Martin Leon
Database and Data Specialist
Westlands
Summary
Dedicated and results-oriented Database and Data Specialist with a proven track record in creating robust databases and adeptly managing agricultural data within the USAID framework. Experienced in designing and implementing databases to efficiently store and retrieve information related to agriculture, value chains, and enterprises. Proficient in analyzing survey and monitoring data, extracting key indicators, and transforming raw data into actionable insights for critical reporting purposes.
Specialized expertise in utilizing advanced tools such as Power BI and Excel to conduct in-depth analysis, generate visualizations, and present comprehensive reports. Possess a keen understanding of the intricacies of agricultural data, enabling the identification of trends, patterns, and opportunities.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Database and Analytics Specialist
RTI International (USAID's Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity)
03.2022 - 11.2023
- Exemplary Technical Support and Management: Provided indispensable technical support to over 70 clients' Data Officers, resulting in seamless and timely decentralized data submission. Spearheaded supervision and mentorship of Data Management and MEL Assistants, facilitating successful data collection and validation.
- Distinguished Data Analysis and Visualization: Applied advanced data analysis techniques using R and Power Query in Excel, resulting in actionable project insights. Crafted compelling dashboards in R (ShinyApps) and Microsoft PowerBI, empowering project leadership with real-time, visually intuitive performance tracking.
- Automated Data Consistency Checks: Developed and deployed automated consistency monitoring algorithms for agricultural big data streams, ensuring accuracy and reliability of project data.
- Proactive System Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Monitored and maintained system performance, proactively troubleshooting issues to guarantee continuous data submission with minimal disruptions.
- I successfully participated in development of comprehensive data quality assessment guides and protocols. These frameworks established standardized criteria, streamlined assessment processes, and integrated automated checks, ensuring consistent, accurate, and reliable data throughout its lifecycle.
Key Achievements:
Successfully deployed MEL Database and Results Tracking System, achieving a milestone by efficiently capturing data for over 150,000 beneficiaries within a span of nine months.
Innovated embedded dashboard for tracking indicator performance, significantly improving real-time monitoring capabilities and supporting data-driven decision-making.
Engineered data pulling code using Restful APIs, streamlining extraction of data from cloud-hosted database, thereby optimizing data retrieval processes.
Conducted impactful training sessions for MEL Coordinators, empowering them with advanced skills in R for data cleaning and management.
Standardized Outcome Survey Data Collection Tools, reducing GIS map development time by half through creation of standardized QGIS map templates.
Collaborated with Software Engineer to configure ODK Aggregate on AWS, ensuring a robust data collection and management system that adheres to the highest standards.
Assistant Data Manager
International Potato Centre (CIP)
01.2018 - 12.2021
- Automated Data Cleaning Code: Successfully developed and implemented automated Stata scripts for data cleaning and management, streamlining and enhancing accuracy of data processing workflows.
- Innovative Data Capturing Tool: Designed and deployed a sophisticated data capturing tool using Visual Basic for Applications in MS Excel, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy in data entry processes.
- Expertise in Training Development: Developed comprehensive training tools for working with Regular Expressions in Stata, contributing to skill enhancement of data management team and ensuring consistent data quality.
- Spatial Analysis Proficiency: Provided crucial support for spatial analysis in QGIS, enhancing depth and insights derived from geospatial data.
- Country and Regional Trackers Development: Successfully designed and maintained country and regional trackers in Google Sheets, supporting field data collection and management activities, ensuring streamlined and efficient processes.
- System and Protocol Design: Led the design and maintenance of systems and protocols for data collection and management teams, ensuring standardized and efficient workflows.
- Guidance and Training Leadership: Provided guidance and training leadership to the data management team, ensuring staff members met personal targets and were well-equipped with data collection, analysis, and manipulation skills.
- Internal Verification Processes: Facilitated and supported internal verification processes, including phone verification, spot-checks, and validation of data, ensuring compliance, eligibility, and quality of project data reports.
- Survey Participation and Programming: Actively participated in surveys, programmed data collection kits, and maintained updated data records, contributing to the integrity and accuracy of project reports.
- Adaptability and Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in navigating MS Office suites, research, and analysis tools, showcasing adaptability to new technologies and ensuring a seamless integration of various tools for effective data management.
Data Analyst Intern
International Potato Centre (CIP)
09.2016 - 12.2017
- Platform Setup and Management: Successfully set up ODK Aggregate, FormHub, and KoBoToolbox platforms for various projects' data collection and management, ensuring seamless and efficient workflows.
- Standardized Dashboard Development: Spearheaded development of a standardized dashboard in Power BI for tracking project performance. This streamlined reporting processes, providing project stakeholders with real-time and actionable insights.
- GIS Mapping and Spatial Analysis: Produced GIS maps and conducted required spatial analyses in R and QGIS, enhancing project activities by visualizing geographical data and patterns.
- Comprehensive Data Management Training: Provided training to projects' teams in data management analytics, equipping them with necessary skills to handle and analyze data effectively.
- Protocols and Guides Development: Developed data quality assessment guides, data collection manuals, systems and protocols, and data cleaning guides, establishing standardized processes for enhanced data integrity.
- Leadership and Mentorship: Successfully managed and mentored junior data analysts and data interns, ensuring their professional growth and fostering a collaborative and efficient working environment.
Education
Bachelor of Computer Science - Computer Science
Kisii University, Kenya
Kenya 01.2012 - 05.2015
Skills
Database Management: PostgreSQL, ODK, FormHub, KoBoToolbox, CSPRO
Programming Languages: R, Python, VBA
Data Analysis and Visualization: R (ShinyApps), Python (Power BI), Excel (Power Query, Power Pivot), Stata
GIS and Spatial Analysis: QGIS, R, GIS Mapping
Dashboard Development: Power BI, ShinyApps
Data Collection Tools: ODK, FormHub, KoBoToolbox, CSPRO
Data Quality Management: Automated checks, cleaning, validation
Organisational Managerial Skills
Led the automation of data cleansing and management scripts in Stata at International Potato Center. I also developed training manuals for advanced regular expressions for data cleansing in Stata. This reduced the time required for data cleansing and management by half. Training MERL team on the use of advanced MS Excel for data cleansing, transformation and visualizations. This made the regional MERL coordinators independent in terms of analyses. Supervising database assistant and MERL Assistant to ensure timely delivery and professional growth.
Communication Skills
Excellent communication skills gained through working at International Potato Center and as Database and Analytics Specialist at RTI International.
Job Related Skills
Data Analytics Trainer: Developed excellent expertise in data analytics training using advanced MS Excel, R and Open Data Kit.
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 04/19/1993
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Kenyan
References
- Walter Kibet, Research Officer, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), w.kibet@cgiar.org, +254(0)725094462
- Diana Koome, Revenue Officer, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Dianekathambi@gmail.com, +254(0)702759307
- Dennis Kinambuga, Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, Research Triangle Institute (RTI), dekinambuga@gmail.com, +254(0)722521847
Timeline
Database and Analytics Specialist
RTI International (USAID's Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity)
03.2022 - 11.2023
Assistant Data Manager
International Potato Centre (CIP)
01.2018 - 12.2021
Data Analyst Intern
International Potato Centre (CIP)
09.2016 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Computer Science - Computer Science
Kisii University, Kenya
01.2012 - 05.2015