Information Technology (IT) Officer / Information Technology Specialist At DAI Global

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID Madagascar HARENA Activity

Position Title: Information Technology (IT) Officer

Period of Performance: 2024 – 2029 (End of Project)

Place of Performance: Antananarivo, Madagascar

BACKGROUND

The five-year (2024-2029) USAID Madagascar HARENA Activity will use a multisectoral systems approach to reduce threats to biodiversity and forests, improve conservation, and build resilience to climate change; develop sustainable, economic opportunities for the poor; and improve environmental governance. Working across local economic and social systems, the Activity will address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity that drive communities in Madagascar to rely on areas of high biodiversity for their basic needs. To do so, the Activity will work through three key areas of interventions: 1) natural resource and protected area (PA) management, and biodiversity and forest conservation (nature); 2) improved, climate-resilient livelihoods and private sector engagement for enhanced human wellbeing and socioeconomic outcomes (wealth); and 3) natural resource/PA governance (power). Focused in three geographic zones with high biodiversity value and high land-based climate change mitigation potential, HARENA will implement five strategic approaches to achieve key results:

• Strategic Approach 1: Improve sustainable management of natural resources with a focus on biodiversity, land, forests, and protected areas (PA);
• Strategic Approach 2: Promote sustainable and climate-resilient, market-led diversified agriculture-based livelihoods, including complementary natural resource products (such as tree crops) to improve livelihoods and ecosystems services;
• Strategic Approach 3: Improve national, regional, and local-level governance, advocacy, and anti-corruption efforts around natural resource, land, and water management;
• Strategic Approach 4: Increase local resilience to prepare for and adapt to climate change and other shocks; and
• Strategic Approach 5: Strengthen land use management through spatial planning at the communal level and secure land rights through the effective implementation of the land tenure policy.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Information Technology (IT) Officer is responsible for the IT needs of the project, including system installations, maintenance, support and technical consultations to clients. S/He is responsible for ensuring that standards set by the DAI home office are followed and project solutions are the most efficient and cost effective. Responsibilities also include assisting in the setup, maintenance and troubleshooting of the LANs (Local Area Networks) at the various project offices. Responsible for the setup, maintenance and troubleshooting of client computers and peripherals such as printers and scanners. S/He will ensure that proper back up, anti-virus and disaster recovery procedures are identified and followed and that end users have access to shared files, printers and to email. Other duties as assigned from time to time by the Finance and Operations Director.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversight

• Oversee the establishment of robust information technology systems throughout project locations, including regular travel to project office sites to oversee the installation, configuration and troubleshooting of individual and networked computer systems.
• Develop and oversee compliance with written operating guidelines and maintenance schedules.

Support

• Quickly respond to problems or interruption in network access.
• Help all Project staff with computer-related problems, requests, or questions.
• Work with appropriate administrative staff to resolve problems with network connection caused by factors outside the office space.
• Stay on-call when out of the office to help staff with problems or questions related to the network.
• Establish strong IT support systems through staff training.
• Establish regular communication with the Home Office OIMT IT Operations team regarding network, system hardware and software changes/issues/updates and user registration, updates and termination.
• Train and supervise regional staff on basic server maintenance.
• Supporting installation, configuration of DAI Email on smartphones (Android, Blackberry, and Apple).
• Support the communications team to maintain HARENA website, coordinating with the webhosting provider.
• Support the communications team to upload HARENA website content.

Access

• Coordinate management and upkeep of Information Technology Systems, as well as requesting access or deleting access to project systems.
• Setup new staff on the Active Directory and establish Lotus Notes accounts; Remove staff access to the active directory and terminate their lotus notes email account.
• Maintain email accounts for all staff and confidentiality of all passwords and other restricted information.

Procurement/Inventory Management

• Where appropriate, work with Administrative Assistant to establish agreements with local vendors.
• Verify the adequacy of power supply, grounding, cabling, telephone line wiring, connectors, and other system infrastructure.
• Verify the completeness of delivered software, including adequacy of licensing, and ensure that licensing and registration is completed for all project procured software.
• Maintain tracker of software licenses within project TAMIS. Maintain copies of licenses and request the purchase of additional licenses from the Home Office Project Manager.
• Maintain warranties for IT related products.

Facility

• Install LAN hardware and all procured software, including, but not limited to, the LAN operating system, Windows, Lotus Notes, TAMIS, Microsoft Office and Suite components, antivirus and backup software.
• Install network and personal firewalls.

