Assignment Duration:

The total duration of the assignment is estimated at 2 years. The contracts are created on a yearly basis; for 2026, 140 days are still accounted for, and at the end of the year, the contract for 2027 will be initiated and drawn up.

Context

RSVZ-INASTI is a federal public institution for social security for the self-employed. Within the IT Department, more than 150 employees work in a bilingual (NL/FR) environment on the IT landscape that supports the institute’s core services. The department works agile (Scrum) and manages an extensive application landscape, with the database layer as the central hub.

RSVZ has started a multi-year database modernization program with PostgreSQL on Azure as the strategic target platform.

To successfully execute this trajectory, we are strengthening the database team with a Senior PostgreSQL Specialist who will technically lead this transition, coach the team, and lay the foundation for a sustainable PostgreSQL operating model within RSVZ.

Role

The Senior PostgreSQL Specialist is the technical reference point for PostgreSQL on Microsoft Azure within RSVZ. He/she designs, implements, and optimizes PostgreSQL environments (Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server and – where appropriate – self-managed instances), leads Oracle-to-PostgreSQL migrations, and actively transfers knowledge to the existing DBAs. The role combines hands-on engineering with architecture, mentoring, and collaboration with development, security, and infrastructure teams.

The Senior PostgreSQL Specialist works closely with the Database Lead, the Cloud Architect, the Program Manager Cloud Transition, and suppliers (Microsoft, Smals, external migration partners). The role is deliberately hands-on: building yourself, migrating yourself, and at the same time bringing the team along in the new technology.

Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing the PostgreSQL target architecture on Azure: Flexible Server, HA zones, private endpoints, VNet integration, Entra ID authentication, key management, and backup/restore strategy in line with RSVZ landing zones.
• Leading Oracle-to-PostgreSQL migrations: assessing the source schema, sizing, refactoring PL/SQL, data type conversions, data transfer, and cutover planning, using migration tooling.
• Performance engineering and stabilization: query and index tuning, vacuum and autovacuum strategy, partitioning, parameter tuning, connection pooling, and capacity planning for production workloads.
• Operationalizing the PostgreSQL platform: monitoring, alerting, patch and upgrade strategy, observability, and incident handling in line with existing ITIL processes.
• High availability and business continuity: zone-redundant deployments, read replicas, point-in-time recovery, disaster recovery procedures, and periodic restore tests for applications subject to RSVZ continuity requirements.
• Security and compliance: role-based access management, pgAudit, encryption at rest and in transit, secrets management (Azure Key Vault), and compliance with GDPR, NIS2, and federal information security guidelines.
• Infrastructure as Code and automation: developing reusable Bicep or Terraform modules for PostgreSQL deployments and integration into existing CI/CD pipelines.
• Mentoring and knowledge transfer: actively guiding the existing Oracle DBAs and SQL Server DBAs in their reskilling to PostgreSQL, including documentation, runbooks, code reviews, and internal training sessions.
• Standards and governance: establishing and monitoring naming conventions, schema design guidelines, security baselines, and operational runbooks for PostgreSQL within RSVZ.
• Collaboration with development teams: support with data modeling, query optimization, and refactoring of applications migrating from Oracle or SQL Server to PostgreSQL.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or equivalent by experience.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience as DBA, database engineer, or database architect, of which at least 5 years with PostgreSQL and 2 years in an Azure context.
• Demonstrable experience with at least one completed Oracle-to-PostgreSQL migration of significant size (production workload, not just PoC).
• Experience in a large or regulated organization (public sector, financial sector, healthcare) is highly recommended.

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability, even under production pressure.
• Coaching and pedagogical attitude: transferring knowledge to colleagues with an Oracle or SQL Server background is a core part of the role.
• Ability to work autonomously and result-oriented in a complex federal environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Taking ownership: from design to production, including operational follow-up.
• Open and transparent communication, even in case of bad news (capacity issues, incidents, risks).
• Affinity with security, governance, and compliance within a public institution.
• Pragmatic: choosing robust and maintainable solutions over complex or niche technology.

Languages

• Dutch or French as native language: very good active knowledge (spoken and written).
• Dutch or French as a second language: functional knowledge for collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders who speak another language.
• English: fluent (technical documentation, supplier discussions with Microsoft, international community).

What we offer:

• A key role in a strategic transformation program with direct impact on the IT future of RSVZ.
• A stable, socially relevant working environment with room for technical depth.
• Hybrid working (max. 3 days telework per week) in a centrally located office in Brussels.
• A team open to modern working methods and willing to evolve along.