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. 

To Apply   

Applicants should provide: (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter, (3) names and contact information of two references who can attest to work and educational experience, and (4) copies of all degrees earned. In your cover letter, please be sure to describe your programming experience, your interest in public health, and how this internship aligns with your career goals. Please upload your cover letter and copies of degrees as a single PDF file under "Additional Files" on the application page. Non-Rwandan applicants are not eligible for this position. 

Organization profile  

The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is on a mission to radically change the way health care is delivered around the world. UGHE is a new university based in Rwanda that is growing the next generation of global health professionals—doctors, nurses, researchers, and public health and policy experts—into leaders and change makers who strive to deliver more equitable, quality health services for all. The University launched in Rwanda in September 2015 with the Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD).

Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system. UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high quality healthcare to some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu Buzima—PIH’s sister organization—and our government partners have driven innovation for a decade.   

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The UGHE team seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team. Partners In Health is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.   

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

  At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.  By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

 How to apply 
Applications should be submitted no later than February 14th, 2026. Please click on the “Apply” button to complete your application.