Information Technology (IT) Manager at Creative Associates International

Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN)

Department: Education    

Reports to: Senior Operations Manager           

BACKGROUND

Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio of that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. Creative Associates International has been working in Nigeria for more than a decade to support education programs in Nigeria.

Project Description:   Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils. The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform. The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains. LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

POSITION SUMMARY

The IT Manager will provide technical set-up and needed support on all IT related issues, including installation and testing of workstations, printers, client software, upgrades, and configuration. Some travel is expected.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

The IT Manger reports to the Senior Operations Manager in Abuja.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement and document network operations, processes, and procedures.
• Deploy and implement office network according to Home Office specifications.
• Serve as the office Network Administrator. Identify and solve possible problems in the network. Supervise installations performed by third parties, such as cabling and internet connection.
• Supervise and follow up on equipment maintenance performed by other contractors. Provide daily support to the Abuja office and troubleshoot users. Implement and enforce security on the network and prevent misuse of IT resources. Participate in writing IT office policy. Responsible for IT inventory. Work closely with the DCOP and procurement team to monitor distribution and location of IT equipment by performing a yearly inventory check-up.
• Set up, implement, and maintain hardware firewall. Keep the network healthy by applying all required security patches and monitoring the correct delivery of all antivirus updates. Implement and document a disaster recovery plan and offsite storage of backed up data.
• Manage and follow-up the execution of all IT tasks inside the project (workflows and processes);
• Supervise and manage day to day activities of the IT team
• Establishes system specifications by conferring with users, analyzing workflow, access, information, and security requirements, designing system infrastructure for both project and grantees.
• Establishes system by planning and executing the selection, installation, configuration, and testing of PC and server hardware, software, LAN, and WAN networks, and operating and system management systems, defining system, operational policies and procedures.
• Maintains system performance by performing system monitoring and analysis, and performance tuning; troubleshooting system hardware, software, networks and operating and system management systems; designing and escalating application problems to vendor.
• Support day to day users request and concerns for both software and hardware. Training staff on new technology available in the facility. Ensure timely and accurate delivery of technology products and services.
• Requesting new staff emails from HQ for newly joined staff. Configuring and troubleshooting the new emails accounts for staff.
• Oversee and maintaining the internet connection for the offices and residences also follow-up with internet payment.
• Negotiate contracts and purchases with vendors for software, hardware, and internet services.
• Install and configuring software and hardware.
• Preserves assets by implementing disaster recovery and back-up procedures and information security and control structures.
• Requesting software licenses and hardware from HQ
• Upgrades, installs, and troubleshoots networks, networking hardware devices and servers’ software.
• Maintaining an inventory of all IT related equipment and parts as well as documentation and license provided by HQ or local vendors
• Seeks ways to apply new technology to help and easy up staff tasks.
• Purchasing ink cartridges for all the printers at the office and residence
• Configuring and maintaining the telephone system at the office and the residences
• Meets financial requirements by submitting information for budgets, monitoring expenses.
• Protecting organization’s information confidential/material.
• Perform IT department management of IT initiatives.
• Consults with program/operation management for appropriate technical solutions to help them perform their tasks more efficiently.
• Advise on options, risks, costs vs. benefits, impact on new technologies implemented and systems
• Printing and configuring ID cards and maintaining the access control system
• Maintain and troubleshooting the CCTV system for offices and residences
• Troubleshooting and upgrading of smart phones and BlackBerry’s for STTA and staff at the project.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in ICT, information systems, or related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• At least six years’ experience relevant to this position required, with at least four years in IT systems management.
• Certification in CompTIA Network + and its equivalent is an added advantage.
• At least three years of supervisory experience with groups or teams of staff required.
• Previous experience working on USAID-funded projects preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in spoken and written English required.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.

 Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here