Senior Database Admin (Arabic Speaker)

Location: Dubai, UAE (Onsite) | Experience: 7 – 10 Years

Job Description

Senior Database Admin will be responsible for engineering, designing, implementing, administering, and maintaining enterprise database environments across the organization. Ensures database availability, scalability, performance, backup & recovery, security, and compliance with ITIL & ISO frameworks. Supports critical business applications and provides expert-level assistance to 1st and 2nd level teams. Leads database-related projects end-to-end and ensures continuous service improvement and operational excellence.

Roles & Responsibilities

Database Administration & Operations

  • Install, configure, manage, and optimize enterprise database platforms including:
    • Oracle Database (12c, 19c, 21c)
    • Microsoft SQL Server (2012–2022)
    • MySQL / MariaDB
    • PostgreSQL
    • NoSQL Databases (MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis) when applicable
  • Manage database instances, schemas, tables, indexes, partitions, storage structures, and user roles.
  • Monitor database performance, availability, health, and security using advanced monitoring tools.
  • Troubleshoot complex database issues, performance bottlenecks, locking/blocking, and long-running queries.
  • Administer database clustering and high availability environments:
    • Oracle RAC
    • Always-On Availability Groups
    • DataGuard / GoldenGate
    • Failover Clustering
  • Ensure the highest level of database uptime and performance according to SLAs.

Backup, Recovery & Security

  • Implement and manage database backup and recovery strategies using:
    • RMAN
    • Data Pump / Export-Import
    • SQL Server Backup / Log Shipping
    • Commvault / Veeam / Enterprise Backup Platforms
  • Perform regular backup validation, restoration tests, and disaster recovery drills.
  • Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulatory standards, ISO, and ITIL frameworks.
  • Implement strong security controls:
    • Encryption (TDE, SSL, TLS)
    • Role-based access control
    • Auditing & logging
    • Data masking
    • Vulnerability remediation

Engineering, Design & Solution Architecture

  • Analyze business requirements and translate them into optimized database architecture and solutions.
  • Design scalable, secure, and high-performance database systems.
  • Perform capacity planning, sizing, workload analysis, and licensing optimization.
  • Document architecture, topologies, SOPs, DR procedures, and upgrade plans.
  • Evaluate new technologies, propose enhancements, and drive modernization initiatives.

Project Implementation & Management

  • Lead end-to-end database projects including upgrades, migrations, consolidation, replication, and optimization.
  • Conduct site surveys, requirements analysis, and technical assessments.
  • Provide training to customers and internal teams as needed.
  • Ensure successful project execution within agreed timelines.

Incident, Problem & Change Management

  • Provide advanced L2/L3 support for all database-related incidents and problems.
  • Follow ITIL processes for incident, problem, and change management.
  • Update ticketing system with detailed technical actions and resolutions.
  • Conduct root cause analysis and implement permanent solutions.
  • Coordinate with vendors and internal IT teams for complex problem resolution.

Monitoring, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

  • Act immediately (24/7) on alerts received for critical systems.
  • Track and report database uptime, utilization, capacity, and performance.
  • Prepare monthly reports covering database health, trends, resource utilization, and improvements.
  • Recommend and implement enhancements to improve performance, reliability, and security.

Support to 1st & 2nd Level Teams

  • Provide expert-level guidance and knowledge transfer to 1st and 2nd level support engineers.
  • Assist with escalations and complex troubleshooting.
  • Participate in rollouts, upgrades, and major changes.

Requirements

Qualification and Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or related field.

Minimum Experience & Skills

  • Minimum 7–10 years of experience as a Database Administrator in a medium to large enterprise environment.
  • Proven experience in Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL/PostgreSQL administration.
  • Experience in high-availability, disaster recovery, performance tuning, and replication.
  • Deep knowledge of enterprise databases, backup systems, and data management.
  • Ability to design end-to-end database architectures and replication strategies.
  • Advanced troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
  • Ability to prepare preventive maintenance and monthly health reports.
  • Proactive in responding to alerts and ensuring system stability.
  • Strong documentation and reporting skills in English and Arabic.
  • Excellent understanding of database licensing and resource optimization.

Technical Competencies

  • Backup and Recovery Management
  • High Availability & DR Solutions
  • Incident & Problem Management
  • Performance Tuning (SQL, indexes, memory, I/O, CPU)
  • Database Security & Compliance
  • Scripting (PowerShell, Bash, Python, SQL Scripts)
  • Cloud Database Services (Azure SQL, RDS, OCI DB)
  • Monitoring Tools (OEM, SolarWinds, Grafana, Zabbix)
  • Service Management / ITIL Processes

Behavioural Competencies

  • Customer Focus
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration & Teamwork
  • Strong Communication Skills
  • Problem-Solving & Initiative
  • Planning & Organizing Work
  • High Attention to Detail
  • Professional Reporting Skills
  • Strong Follow-up & Ownership
  • Ability to work under pressure