmer (DM Programmer) will work closely with the Data Management and Data Science teams, as well as study teams across Epicentre. The DM Programmer will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining clinical data management systems and tools that support research studies. The role will ensure the effective implementation of data collection processes and the delivery of high-quality, reliable data in compliance with ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and applicable regulatory requirements. This responsibility covers studies conducted at Epicentre’s research centres in Uganda and Niger, as well as decentralized and multi-country projects for which Epicentre oversees data management activities.

Main Activities

1. Programming and Automation

• Develop scripts and applications to automate:
  • Quality control procedures.
  • Data cleaning.
  • Generation of data validation queries.
  • Monitoring reports.
  • Visit scheduling.
  • Reconciliation processes.
• Build reusable software modules and institutional tools.
• Maintain source code repositories and development documentation.

2. Data Integration and Processing

• Develop import/export pipelines between:
  • Clinical data management platforms.
  • Laboratory systems.
  • Mobile data collection platforms.
  • Statistical software.
• Develop automated data exchange and reconciliation systems.
• Support database migration and data harmonization exercises.

3. Quality Control Systems

• Program automated data validation checks.
• Build dashboards for data quality monitoring.
• Develop tools for detecting missing, inconsistent, duplicate, or outlier data.
• Support implementation of risk-based and centralized monitoring approaches.

4. Clinical Database Development

• Design and build electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs).
• Configure and maintain REDCap, OpenClinica, ODK, CommCare, and other clinical data management platforms.
• Develop database structures, user roles, workflows, and audit controls.
• Implement study-specific validation and data quality checks.
• Participate in database testing and validation.

5. Reporting and Visualization

• Develop automated study reports and KPI dashboards.
• Create monitoring dashboards for investigators and study coordinators.
• Produce standardized data exports for statistical analysis.
• Support publication-ready datasets.

6. Infrastructure and Technical Support

• Support deployment and maintenance of study databases.
• Assist with server configuration, backup procedures, disaster recovery, and system performance monitoring.
• Troubleshoot technical issues affecting data management systems.
• Collaborate with IT personnel on secure hosting and system maintenance.

7. Compliance and Validation

• Develop and maintain system validation documentation.
• Ensure all developments comply with:
  • ICH-GCP (Good Clinical Practice).
  • GCDMP (Good Clinical Data Management Practices).
  • GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
  • Epicentre SOPs.
• Maintain change control and versioning processes.

8. Innovation and Digital Transformation

• Evaluate new technologies and platforms.
• Develop AI-ready and analytics-ready data pipelines.
• Support interoperability initiatives.
• Contribute to institutional tool development and DSI roadmap priorities.

Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Biostatistics, Health Informatics, or a related field.
• Additional training or specialization in Clinical Data Management, Biomedical Informatics, Clinical Research, or Digital Health would be an asset.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in software development, clinical data management, research informatics, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and maintaining data management systems supporting clinical, epidemiological, or public health research.
• Experience supporting clinical trials and/or epidemiological research projects.
• Experience developing and maintaining production-grade data systems in resource-limited settings is highly desirable.
• Previous experience with MSF or other humanitarian organizations would be an asset.

Knowledge and Competencies

Required

• Advanced REDCap configuration and REDCap API management.
• Strong proficiency in R and experience developing applications using Shiny.
• Version control using Git.
• Data validation, testing, and quality control methodologies.
• Good understanding of clinical research data structures and data management workflows.
• Good understanding of ICH-GCP (Good Clinical Practice) requirements.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Data Management Practices (GCDMP).
• Understanding of data protection and privacy regulations, including GDPR.
• Experience with computerized system validation, documentation, change control, and version management processes.

Desirable

• Experience with ODK/Kobo, CommCare, OpenClinica, iMediData, BAHMNI, GIS, DHIS2, Power BI, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Knowledge of SQL and relational database design.
• Experience developing dashboards and reporting tools.
• Experience working with REST APIs and system integrations.
• Linux administration and/or Docker experience.
• Knowledge of CDASH and SDTM standards.

Soft Skills and Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data quality.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Strong training, mentoring, and user support capabilities.
• Ability to work independently in decentralized and multi-country research environments.
• Flexibility and adaptability in complex and evolving operational contexts.

Languages

• English: minimum C1 level (written and spoken).
• French proficiency would be an asset.

Additional Information

Conditions

• Fixed-term contract (12 months), renewable.
• Position based in Mbarara, Uganda, with regular travel to Epicentre's research centre in Niger and other study sites.
• Expected start date: January 2027.
• Remuneration according to Level 12 of the Epicentre / MSF Field Salary Grid.

What You Will Get

• Work within a multicultural team in the field of epidemiology, public health, and clinical research.
• Contribute to innovative research projects conducted in collaboration with MSF and international partners.
• Develop expertise in clinical data management, research informatics, and digital health systems.
• Work in a dynamic humanitarian and research environment with a strong operational impact.
• Have your contributions and ideas recognized and valued.
• Participate actively in the development of institutional tools and digital transformation initiatives.
• Benefit from opportunities for professional growth and increasing responsibilities over time.

To apply

Please send your application (CV + cover letter) no later than 15/10/2026

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 

At Epicentre, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from candidates regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, beliefs, whether or not they have a disability, and all other diversity characteristics.

Epicentre pays very close attention to the protection of the personal data of its members, staff and people wanting to join the association. The data collected during your application will be processed in a fair and high-quality manner, only by the staff in charge of recruitment, wherever in the world they may be working for an MSF entity.

N.B.: Female candidates meeting the application criteria are strongly encouraged to apply.