IT Specialist
Reports to: IT Manager
Department: IT
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Grade: 10 (N)
Starting Salary: KES 105,600 (per month)
Status: Exempt
RSC Africa
The Resettlement Support Center (RSC) Africa operates a US refugee resettlement program in sub-Saharan Africa through a Cooperative Agreement with the Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. RSC Africa is responsible for the preparation of refugee case files for adjudication by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, as well as the out-processing and cultural orientation of all approved cases. RSC Africa is administered by the Church World Service Immigration Refugee Program (CWS/IRP) and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
EEOC
Church World Service does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or the provision of services.
Due to the volume of applications that we receive, only those individuals shortlisted will be contacted.
To Apply:
Please click the below link to apply directly online to this position.
This position is open to national applicants.
Please note RSC Africa does not accept resumes for positions that are not posted. All applicants are required to submit their resume using the on-line applicant tracking system.
HR will use the e-mail you provided in Applicant Stack as the official means of communications for the recruitment process.
Communications
HR will use the contact information supplied in Applicant Stack to contact you. If your contact information changes it is your responsibility to keep HR informed of your contact information.
Benefits
CWS Global and RSC Africa offer a total compensation package. The total compensation package includes life insurance, comprehensive health insurance, dental coverage, vision coverage, RSC Africa offers 10% retirement contribution with a 5% employee match, 22 vacation days a year, 30 sick days per year at full pay and 15 days sick a year at half pay, compassionate leave, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Application Materials
Your application materials should clearly reflect how you meet the requirements of the position and demonstrate that you have successfully performed the essential functions of the position. Personal identifying information such as gender, age, nationality, tribe, and hobbies should NOT be included in your application materials.
Your experience should be in Month/Year format. Please do NOT include an objective statement.
Assignment
The IT Specialist can be assigned to anyone of the following areas: IT infrastructure, Systems Equipment, and Staff Support. The current assignment is in Staff Support. The IT Specialists back-up the other areas of IT outside of their primary assignment.
Primary Purpose
The IT Specialists are primarily responsible for managing and monitoring IT infrastructure, systems, equipment, and staff support. The positions require flexibility, initiative and confidence in dealing with different types of systems and more importantly, different types of people.
Supervision
These positions report directly to the IT Manager.
Essential Duties
IT Specialist – Infrastructure
- Achieves and maintains a thorough knowledge and adherence to established RSC Africa, CWS/IRP, DOS/PRM and USCIS policies and procedures regarding database management for RSC Africa operations.
- Manages IT equipment and maintains up to date inventory.
- Manages and monitors IT infrastructure (Power, Servers, LAN and WLAN networks, firewalls and network equipment) and ensures highest performance.
- Maintains and monitors communication infrastructure (Email server, ISA Server, Email firewall, Internet, OWA BB services and VPN).
- Maintains field team equipment.
- Resolves infrastructure requests escalated from service desk.
- When needed, covers the responsibilities of the other IT specialists.
Essential Duties
IT Specialist – Staff Support
- Achieves and maintains a thorough knowledge and adherence to established RSC Africa, CWS/IRP, DOS/PRM and USCIS policies and procedures regarding database management for RSC Africa operations.
- Mans the helpdesk and escalates support requests as needed.
- Responds to help desk requests within the stipulated timelines, and provides first line support.
- Escalates and follows helpdesk requests to other IT staff as need be.
- Plans for and delivers IT training to RSC staff.
- Works with the IT manager in analyzing and helpdesk data to make inferences on training needs.
- When needed, covers the responsibilities of the other IT Specialists.
Essential Duties
IT Specialist – System Administration
- Achieves and maintains a thorough knowledge and adherence to established RSC Africa, CWS/IRP, DOS/PRM and USCIS policies and procedures regarding database management for RSC Africa operations
- Administers and monitors of information systems (WRAPS, Email, File Servers and management systems (HRMIS, GP, BP).
- Ensures accessibility of the information systems above.
- Administers and maintains information security including systems access, permissions and restrictions.
- Administers and manages the anti-virus system ensuring all systems are up to date.
- Conducts and maintains Data backups, backup testing and data restore per the disaster recovery policy and procedures.
- Administers and manages user accounts including remote and black berry users.
- Resolves system admin requests escalated from service desk.
- Provides input and recommendation to the IT manager on system administration.
- When needed, covers the responsibilities of the other IT specialists.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma or other advanced professional training in a computer related field is required.
Experience:
Two years directly related specialized experience performing the essential duties is required.
Two years’ experience in managing and maintaining computer networks, preferably Windows based networks, is preferred. Experience in managing IT projects preferred.
Knowledge / Skills:
- Strong knowledge and working experience with administration of database systems, especially MS SQL Server.
