Database Administrator

Database Administrator (DBA)

Company: Phungela
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Technology / Consulting
Location: South Africa

Role Overview

Phungela is seeking an experienced Database Administrator (DBA) to manage, maintain, secure and optimise database environments supporting business-critical systems and client applications.

The Database Administrator will be responsible for ensuring database availability, performance, security, integrity and recoverability while proactively identifying and resolving database-related risks and performance issues.

The successful candidate should be technically strong, analytical and comfortable working within environments where system reliability and data security are critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, administer and maintain database environments.
• Monitor database availability, performance, capacity and overall health.
• Perform database performance tuning, optimisation and troubleshooting.
• Implement and manage database backup, restoration and disaster recovery processes.
• Ensure successful completion and verification of scheduled database backups.
• Maintain database security, user access, roles and permissions.
• Monitor databases for security vulnerabilities, unusual activity and potential risks.
• Implement database patches, upgrades and configuration changes.
• Investigate and resolve database incidents, errors and performance degradation.
• Maintain database integrity, consistency and availability.
• Support application and development teams with database-related requirements.
• Assist with database migrations, upgrades and deployments.
• Monitor storage utilisation and proactively manage database capacity.
• Maintain database documentation, configurations, procedures and technical records.
• Participate in root-cause analysis for database and application incidents.
• Support business continuity and disaster recovery testing.
• Ensure database environments comply with organisational security and IT governance standards.
• Provide technical input into system architecture, application deployments and infrastructure changes where required.

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in database administration or a similar technical role.
• Strong experience administering relational database management systems.
• Practical experience with database backup, recovery and disaster recovery procedures.
• Experience with database monitoring and performance optimisation.
• Knowledge of database security, access management and permissions.
• Experience troubleshooting database and application connectivity issues.
• Understanding of high-availability and business-continuity concepts.
• Good knowledge of SQL and database querying.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to document technical procedures and environments effectively.

Technical Skills

Experience in one or more of the following will be advantageous:

• Microsoft SQL Server
• Oracle Database
• PostgreSQL
• MySQL
• SQL and database scripting
• Database performance monitoring tools
• Backup and recovery technologies
• Windows and/or Linux server environments
• Microsoft Azure, AWS or other cloud database platforms
• Database replication and high-availability technologies
• Data migration and database upgrade projects

Advantageous Certifications

Relevant certifications will be advantageous, including:

• Microsoft database or Azure certifications
• Oracle Database certifications
• AWS Database certifications
• PostgreSQL or other recognised database certifications
• ITIL Foundation

Key Competencies

• Strong technical troubleshooting ability
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Proactive monitoring and problem solving
• Ability to work independently
• Strong documentation discipline
• Good communication and stakeholder management
• Ability to work under pressure and respond effectively to incidents
• Strong understanding of information security principles
• Commitment to service availability and operational excellence

Key Performance Areas

Performance in the role will be measured against areas including:

• Database uptime and availability
• Database performance against agreed baselines
• Successful completion of scheduled backup jobs
• Successful database restoration and recovery testing
• Number of database issues proactively identified versus reactively reported
• Resolution of database incidents within agreed service levels
• Database security and patch compliance
• Accuracy and completeness of database documentation
• Reduction in recurring database performance and stability issues

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a Database Administrator who does more than respond to database failures. The successful candidate should proactively monitor database environments, identify risks before they become incidents and continuously improve the performance, security and resilience of the systems under their responsibility.

Please note that if you have not heard from us by the 10th of September 2026, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Work Location: In person