Uninstallation

• Uninstall all software, including, but not limited to, the LAN operating system, Windows, Lotus Notes, TAMIS, Microsoft Office and Suite components, antivirus and backup software back to the original.
• Dismantle Local Area Network.
• Working with DAI System Administrator on cleaning the data of the server and creating the back up for HO record.

Maintenance

• Ensure that all IT systems are well-protected against viruses, power supply fluctuations and other threats to the systems.
• Properly maintain all computer and multimedia equipment in the HARENA project office.
• Ensure the safety of the server and other equipment in the computer room by locking the door at the end of each day.
• As required, verify the completeness and functionality of delivered computers, hubs and switches, modems, UPS machines, printers, scanners, and other hardware accessories, and take remedial replacement or repair action if needed.

Backup

• Back up project servers with a frequency as determined by the DAI Systems Administrator.
• Remove backup tapes from server and store them in a secure location.
• Backup all project electronic records and clean equipment prior to disposing to other partners.

REPORTING:

The IT Officer will report to the Finance and Operations Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in related field and minimum 6 years of relevant experience in IT system administration, maintenance and user support, or a combination of equivalent education and experience;
• PC and Server support experience;
• Knowledge of Windows Server & Windows Client operating systems;
• Knowledge of Hyper-V visualization platform;
• Knowledge of Windows network services: AD, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, Print and file sharing;
• Experience with IBM Notes Client configuration;
• Experience with Outlook client or O365 services;
• Knowledge of backup and restore services;
• Physical and logical LAN and WAN infrastructure principles;
• Communication equipment and VPN services;
• No prior legal convictions for fraud or theft and no prior terminations for cause from a prior employer;
• Demonstrated honesty, trustworthiness, initiative and self-motivation in handling all assigned tasks;
• An articulate individual who possesses excellent communications and personnel management skills and who can relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• A well organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus
• Professional-level oral and written fluency in French; professional-level oral and written fluency in Malagasy also highly preferred. English fluency desired.

ABOUT DAI

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

USAID HARENA

Job title: Information Technology Specialist

Execution period: 2024 – 2029 (End of Project)

Place of Performance: Antananarivo, Madagascar

CONTEXT

USAID’s five-year (2024-2029) HARENA Madagascar project will use a systemic, multi-sectoral approach to reduce threats to biodiversity and forests, improve conservation, and build resilience to climate change; develop sustainable economic opportunities for the poor; and improve environmental governance. By working across local economic and social systems, the Activity will address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity that drive communities in Madagascar to rely on areas of high biodiversity for their basic needs. To do this, the Activity will act through three key areas of intervention: 1) management of natural resources and protected areas (PA), conservation of biodiversity and forests (nature); 2) improved, climate-resilient livelihoods and private sector engagement to improve human well-being and socio-economic (wealth) outcomes; and 3) governance of natural resources and protected areas (power). Targeted in three geographic areas with high biodiversity value and high potential for terrestrial climate change mitigation, HARENA will implement five strategic approaches to achieve key results:

• Strategic Approach 1: Improve sustainable management of natural resources with a focus on biodiversity, land, forests and protected areas (PA);
• Strategic Approach 2: Promote sustainable and climate-resilient diversified agriculture-based livelihoods, including complementary natural resource products (such as tree crops) to improve livelihoods and ecosystem services;
• Strategic Approach 3: Improve governance, advocacy and anti-corruption efforts at national, regional and local levels around the management of natural resources, land and water;
• Strategic Approach 4: Increase local resilience to prepare for and adapt to climate change and other shocks; And
• Strategic Approach 5: Strengthen land use management through spatial planning at the communal level and secure land rights through effective implementation of the land tenure policy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Information Technology (IT) Specialist is responsible for the IT needs of the project, including system installations, maintenance, support and technical consultations for clients. He/She is responsible for ensuring that the standards set by DAI headquarters are followed and that project solutions are the most efficient and economical. Responsibilities also include assisting in the configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting of LANs (Local Area Networks) in all project offices. Responsible for configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting client computers and peripherals such as printers and scanners. He/She will ensure that appropriate backup, anti-virus and disaster recovery procedures are identified and followed and that end users have access to shared files, printers and emails. Other duties as assigned from time to time by the Director of Finance and Operations.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision

• Oversee the establishment of robust IT systems in all project locations, including regular travel to project field offices to supervise the installation, configuration and troubleshooting of individual and networked IT systems.
• Develop and monitor compliance with written operational guidelines and maintenance programs.

