Research Data Systems Intern

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Butaro, Rwanda

Description

Position Title: Research Data Systems Intern

Reports to: Data and Research Fellow

Group/Department: Centre for Population Health, University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)

Location: University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Butaro campus

Overview

The Centre for Population Health (CPH) at UGHE serves as a hub for field research, education, training, and community service to improve population health in Rwanda and beyond. Its flagship program, the Human Development and Demographic Surveillance System (HD2SS), established in rural Butaro in September 2025, functions as a primary field research platform for UGHE and external collaborators. The HD2SS generates longitudinal data on disease patterns and exposures, assesses the epidemiological and socio-demographic impacts of health conditions, and monitors trends in key human development indicators, among other outcomes.

Position Overview

The Research Data Systems Intern will support the Human Development and Demographic Surveillance System. The goal of this internship is twofold: to support the HD2SS team with ongoing data management and quality assurance tasks, and to develop the intern’s professional skills in data science, data collection, and public health research.

This position is ideal for an individual with programming skills and a strong motivation to gain hands-on skills with database development, programming, and quality assurance.

The intern will work closely with the research team, particularly the Butaro-based data management team. This full-time internship is expected to last between three and six months, with the possibility of transitioning to a full-time position depending on funding availability and performance.

Key Responsibilities

The intern’s exact responsibilities will be tailored to their skills and the team’s needs but will primarily focus on database management, creating code-based workflows, and generating reports.

Database management and programming:

• Support the development and maintenance of data extraction and transformation pipelines.

• Assist the data management team with routine database tasks, running reports, and developing code in response to research needs.

• Develop data quality reports and/or interactive dashboards to monitor data collection and share key results.

• Prepare clean, well-documented datasets to support research teammates’ reports, presentations, and publications.

Data quality assurance: 

• Develop and regularly run reports to assess data quality and identify errors.

• Conduct direct data quality assurance by observing field interviews in Kinyarwanda.

Reporting: 

• Generate data visualizations and tabulations to support research activities.

• Prepare PowerPoint slides, reports, and poster presentations.

Qualifications 

Requirements: 

• Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or statistics, or in a related field with a strong quantitative and programming focus.

Technical skills:

• Some prior experience with programming (ideally in Python, R, or SQL) and a willingness to gain additional programming skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive

• Basic knowledge of quantitative research methods, data collection, and data analysis.

• Commitment to data quality and confidentiality.

Professional skills: 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and follow through on tasks.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

• The position is open to Rwandan citizens only.

Desired (preferred) 

• Some prior experience with health-related data collection, management, and analysis.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Kinyarwanda.

• Experience with Git or other version control systems.

• A master’s degree in a related field such as computer science or statistics.

• Willingness to reside in the UGHE’s Butaro campus and travel to the HD2SS field sites in Butaro sector.