IT Specialist Chemonics International Inc

Employment Opportunity

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project seeks to fill the position of IT Specialist to support the GHSC-PSM project in Zambia.

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project will be the primary vehicle through which USAID will procure and provide health commodities, provide technical assistance to improve partner countries’ management of the supply chain and collaborate with key international stakeholders to support global health initiatives.

With 100+ staff across eight offices around the country, this diverse and complex program sets out to strengthen the capacity of GRZ to develop sustainable systems that ensure availability and security of vital and essential health commodities through (1) increased data availability and use for informed supply chain decision making, (2) improved quantification procurement planning and coordination processes, (3) provision of cost-effective, reliable international and local procurement services, (4) improved efficiency in warehousing and distribution by Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency ( ZAMMSA), and (5) increased strategic management and planning by Ministry of Health for improved commodity security. The project seeks to recruit (on a one-year contract renewable) for the following position:

Position Title : IT Specialist

Reporting to : Senior Operations Manager

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The IT Specialist will work with the Senior Operations Manager to provide IT support, inventory management application updates, systems design and administration, testing, and implementation. The IT Specialist will be responsible for the installation of VPN features, local firewalls, and anti-virus, carrying out research amongst the internet service providers (ISPs) then recommending the best provider, producing a report of inventories annually, and providing oversight of IT unit and supervise the IT assistant(s).

Specific Tasks

Technical Implementation

•  Responsible for systems administration and web administration, implementing the IT systems by design specifications and requirements as set by the project.
• Research, recommend, and arrange for internet service providers (ISPs) and/or other IT firms to install network cabling infrastructure for each office’s local area network.  Recommend and assist in contracting with local firms for ongoing monthly network maintenance and troubleshooting, as needed.
• Install local firewall and configure for VPN (if VPN is to be part of firewall build).
• Install wireless access point(s) onto network.
• Install main office server(s), create a domain, and designate functions and nomenclature for server and clients.
• Establish server functions such as File and Print sharing, DHCP/DNS, install and configure VPN features, all supporting software, tape backup solution, and anti-virus protection for local area network.
• Create domain security policy including admin accounts and documentation of all settings
• Deploy client workstations and join them to the domain – 1) Install antivirus software onto all project-owned computers; 2) Create all user accounts, as well as service admin accounts.  Create profiles for each necessary user account on a per-computer basis.
• Develop a standard folder structure (for file shares) adapted from the HO central filing structure.
• Install and test the standard folder structure, ensuring access for all project employees on domain computers. Access and document editing rights may have different levels of security/authorization, as deemed necessary by COP / Operations Director.
• Configure the network to accommodate ABACUS software and identify a local computer to act as a local ABACUS server.
• Ensure that all systems are compliant with Chemonics systems.
• Provide an overview of best practices to select staff in a basic network environment for simple maintenance and troubleshooting.

Management

• Ensure that the inventory management application is updated regularly to have the inventory items for the project maintained therein which includes the physical verification by-annual as well as production of the inventory annual reports.
• Training users in VPN access, security procedures, and anti-virus principles.
• Provide onsite and remote training to staff on the use of file servers in day-to-day operations.
• Provide onsite and remote training focused on best networking practices and Chemonics standards.
• Work with onsite and remote project technical staff to respond to questions and provide technical input regarding planned and ongoing programmatic activities with IT components.

Minimum Education Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies

• Degree in Information Technology, computer science, or related field preferred;
• Must be CISCO certified, CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE certifications for networking strongly preferred;
• Minimum four years of experience in maintaining project office computer hardware, networks, and software, ensuring that all hardware and software components are functioning;
• Advanced computer skills, particularly in MS Office software, especially MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Competent in networking and troubleshooting experience. Experience working in a large office with multiple provincial offices is strongly preferred;
• Experience troubleshooting printers and other equipment remotely;
• Understanding of USAID procurement procedures/ guidelines and experience working with USAID or other international donors preferred;
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills;
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity;
• Fluency in English required.

Location of Assignment: Lusaka