Support

• Respond quickly to network access problems or interruptions.
• Assist all project staff with IT-related problems, requests or questions.
• Work with appropriate administrative personnel to resolve network connection issues caused by factors external to the office space.
• Remain available by telephone outside of the office to assist staff with network-related issues or questions.
• Establish strong IT support systems through staff training.
• Establish regular communication with the Headquarters IT Operations team regarding network, hardware and software changes/issues/updates and user registration, updates and termination.
• Train and supervise regional staff on basic server maintenance.
• Support installation, configuration of DAI email on smartphones (Android, BlackBerry and Apple).
• Support the communications team in maintaining the HARENA website, coordinating with the web hosting provider.
• Support the communications team in uploading content to the HARENA website.

Access

• Coordinate the management and maintenance of Information Technology Systems, as well as requesting access or removing access to project systems.
• Configure new staff members in Microsoft Active Directory and establish Lotus Notes accounts; Remove staff access in Microsoft Active Directory and terminate their Lotus Notes email account.
• Maintain all staff email accounts and confidentiality of all passwords and other restricted information.

Purchasing/inventory management

• Where applicable, work with the Administrative Assistant to establish agreements with local suppliers.
• Check the adequacy of power supply, grounding, wiring, telephone line wiring, connectors and other system infrastructure.
• Check the completeness of the software delivered, including the validity of licenses, and ensure that licensing and registration are completed for all software acquired by the project.
• Maintain monitoring of software licenses within DAI’s Technical and Administrative Management Information System (TAMIS) project. Retain copies of licenses and request the purchase of additional licenses from the Headquarters Project Manager.
• Maintain warranties for IT-related products.

Facility

• Install LAN hardware and all acquired software, including but not limited to LAN operating system, Windows, Lotus Notes, TAMIS, Microsoft Office and suite components, antivirus and backup software.
• Install network and personal firewalls.

Uninstallation

• Uninstall all software, including but not limited to LAN operating system, Windows, Lotus Notes, TAMIS, Microsoft Office and suite components, antivirus and backup software, back to original .
• Dismantle the Local Area Network (LAN).
• Work with DAI System Administrator to clean server data and create backup for headquarters archives.

Interview

• Ensure that all computer systems are well protected against viruses, power fluctuations and other threats to the systems.
• Properly maintain all computer and multimedia equipment in the HARENA project office.
• Ensure the security of the server and other equipment in the computer room by locking the door at the end of each day.
• If necessary, check the completeness and functionality of delivered computers, hubs and switches, modems, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, printers, scanners and other hardware accessories, and take replacement or repair measures if necessary.

Backup

• Back up the project servers with a frequency determined by the DAI Systems Administrator.
• Remove backup tapes from the server and store them in a secure location.
• Back up all electronic project records and clean equipment before disposing to other partners.

REPORT

The IT Officer will be under the direction of the Director of Finance and Operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in computer systems administration, maintenance and user support, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• PC and server support experience;
• Knowledge of Windows Server & Windows Client operating systems;
• Knowledge of the Hyper-V virtualization platform;
• Knowledge of Windows network services: AD, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, printer and file sharing;
• Experience configuring the IBM Notes client;
• Experience with Outlook client or O365 services;
• Knowledge of backup and recovery services;
• Principles of physical and logical LAN and WAN infrastructure;
• Communications equipment and VPN services;
• No legal conviction for fraud or theft and no previous termination for cause by a previous employer;
• Demonstrated honesty, reliability, initiative and self-motivation in handling all assigned tasks;
• An articulate individual who has excellent communication and people management skills and can relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• A well-organized and autonomous individual with solid technical skills, analytical skills, good judgment and a strong operational focus
• Professional mastery of oral and written French; Professional oral and written fluency in Malagasy is also strongly preferred. Fluency in English is desired.

ABOUT DAI:

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the US, UK, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We address fundamental problems of social and economic development caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance and instability. DAI works on the front lines of global development. Turning ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees of all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI adheres to the highest ethical standards. We are committed to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and other ethical violations. All our positions are therefore subject to rigorous checks and references.