WAKISA GONDWE

As a Systems Administrator at the Vector Disease Control Center, I was responsible for developing and managing systems for data capture and reporting in support of vector-borne disease research. I designed and implemented digital data collection platforms to streamline field and laboratory data entry, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timely availability of research data. I deployed and maintained applications on cloud-based servers, handling server provisioning, configuration, and performance optimization. My role included managing system security, user access controls, backups, and ensuring high availability of critical research systems. I also configured and maintained infrastructure services, troubleshot technical issues, and supported researchers with reliable tools for data analysis and reporting. Key achievements include successfully delivering scalable data collection systems, improving data accessibility for research teams, and maintaining stable, secure cloud environments to support ongoing public health research initiatives.

As a Software Engineer at the University of Malawi, I design, develop, and maintain web-based systems that support academic and administrative operations, primarily using frameworks such as Ruby on Rails and Laravel. I manage and integrate databases, ensuring efficient data flow across platforms including DSpace, ORCID, and KoboToolbox, while also supporting reporting needs through tools like Power BI. My role involves deploying and maintaining applications on Linux-based production environments, handling system security, authentication (including LDAP), and performance optimization. I collaborate closely with university stakeholders to build user-friendly interfaces and automate workflows, significantly improving efficiency. Key achievements include successfully delivering and deploying multiple institutional systems, integrating research platforms for enhanced access to scholarly outputs, improving system reliability, strengthening security, and streamlining data management processes across the university.

Second-in-command under the ICT Director, responsible for the design, development, deployment,
and maintenance of all institutional software systems.
▸ Architected and delivered a high-throughput Payments API in Ruby on Rails enabling real
time transaction processing for 10, 000+ students, with seamless integration across multiple
financial platforms including National Bank of Malawi, NBS Bank, FDH Bank, and TNM Mobile
Money — significantly improving payment reconciliation and reducing processing delays
▸ Contributed to a full HR Management System (HRMS) covering employee profiles, performance
appraisals, leave management, payroll bank-file processing and HR analytics — reducing
manual HR workload by an estimated 60%.
▸ Maintained and scaled the Student Assessment & Registration Information System (SARIS)
serving 10, 000+ students, adding a student self-service portal and staff dashboard module.
▸ Led a team of 4 developers to build the University of Malawi Research Repository
(research.unima.ac.mw) currently in production.
▸ Implemented containerised deployments using Docker, ensuring reproducible builds across
dev, staging, and production environments.
▸ Established version-control standards and code-review workflows on Bitbucket, reducing
production bugs by improving pre-merge quality gates.

▸ Designed, developed, deployed, and hosted a company website and management system
(zipatsoltd.com) using cloud infrastructure (Hostinger).
▸ Delivered the end-to-end project independently — from requirements analysis to go-live —
within the agreed timeline and budget.

▸ Customised the National Agriculture Management Information System (NAMIS) by configuring
data collection variables in DHIS2 for field data pipelines.

▸ Built multiple client websites using PHP, JavaScript, and Bootstrap; work showcased at
portifolio.shakesolutions.net.

▸ Customised and maintained the Warehouse Receipt System and ACE public website using PHP,
JavaScript, Bootstrap, and HTML.