Summary

Overview

Work history

Education

Skills

Timeline

Blessious Phiri

Edinburgh

Summary

Accomplished database administrator with extensive expertise in Oracle, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM Netezza, Amazon RDS, and Amazon Aurora. Proven track record in high-availability solutions, backup and recovery strategies, and disaster recovery using Oracle RAC, ASM, Data Guard, RMAN, EDB BDR, EFM, Repmgr, and Barman. Skilled in Linux (RHEL/Oracle Linux), Unix systems administration and AWS Cloud services. Adept at ITIL-based service management and operational resilience with a focus on business continuity and compliance. Strong stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration drive successful project delivery and service improvement across enterprise systems. Proficient in Python programming for data migration and warehousing projects. Career goals include advancing strategic planning capabilities within cloud computing environments while enhancing cybersecurity measures.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work history

Technical Data Officer / Database Developer

The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

2024.05 - 2026.06

Administered, managed, and maintained Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL database environments supporting research, teaching, and operational services across multiple university departments.
Developed and maintained SQL scripts, stored procedures, views, and automated extraction processes to provide researchers and academic staff with accurate datasets for demographic, educational, and institutional research projects.
Led a major database migration project involving 58 licensed Microsoft SQL Server databases, successfully migrating critical applications and datasets from a Windows Server environment to PostgreSQL on Linux platforms.
Analysed and resolved database compatibility issues during migration activities, redesigning legacy SQL objects, queries, and database views to ensure functionality and performance within the PostgreSQL environment.
Managed PostgreSQL database administration tasks including performance monitoring, optimisation, backup management, user access control, troubleshooting, and data integrity validation.
Supported higher-learning demographic research initiatives through the extraction, transformation, validation, and delivery of large-scale datasets while ensuring compliance with institutional data governance requirements.
Administered Active Directory and Domain Controller services, including user account management, Group Policy administration, authentication services, and security controls.
Managed Microsoft Data Protection Manager (DPM) infrastructure, implementing and monitoring backup, recovery, and disaster recovery processes to safeguard critical research and operational data.
Administered enterprise tape backup solutions, ensuring secure long-term retention, regulatory compliance, and successful recovery testing of archived data.
Managed Dell VRTX infrastructure including Chassis Management Controller (CMC) and cluster switch configurations, supporting high availability, storage connectivity, and server performance requirements.
Performed database backup, restoration, disaster recovery testing, and business continuity planning activities to minimise operational risks and ensure service resilience.
Collaborated with academic researchers, software developers, infrastructure teams, and external vendors to deliver reliable database services and technical solutions aligned with research and institutional objectives.
Produced technical documentation, migration plans, system procedures, and operational reports to support service management, knowledge transfer, and audit requirements.
Led root cause analysis activities for database and infrastructure incidents, documenting corrective and preventative actions to reduce recurring service disruptions.
Identified recurring operational issues through trend analysis and implemented process improvements that enhanced service reliability and operational resilience.
Collaborated with software development, infrastructure, and platform teams to improve monitoring, automation, operational readiness, and support procedures.
Developed and maintained technical knowledge repositories, operational documentation, and known issue records to improve incident resolution efficiency and knowledge sharing.
Produced management and service reports communicating incident trends, problem resolution progress, service performance metrics, and risk mitigation activities.
Supported continuous service improvement initiatives through process optimisation, automation, and improved data management practices.
Ensured data management and operational processes aligned with institutional governance, security, and compliance requirements.

