DB2 Specialist

Sasso Consulting; Centurion; Híbrido; ZAR 600.000 - 1.200.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Sasso Consulting seeks an experienced DB2 Specialist in Gauteng to administer, optimise and secure IBM Db2 environments within high-availability IT infrastructures. You will support production databases across enterprise apps and services.

The role emphasizes performance, security, backup/recovery and collaborative problem solving with architects, developers and operations teams.

Formación

• Diploma/degree in IT or related technical discipline.
• Proven IBM Db2 database administration experience (5+ years).
• 3+ years of hands-on Db2 administration and production support.

Responsabilidades

• Administer, configure and maintain IBM Db2 database environments.
• Monitor performance, availability and security of Db2 databases.
• Perform backup, recovery and disaster recovery procedures.
• Configure high availability (HADR) and replication.
• Tune SQL and database structures for optimal performance.
• Collaborate with developers, architects and operations teams.

Conocimientos

IBM Db2

SQL performance tuning

Database troubleshooting

High availability

Security and access control

Educación

Diploma or degree in IT/Computer Science

Herramientas

Db2 monitoring tools

IBM Data Studio

CLP/Shell scripting

Descripción del empleo

DB2 Specialist

Location:Gauteng
Positions Available: 5
Salary: Market-related
Employment type: 3 Year contract, hybrid

Job Overview

We are seeking experienced and technically proficient DB2 Specialists to administer, maintain, optimise, secure and support enterprise IBM Db2 database environments within complex, high-availability IT infrastructures.

The successful candidates will be responsible for ensuring the performance, availability, integrity, security and operational reliability of business-critical Db2 databases supporting enterprise applications and services.

This role requires substantial hands‑on expertise in IBM Db2 database administration, SQL performance tuning, database configuration, backup and recovery, high availability, database security and production troubleshooting.

The ideal candidates will have proven experience supporting large-scale IBM Db2 environments, managing complex database workloads, diagnosing performance problems and implementing resilient database solutions.

Candidates should understand enterprise database architecture, operating system integration, data replication, disaster recovery and structured IT service management processes.

The role requires collaboration with database architects, application developers, infrastructure engineers, systems administrators, cybersecurity specialists and enterprise operations teams.

This is a specialist IBM Db2 role requiring substantial hands‑on Db2 administration and technical support experience. General SQL development, Microsoft SQL Server administration, Oracle administration or reporting experience without practical Db2 expertise will not be sufficient.

Key Responsibilities

IBM Db2 Database Administration

• Install, configure, administer and maintain IBM Db2 database environments.
• Support enterprise Db2 database instances and associated services.
• Configure databases, tablespaces, buffer pools and storage structures.
• Manage database parameters and configuration settings.
• Monitor database availability, health and operational performance.
• Perform database maintenance and housekeeping activities.
• Support database upgrades, fix packs and patching.
• Maintain database environments across development, testing and production.
• Troubleshoot database configuration and operational issues.
• Ensure compliance with database administration standards.

Database Performance Monitoring and Optimisation

• Monitor database performance, throughput and resource utilisation.
• Analyse SQL execution plans and identify performance bottlenecks.
• Optimise SQL queries, indexing strategies and database structures.
• Investigate locking, deadlocks and transaction performance issues.
• Tune buffer pools, memory allocation and database configuration.
• Evaluate database workload patterns and capacity requirements.
• Support performance testing and benchmarking.
• Identify inefficient database access patterns.
• Recommend improvements to database performance and scalability.
• Collaborate with application developers on query optimisation.

Backup, Recovery and Disaster Recovery

• Configure and maintain Db2 backup and recovery procedures.
• Perform full, incremental and online database backups where supported.
• Manage transaction logs and recovery configurations.
• Execute database restore and rollforward recovery procedures.
• Validate backup integrity and recovery readiness.
• Support disaster recovery planning and testing.
• Define and support recovery time and recovery point objectives.
• Maintain recovery documentation and operational procedures.
• Investigate backup and recovery failures.
• Ensure business-critical databases can be restored reliably.

High Availability and Database Replication

• Support high-availability Db2 database architectures.
• Configure and maintain High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR) environments where applicable.
• Monitor database replication and synchronisation.
• Support database failover and recovery procedures.
• Troubleshoot replication delays and availability incidents.
• Maintain resilient database configurations.
• Participate in failover and disaster recovery exercises.
• Identify potential single points of failure.
• Collaborate with infrastructure teams on high-availability requirements.
• Recommend improvements to database resilience.

Database Security and Access Management

• Implement database security and access control requirements.
• Manage database users, roles and privileges.
• Configure authentication and authorisation controls.
• Support integration with enterprise identity management systems.
• Apply least-privilege access principles.
• Monitor database security events and audit records.
• Support database encryption and secure connectivity.
• Investigate unauthorised access or suspicious database activity.
• Assist with vulnerability assessments and security remediation.
• Ensure compliance with organisational security policies and applicable regulations.

