Job Description

Department of Personnel Management

Designation : Manager-Infrastructure Hosting Support & Database Management (Code- DPM 14-38)

Job Description / Responsibilities:

1. IDENTIFICATION

AGENCY:

Department of Personnel Management

SYSTEM POSITION# (10-Digits):

 

REF#:

DPM14-38

OFFICE:

Office of the Public Service HR/Payroll Services

DESIGNATION/CLASSIFICATION:

Manager/Grade 16

DIVISION:

Ascender Pay IHR/Payroll System Database & Application Support

LOCAL DESIGNATION:

Manager - Infrastructure Hosting Support & Database Management

BRANCH:

Infrastructure Hosting Support and Database Management

REPORTING TO:

Executive Manager

SYS POS# (10-Digits):

 

REF#:

DPM14-36

SECTION:

 

LOCATION:

Central Government Office, Level 3, Waigani, NCD
       

HISTORY OF POSITION

 

 

FILE REFERENCE

DATE OF VARIATION

DETAILS

AGENCY REFERENCE/FILE NO:

Structure Approved Date:

27th March 2025

2. PURPOSE:

The Manager - Infrastructure Hosting Support and Database Management is responsible for managing and coordinating all infrastructure-related technical support functions associated with the hosting of the Ascender Pay Integrated HR/Payroll System, including the secure operation, performance tuning, and maintenance of the system database. This role ensures business continuity, database integrity, infrastructure resilience, and system uptime.

  • This position supports the Department of Personnel Management’s core digital operations by ensuring the HR/Payroll system infrastructure is secure, stable, and well-maintained to enable timely payroll processing and HR transactions.
  • The role ensures continuity in infrastructure and database hosting services, which directly impacts the delivery of payroll and HR services across all government agencies.
  • Without this role, there would be significant risk of system failures, data corruption, and disruption to payroll operations due to infrastructure or database-related issues.
  • This job is needed to enforce technical standards, optimize system performance, and ensure all hosted components - including databases, operating systems, and middleware - are operating under controlled, monitored, and updated environments.

3. IMENSIONS:

Finance: Indirect impact on the annual national payroll budget.

Staff Supervision: Manages a small technical team of 2–4 officers, including systems engineers and database support staff.

Resources Managed: Oracle 10g database, Red Hat Linux operating systems, hosting platforms at Digitec Ltd (or future infrastructure provider), backup tools, application performance monitors, and network configurations.

Scope: Supports hosting of payroll systems servicing over 146,000 public servants and 120+ government agencies.

4. PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  1. Ensure all hosted system infrastructure supporting the Ascender Pay IHRP System is maintained, monitored, and optimized for performance and uptime.
  2. Perform routine database maintenance, performance tuning, optimization, and support to ensure reliability of payroll operations.
  3. Manage the interface between the Department and the infrastructure service provider (Digitec Ltd or equivalent), ensuring SLAs are adhered to.
  4. Maintain system-level access controls and enforce secure hosting configurations to mitigate technical risks.
  5. Prepare and deliver routine infrastructure and database health status reports to senior management.
  6. Ensure data recovery, backup, and redundancy protocols are implemented and tested regularly.
  7. Provide technical guidance on hosting improvements, system migrations, and future infrastructure upgrades.

5. MAJOR DUTIES:

  1. Monitor infrastructure performance (network, storage, CPU, memory) of hosted environment and act on early warning signs.
  2. Conduct Oracle 10g database tuning, log file monitoring, space management, and patching.
  3. Coordinate and manage hosting contracts, SLAs, and technical compliance checks with Digitec Ltd.
  4. Configure and maintain secure shell access (SSH), firewall rules, and OS-level patches for Linux servers.
  5. Maintain system documentation including network maps, server configurations, and technical recovery procedures.
  6. Review and troubleshoot system-wide technical incidents and ensure fast resolution.
  7. Plan and implement preventive maintenance to minimize system downtime.
  8. Provide high-level support during critical payroll processing periods to ensure uninterrupted service.
  9. Participate in audits and prepare hosting-related documentation as requested.

6. NATURE AND SCOPE:

This position is located in the Whole-of-Government Pay Office under the Ascender Pay IHR/Payroll System Database & Application Support Division. It reports to the Executive Manager - HR/Payroll System Database and Application Support. The role provides a bridge between infrastructure-level operations and database support services, ensuring the entire technical environment is compliant, monitored, and operating efficiently.

The Manager has operational responsibility for the hosting platform and all database support routines, working in collaboration with system vendors, ICT partners, and internal business teams.

6.1 Working Relationship:

(a) Internal:

  • Executive Manager - HR/Payroll System Database and Application Support
  • Database and Application Support Officers
  • HRIS and Payroll Monitoring Divisions
  • DPM ICT and Policy Teams

(b) External:

  • Digitec Ltd (hosting provider)
  • Department of ICT (digital standards and infrastructure policies)
  • Ascender Vendor Support Team
  • Department of Finance (integration and infrastructure queries only during transition phase)

6.2 Work Environment:

The role functions within a highly technical and specialist environment dealing with infrastructure-level operations and database administration. It involves operating under strict uptime, confidentiality, and data integrity requirements. The position combines physical hosting support oversight, database technical tuning, and vendor liaison to deliver a mission-critical platform serving the whole of government.

7. CONSTRAINTS FRAMEWORK AND BOUNDARIES:

  • Rules/Procedures: General Orders, ICT Hosting and Infrastructure Policies, Data Governance Frameworks, Change Control Protocols, Hosting Agreements.
  • Decision: Authorized to approve infrastructure configuration changes, perform database tuning, manage backups, and recommend vendor escalation.
  • Recommendations: Recommends infrastructure upgrades, system migrations, changes to hosting providers, and improved database optimization strategies.

8. CHALLENGES:

The most pressing challenge is ensuring high availability and performance of hosted infrastructure under increasing demand, technical complexity, and security threats. Managing routine maintenance, database optimization, and vendor relationships simultaneously - without disrupting payroll operations - is a major technical and strategic challenge requiring strong leadership and proactive systems management.

9. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

(a) Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Networking, or relevant field.
  • Certification in Oracle Database Administration or Linux Systems Engineering is desirable.

(b) Knowledge

  • Strong understanding of hosting environments (on-prem or cloud-based).
  • In-depth knowledge of Oracle 10g database architecture and Red Hat Linux operating systems.
  • Familiarity with network infrastructure, backup protocols, system monitoring, and ICT security standards.

(c) Skills

  • Database optimization and performance tuning
  • Infrastructure maintenance and systems monitoring
  • Linux server administration
  • Risk management and incident response
  • Technical documentation and vendor liaison

(d) Work Experience

  • Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in infrastructure support or database management, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
  • Experience managing hosting environments and interfacing with ICT vendors.

Job Type:

Full Time

Language Requirements:

English

Salary(per annum):

K56172.00

Job Location:

Waigani

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