CKAN Admin

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented CKAN Administrator to manage and maintain our CKAN instance. As a CKAN Admin, you will be responsible for installing, configuring, and optimizing CKAN (Comprehensive Knowledge Archive Network) for data management and open data portal operations. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing CKAN-based platforms, performing system upgrades, troubleshooting, and ensuring a seamless experience for data users and administrators.

Responsibility

•     CKAN Installation & Configuration:
• Install, configure, and manage CKAN instances on servers, ensuring smooth operation and performance.
• Set up CKAN’s web-based interface and configure its features (e.g., datasets, organizations, groups, and users).
• Integrate CKAN with other tools and systems (e.g., APIs, metadata management systems).
• • System Maintenance & Upgrades:
• Perform regular system upgrades, including updating CKAN, extensions, and server components to ensure the platform remains secure and optimized.
• Manage CKAN plugins, ensuring compatibility with core CKAN functionality and proper installation and configuration of extensions (e.g., Solr, Elasticsearch, etc.).
• Backup and restore CKAN’s configurations and datasets regularly.
• • Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting:
• Monitor CKAN’s performance, conducting performance tuning, troubleshooting issues, and identifying bottlenecks in the system.
• Analyze and resolve errors, bugs, or performance issues in the CKAN system.
• Use log files and debugging tools to resolve system errors and ensure the platform is available and responsive.
• • Data Management:
• Ensure smooth data import/export processes, assisting in the upload of datasets and metadata.
• Configure data storage backends (e.g., databases, cloud storage) to ensure effective data management and accessibility.
• Work closely with data owners to ensure proper metadata tagging, data validation, and metadata compliance.
• • User and Access Management:
• Manage user roles and permissions, ensuring appropriate access levels for administrators, data providers, and users.
• Provide user support for CKAN-related issues and help users with dataset uploads, data queries, and other tasks.
• Implement authentication mechanisms such as LDAP, OAuth, or SSO to streamline user management.
• • Security Management:
• Implement security protocols to protect sensitive data and ensure secure access to the CKAN platform.
• Regularly update security patches and ensure compliance with security best practices.
• Monitor and manage firewalls, network settings, and database access to prevent unauthorized access.
• • Documentation and Training:
• Document CKAN configuration, workflows, and troubleshooting guides to facilitate knowledge sharing and ensure system continuity.
• Create user guides and training materials for end users on how to interact with CKAN (e.g., upload datasets, search data, etc.).
• Provide internal training sessions and support to staff on the effective use of CKAN.
• • Collaboration:
• Work closely with other teams (e.g., data scientists, developers, IT support) to ensure CKAN is aligned with organizational needs and technical infrastructure.
• Collaborate with the development team to implement new features, plugins, or integrations based on user feedback or emerging requirements.

Minimum experience:

§ Proven experience as a Fullstack Developer, System Administrator, or similar role.

§ Proficiency in front-end technologies (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript frameworks) and back-end languages (Node.js, Python, Java, etc.).

§ Strong experience with database management and optimization (MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL).

§ Hands-on experience with server administration (Linux/Unix environments, cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, GCP).

§ Familiarity with DevOps tools and practices (CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes).

§ Knowledge of security best practices (SSL, data encryption, firewalls, etc.).

§ Strong problem-solving and debugging skills.

§ Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (preferred).

Experience:

6+ years of experience as a CKAN Administrator or in a similar role managing data management platforms.

Proven experience with Linux/Unix-based server administration, particularly in a web-based data management context.

Technical Skills:

Hands-on experience with CKAN (installation, configuration, and administration).

Strong proficiency in Python and experience with CKAN-related Python packages.

Experience with web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and front-end frameworks (e.g., Bootstrap).

Familiarity with Solr, Elasticsearch, and other data indexing/search solutions integrated with CKAN.

Experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) and object storage systems.

Familiarity with Docker and containerized environments for deployment.

Minimum education:

·       Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Knowledge and skills:

·       Knowledge of DevOps practices and tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab, etc.).

·       Experience with geospatial data management or platforms like GeoServer.

·       Familiarity with Open Data Standards and data quality frameworks.

·      Experience with cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) and deployment automation.

Competencies:

Please provide the level of competency as per the grade: Level 1 for grades 12-13, Level 2 for grades 14-15,

level 3 for grades 16-16a, level 4 for grades 17-17a

State competency levels from the competencies framework.

·       Think strategically (Level x of 5)

·       Achieve tangible results (Level x of 5)

·       Lead breakthrough change (Level x of 5)

·       Exceed customer expectations (Level x of 5)

·       Nurture, Inspire and Motivate (Level x of 5)

·       Target win-win outcomes (Level x of 5)