Specialist, Database Administrator

Standard Bank Group

2023.02 - 2023.12

Administered enterprise Oracle and PostgreSQL database environments supporting missioncritical banking systems within a highly regulated financial services environment.
Installed, configured, upgraded, and maintained PostgreSQL database platforms supporting highavailability banking applications and business services.
Implemented and supported replication, failover, and disaster recovery solutions using EDB Failover Manager (EFM), Repmgr, EDB BDR, and Barman backup technologies.
Configured PgBouncer connection pooling and performance monitoring solutions to improve database availability, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Supported Oracle database administration activities including backup and recovery, patching, upgrades, performance monitoring, and operational support.
Coordinated incident response, change management, governance, and compliance activities across technical and business teams.
Produced operational reports, service performance updates, and technical documentation for management and stakeholder review.
Technologies: Oracle, PostgreSQL, Linux/Unix, EDB BDR, EFM, Repmgr, PgBouncer, Barman, SQL, Shell Scripting.
Managed Problem Management activities for critical banking platforms, ensuring root causes, corrective actions, and preventative measures were documented and tracked to completion.
Conducted trend analysis of production incidents, identifying recurring issues and driving longterm remediation initiatives that improved platform stability and service availability.
Partnered with Engineering, Infrastructure, and DevOps teams to implement monitoring enhancements, automation solutions, operational runbooks, and resilience controls.
Established and maintained a Known Error Database (KEDB) to improve incident response effectiveness and reduce repeat service disruptions.

Database Administrator (Database & Business Intelligence)

FINCA Malawi

Lilongwe

2020.01 - 2023.01

Managed Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server database environments supporting enterprise financial services operations.
Performed database administration, backup and recovery, performance tuning, and capacity management activities.
Supported cloud migration and infrastructure modernisation programmes to improve service scalability and resilience.
Assisted with disaster recovery planning, business continuity, governance, and compliance initiatives.
Collaborated with business teams to enhance reporting, analytics, and decision-support capabilities.
Maintained technical standards, operational procedures (SYSOPS), and database governance documentation.
Technologies: Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server, Business Intelligence, Reporting Services, Cloud Platforms, SQL.
Participated in incident and problem management processes, conducting root cause investigations and implementing preventative measures to improve service stability.
Analysed operational trends and recurring database issues, recommending corrective actions that reduced service interruptions and improved system reliability.
Developed operational reports and management dashboards to communicate service performance, incident trends, and remediation progress.

Database Architect / Administrator

Malawi Telecommunications Limited

Blantyre

2019.05 - 2020.01

Supported enterprise Oracle database services and telecommunications infrastructure platforms.
Performed database monitoring, backup and recovery, performance management, and operational support activities.
Assisted with disaster recovery planning, operational resilience programmes, and service continuity initiatives.
Collaborated with stakeholders to resolve technical issues and improve service delivery processes.
Technologies: Oracle Database, Linux, Backup & Recovery, Monitoring, Disaster Recovery.
Supported incident and problem management activities through root cause analysis, issue tracking, and implementation of long-term corrective actions.
Worked closely with infrastructure and application teams to improve operational readiness, monitoring capabilities, and service resilience.

Senior Systems Administrator (Database & Business Intelligence)

First Capital Bank

Blantyre

2006.05 - 2019.04

Administered Oracle database environments supporting enterprise banking platforms including Oracle Flexcube and Finacle.
Supported Linux and Unix production systems, enterprise reporting services, and business intelligence environments.
Performed database upgrades, patching, performance tuning, backup and recovery, and operational support activities.
Developed automation solutions using shell scripting to improve operational efficiency and reduce manual administration tasks.
Collaborated with technical and business stakeholders to enhance service delivery and system performance.
Participated in incident management, governance, disaster recovery, and business continuity activities.
Produced technical reports, operational procedures, and management updates.
Technologies: Oracle RAC, ASM, RMAN, Data Guard, Oracle Flexcube, Finacle, Linux, Unix, SQL, PL/SQL, Shell Scripting.
Participated in major incident and problem management activities for critical banking systems, ensuring timely investigation, resolution, and prevention of recurring issues.
Conducted trend analysis and root cause investigations to improve platform stability and reduce operational risk across production environments.
Developed automation scripts, operational procedures, and support runbooks that improved service reliability and reduced manual intervention.
Produced executive and technical reports covering service availability, incident trends, disaster recovery readiness, and operational performance.
Contributed to governance, compliance, business continuity, and operational resilience initiatives supporting enterprise banking operations.