SQL and Database Development Support

• Develop and optimise complex SQL queries.
• Support stored procedures, functions and database objects.
• Review database schema changes and application requirements.
• Troubleshoot SQL errors and transaction processing issues.
• Assist development teams with database connectivity and integration.
• Evaluate query performance and execution plans.
• Support database object deployment and configuration.
• Ensure database changes follow approved standards.
• Assist with application release testing.
• Provide specialist Db2 technical guidance.

Database Storage and Capacity Management

• Monitor database storage utilisation and growth.
• Manage tablespaces, containers and database storage allocations.
• Support database capacity forecasting and planning.
• Identify storage-related performance and availability risks.
• Coordinate storage expansion with infrastructure teams.
• Monitor transaction log utilisation.
• Optimise database storage structures.
• Support data archival and retention requirements.
• Maintain storage configuration documentation.
• Recommend improvements to database resource efficiency.

Operating System and Infrastructure Integration

• Support Db2 databases running on relevant enterprise operating systems.
• Troubleshoot database connectivity and operating system dependencies.
• Monitor CPU, memory, storage and network resource utilisation.
• Support Linux, UNIX or Windows-based Db2 environments where applicable.
• Coordinate operating system patching and infrastructure maintenance.
• Investigate database service failures and operating system errors.
• Support database connectivity through TCP/IP and enterprise networks.
• Collaborate with server, storage and network administrators.
• Maintain database service startup and shutdown procedures.
• Ensure database infrastructure meets operational requirements.

Database Migration and Modernisation

• Support Db2 database upgrades and migration initiatives.
• Assess database compatibility and technical dependencies.
• Assist with database consolidation and platform modernisation.
• Plan and execute database migration activities.
• Support data movement and replication between environments.
• Validate data integrity following migrations.
• Conduct post-migration performance and stability checks.
• Develop migration rollback and recovery procedures.
• Collaborate with database architects and migration specialists.
• Maintain migration documentation and technical records.

Incident, Problem and Change Management

• Respond to production Db2 incidents and service disruptions.
• Investigate database failures, performance degradation and connectivity issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and recommend corrective actions.
• Support incident escalation and service restoration.
• Implement approved database configuration changes.
• Participate in planned maintenance and deployment activities.
• Maintain incident, problem and change records.
• Follow established ITIL and operational procedures.
• Support after-hours maintenance or standby arrangements where required.
• Identify opportunities to prevent recurring database incidents.

Database Monitoring and Automation

• Configure and maintain database monitoring and alerting.
• Monitor database logs, diagnostic information and operational events.
• Develop scripts to automate routine administration tasks.
• Support proactive database health checks.
• Monitor backup success, storage growth and replication status.
• Generate database performance and availability reports.
• Maintain automated maintenance schedules.
• Investigate monitoring alerts and abnormal database behaviour.
• Improve operational efficiency through scripting and automation.
• Support integration with enterprise monitoring platforms.

Technical Documentation and Governance

• Maintain accurate database configuration documentation.
• Document database architecture, storage and replication arrangements.
• Develop operational procedures and troubleshooting guides.
• Maintain backup, recovery and disaster recovery documentation.
• Support database audits and compliance assessments.
• Record database changes and maintenance activities.
• Ensure adherence to security and operational standards.
• Provide technical guidance to database and infrastructure teams.
• Support knowledge transfer and operational handover.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of Db2 administration practices.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant diploma or degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Database Administration or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 5+ years of relevant enterprise database administration experience.
• Typically 3+ years of substantial hands‑on IBM Db2 administration experience.
• Proven practical IBM Db2 database administration and production support experience – essential.
• Experience installing, configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting Db2 databases.
• Strong SQL skills and experience with query performance optimisation.
• Practical knowledge of Db2 database structures, tablespaces, buffer pools and indexes.
• Experience with database backup, restore and recovery procedures.
• Understanding of Db2 high availability, replication and disaster recovery.
• Experience with database monitoring, diagnostics and incident management.
• Knowledge of database security, authentication and access control.
• Experience supporting business-critical production databases.
• Familiarity with Linux, UNIX, Windows or relevant enterprise operating systems.
• Understanding of storage, memory, CPU and network dependencies.
• Experience with database patching, upgrades and maintenance.
• Scripting or automation experience using Shell, Python or equivalent tools.
• Familiarity with ITIL incident, problem and change management.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis capabilities.
• Ability to collaborate with application, infrastructure and cybersecurity teams.
• Experience maintaining technical database documentation.
• Willingness to support critical maintenance, standby or after-hours activities where required and confirmed.