- Strong working knowledge in networking (LAN, WAN and wireless).
- Through knowledge of MS-Windows network systems.
- Strong, up-to-date knowledge in systems security in a large network environment.
- Extensive knowledge on the use of the Internet and email.
- Strong knowledge in MS Exchange mail system.
- Strong knowledge of using and managing IT Helpdesk systems.
- Thorough knowledge of computer licensing requirements, good problem solving skills and willingness to constantly renew required knowledge.
Abilities:
The IT Specialists must have the ability to:
- discuss technical information with users of diverse technical levels and discern their needs;
· facilitate and negotiate;
· communicate technical reports effectively at any level;
· communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
· follow instructions from the Supervisor with a positive and receptive attitude;
· deal effectively and courteously with a large number of associates, outside agencies, refugees and members of the general public;
· conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner to represent the best interests of RSC Africa and CWS/IRP;
· maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;
· carry out all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision;
· work independently and contribute to overall operations at management level;
· take initiative in the development and completion of projects;
· lead others and address issues as they arise;
· maintain strict confidentiality with RSC Africa administrative and operational information;
· manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities;
· analyze and solve complex problems;
· work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation;
· effectively manage RSC Africa’s resources;
· actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Government Operational Refugee Processing Program in Africa
Working Conditions
Physical:This position requires bending, squatting, climbing, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying moderate loads.
Environmental:Incumbents in this position will be exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust.
Special Requirements
Certificate of Good Conduct is required before the start of employment.
Licensing/Certification
Industry certifications in areas of networking or security or systems or service required
Competencies
Communication:
Listen carefully to assure clear understanding of instructions and requests. Communicate detailed
and/or technical information clearly, in writing and orally. Ask appropriate questions in seeking
explanations needed to perform job. Promote “transparency of information” by sharing relevant
information with staff and other stakeholders. Understand staff roles and procedures and prepare
standard reports to track job progress or activities. Anticipate needs and interests and take
proactive steps to respond to them. Understand and is able to use appropriate technology to
communicate with others inside and outside CWS and RSC Africa. Respect and maintain
confidentiality of sensitive information within parameters defined by supervisor and/or CWS and
RSC Africa policy.
Relationships
Understand who stakeholders, partners and internal/external customers are and be responsive to their needs. Facilitate interactions and serve as a resource in relations with stakeholders, partners and internal/ external customers. Recognize and be sensitive to issues of concern. Recognize and be sensitive to cultural and ethnic issues. Manage relationships with stakeholders and work within their structure to identify programmatic linkages, plan and implement services and activities, and coordinate resolutions to problems. Identify potential constituents with whom to build relationships and flesh out details of those relationships within the context of CWS’s mission, values and policies. Participate in developing recommendations and implementing policies governing relations with stakeholders. Resolve issues of concern to maintain effective constituent relationships.
Job Knowledge
Understand the mission and values of CWS and RSC Africa and how they apply to their work and
relationships with others. Understand the work performed and how it supports CWS and
RSC Africa in achieving goals. Understand how to work multiculturally with sensitivity and integrity.
Knows a broad range of information regarding specific program or department and use that
knowledge to perform effectively and independently. Applies a depth of knowledge within area of
responsibility to implement assigned activities. Able to use and willing to expand learning of
applications or technology to perform job duties. Maintain and improve the skills and knowledge
needed to be effective in performing job responsibilities. Apply CWS and RSC Africa policies and
procedures for staff and stakeholders.
Teamwork
Understand what a team is and what it does. Demonstrate a willingness to work on a team.
Understand own role on the team and how it fits in to the overall results to be produced. Promote
effective interactions among team members and facilitate group discussion. Participates in
identifying and establishing work needs and time lines for completion. Keep team leader and
members informed of work status. Demonstrate awareness of what other teams do and how their
work affects own team. Recognize and respect the importance of work performed by colleagues.
Understand organizational priorities and is willing to set aside own tasks to assist others to
complete high priority tasks.
Problem Solving
Identify problems in procedures that affect program work and recommend changes in systems or
procedures to address them, then implement approved changes. Understand and apply knowledge
of the context in which CWS and RSC Africa works, including global trends and issues. Resolving
problems and trying new ways of doing things. Know how and when to apply technical solutions to
problems. Share results of problem solving experiences with others. Remain flexible in responding
to organizational priorities.
HOW TO APPLY:
To Apply:
Please click the below link to apply directly online to this position.
This position is open to national applicants.
Please note RSC Africa does not accept resumes for positions that are not posted. All applicants are required to submit their resume using the on-line applicant tracking system.
HR will use the e-mail you provided in Applicant Stack as the official means of communications for the recruitment process.