Technical Skills and Competencies

IBM Db2 Database Technologies

• IBM Db2
• Db2 database administration
• Db2 installation and configuration
• Database instances
• Database configuration parameters
• Tablespaces and containers
• Buffer pools
• Database indexes
• Transaction logging
• Database maintenance utilities
• Db2 diagnostic tools
• Database upgrades and fix packs

Db2 Platform Experience

Relevant experience may include:

• IBM Db2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows (Db2 LUW)
• IBM Db2 for z/OS
• IBM Db2 on IBM Power/AIX
• IBM Db2 in enterprise virtualised environments
• IBM Db2 cloud deployments
• Db2 Warehouse

Note: Db2 LUW and Db2 for z/OS have different administration requirements. The specific platform required for this opportunity must be confirmed with the client.

SQL and Performance Optimisation

• Advanced SQL
• SQL query tuning
• SQL execution plans
• Index optimisation
• Query access paths
• Database statistics
• Database reorganisation
• Locking and deadlock analysis
• Transaction optimisation
• Buffer pool tuning
• Memory management
• Performance monitoring
• Capacity planning

Backup, Recovery and High Availability

• Db2 backup utilities
• Database restore
• Rollforward recovery
• Transaction log management
• High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR) for Db2 LUW
• Database replication
• Failover procedures
• Disaster recovery testing
• Backup validation
• Recovery Time Objectives
• Recovery Point Objectives
• Business continuity

Operating Systems and Infrastructure

• Linux
• UNIX
• IBM AIX
• Windows Server
• IBM z/OS awareness
• TCP/IP networking
• Enterprise storage
• File systems
• CPU and memory monitoring
• Operating system scripting
• Server infrastructure troubleshooting
• Database connectivity

Db2 Administration and Monitoring Tools

Experience with relevant tools such as:

• IBM Db2 Command Line Processor (CLP)
• IBM Data Studio
• IBM Db2 monitoring utilities
• IBM Optim tools
• IBM Db2 diagnostic logs
• IBM Data Server Driver
• IBM Data Server Client
• Enterprise database monitoring platforms
• IBM Tivoli Monitoring or equivalent tools
• Splunk
• ServiceNow
• Other enterprise monitoring and service management tools

Database Security

• Database authentication
• Database authorisation
• User and role management
• Database privileges
• LDAP integration awareness
• Database encryption
• TLS connectivity
• Database auditing
• Data access controls
• Vulnerability management
• Secure database configuration
• POPIA awareness

Automation and Scripting

• Shell scripting
• Bash
• Python
• SQL scripting
• Automated backups
• Database health checks
• Maintenance automation
• Monitoring scripts
• Log analysis
• Operational reporting
• Scheduled database maintenance

Operational Frameworks

• ITIL
• Incident management
• Problem management
• Change management
• Configuration management
• Database lifecycle management
• Disaster recovery
• Business continuity
• ISO/IEC 27001 awareness
• Operational risk management
• Technical documentation

Relevant Certifications (Advantageous)

One or more of the following certifications would be beneficial:

• IBM Certified Database Administrator – Db2
• IBM Certified Database Associate – Db2
• IBM Db2 Advanced Database Administrator credentials
• IBM Db2 LUW administration training or certifications
• IBM Db2 for z/OS administration training or certifications
• IBM database performance tuning training
• Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
• Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC)
• ITIL 4 Foundation
• Relevant Linux, UNIX, database security or enterprise infrastructure certifications

Key Personal Attributes

• Strong technical troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and database accuracy.
• Ability to support mission‑critical production environments.
• Calm and methodical approach to database incidents.
• Strong understanding of database reliability and operational risk.
• Excellent technical documentation skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to collaborate with application and infrastructure teams.
• Proactive approach to monitoring and preventative maintenance.
• Ability to manage competing priorities during production incidents.
• Strong operational discipline and change management awareness.
• High levels of accountability, professionalism and integrity.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV clearly demonstrating their hands‑on IBM Db2 database administration experience, together with copies of relevant qualifications and professional certifications.

Candidates should specifically highlight:

• Years of practical IBM Db2 administration experience.
• Db2 platforms supported: LUW, z/OS or both.
• Db2 versions and operating systems worked with.
• Database installation, configuration and maintenance responsibilities.
• SQL performance tuning and optimisation experience.
• Tablespace, buffer pool and storage management experience.
• Backup, recovery, replication and high-availability experience.
• Production incident response and troubleshooting responsibilities.
• Database security and access management experience.
• Database upgrades, migrations and modernisation projects.
• Automation, scripting and monitoring tools used.
• Enterprise production environments personally supported.
• Relevant IBM Db2 and infrastructure certifications.