Position: Policy LINK – IT Specialist
Location: Accra, Ghana
Project: USAID/Feed the Future Policy LINK
Status: STTA (Independent Consultant)
Period of Performance: April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023, renewable
Supervisor: Finance & Operations Director, Ghana
Level of Effort: Approximately 2 days/week
Project Background
The Feed the Future Policy LINK project will strengthen the capacity of local actors and institutions to lead and manage the agricultural transformation process and contribute effectively and collectively to improved, broad-based food security policy outcomes.
Specifically, the program aims to strengthen food security policy systems by investing in and reinforcing productive human and social capital and developing strategic partnerships that help bring these innovations and capacity investments to scale in order to achieve a critical mass of local actors with the ability and opportunity to effect positive policy change through collective action.
Policy LINK’s general approach is grounded in facilitative leadership and collaborative governance, which emphasize engaging stakeholders from civil society and public and private sectors in consensus-oriented decision making, collaborative problem solving, and adaptive learning.
Policy LINK in Ghana
USAID/Policy LINK Ghana is a five-year activity with the overall objective of fostering behavior change that strengthens the capacity and ability of Ghanaian stakeholders to participate in a more transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based agriculture and food security policy process that leads to improved food and nutrition outcomes and broad-based economic growth. Specifically, the activity will facilitate the transition towards a policy development paradigm driven by multiple stakeholders.
This approach to policymaking will strengthen the capacities of Ghana’s main agricultural policy system actors and institutions, and support them to engage stakeholders traditionally excluded from decision-making, including academia, financial institutions, the judiciary, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector representatives from the national, regional, and local levels.
This approach is underpinned by Policy LINK’s overarching theory of change focused on increasing human and social capital, engaging policy system actors in collaborative processes, and developing mechanisms for collaborative governance and dynamic learning systems and platforms to sustain collective action.
Position Objectives
The IT Specialist is responsible for the oversight of project IT needs as agreed upon under the contract, to include Ad Hoc system installations, maintenance, support, and technical consultations to the project. The IT Specialist is responsible for ensuring that standards set by the DAI OIMT are followed and proprietary project solutions are the most efficient and cost effective available. Responsibilities include the oversight of the Local Area Network, IT equipment and services at project offices, adhering to back up, anti-virus and disaster recovery procedures and ensuring that end users have reliable access to shared files, printers and collaboration tools (email, instant messaging, voice calling, video calling).
DAI’s Office of Information Management & Technology (OIMT) will provide the IT Specialist, with guidelines for system administration at every level, as such it is the responsibility of the IT Specialist to keep OIMT informed of issues and or proposed system modifications which deviate from standard operating procedure.
The project office will host the following equipment and network components. Initial installation and configuration will be performed by DAI OIMT staff member. Maintenance of the installed systems is the responsibility of the IT Specialist:
HP ProLiant server running Windows Server OS (2008, 2012, 2016) with Hyper-V virtualization hosting Windows Domain Controller, Domino mail/application server, File and Print Server, DAI Proprietary PBX VOIP server.
Hosted services include Windows Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, corporate (managed) antivirus, Dynacom Field Accounting System and Windows Server Backup software (or another backup solution).
UPS with network card and temperature probe configured to monitor operating conditions and send notifications to home office.
Cisco Meraki Security Appliance and Wireless Access Points.
PoE / Gigabit Cisco network switches
Multifunctional network printers
HP desktops and laptops operating Windows OS (7 or 10 Professional), MS Office Professional Plus suite (2013, 2016, or 2016 Office 365), antivirus client, IBM Notes Client, various role based software (Adobe Acrobat, SPSS, GIS Software), full disk encryption.
Project LAN connected to the Internet (via DSL, VSAT, ISDN, Fiber Optic line etc.) and linked to Home Office via virtual private network (VPN) tunnel.
S/he will continually reinforce Policy LINK’s agreed-upon core purpose and principles, and ensure all decision-making is rooted in those purpose and principles. S/he will contribute to foster a learning environment in which personal and team growth is supported, with a shared understanding that the “team” always comes before the “individual.”
Responsibilities
Local network maintenance and troubleshooting (cabling, switch and router configuration, TCP/IP, NAT, network printing, Windows network, and Domain services; Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, WSUS).
WAN connectivity and maintenance (Internet connection and services; Broadband, leased line, ADSL, ISDN or dial-up connection and devices configuration and maintenance).
Server and server application maintenance and monitoring (physical hardware, Windows Server OS updates and maintenance, LAN and WAN connectivity, IBM Domino and messaging system, FTP services, antivirus maintenance).
Client computer hardware and application installation, configuration, troubleshooting and maintenance (laptops, desktops, Windows OS updates, approved 3rd party software updates, Microsoft Office suite, IBM Notes and other mail clients, AV client) following OIMT established procedures.
Act as the point of contact with OIMT, respond to all end user support issues and requests, escalating to OIMT as needed, perform troubleshooting steps as directed by OIMT staff during escalation.
Provide assistance to OIMT and project in local procurement of IT related equipment with regards to DAI standards.
Verify all systems (server, network, printers, and connectivity) are operational per directions of DAI OIMT.
Ensure that users can connect to the server, retrieve emails, use the Internet, and use printing facilities.
Backup is performed as instructed by home office.
Software and antivirus updates are current for all servers (host and virtual)
ANTICIPATED TIMELINE
This consulting assignment will take a total of approximately 104 working days spread over a period of performance from April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023.
DELIVERABLES
Weekly checkups
Ten hours on site, divided into no fewer than 2 visits per week.
Visually inspect all network and server hardware.
Verify the integrity of daily backups.
Review system logs and assess any errors, resolving or escalating to OIMT (backup, antivirus, UPS, Security Appliance).
Inspections of server functions and troubleshoot any failures.
Resolve end user support requests.
Log services performed to be sent monthly to project office manager and OIMT Home office.
Monthly checkups
Perform any server software updates as instructed by OIMT. This may include but is not limited to Windows Server OS updates, Domino server updates, antivirus server updates.
Perform client software updates as instructed by OIMT. This may include but is not limited to IBM Notes Client software updates, antivirus definition and software updates and MS Office software updates.
Perform 3rd party software updates for all approved software.
Remove unauthorized software as detected by OIMT monitoring tools.
Prepare the report on monthly incidents and scheduled services performed.
Quarterly checkups
Perform driver and firmware updates on server.
Perform driver and firmware updates on client computers.
Perform driver and firmware updates for printers.
Correct any outstanding issues and problems
Prepare report and send to office manager and HQ OIMT.
Other duties as needed:
Respond to and resolve critical issues: systems failure, internet outage, work stoppage issues. Notify DAI Home Office OIMT if issues cannot be resolved in a timely manner.
Resolve individual user hardware/software problems, working with OIMT / local service provider in resolving or providing replacements.
Computer setup for new employees or new software installation.
Qualifications
Required Experience:
Administration of Windows Server (2008, 2012 or 2016) & Windows Client (7 and 10 Professional) operating systems in Active Directory domain environment.
Administration of network resources (DHCP, DNS, Access Controls, Network Shares, TCP/IP Printing, RADIUS authentication)
Network administration, troubleshooting and maintenance. Familiarity with basic concepts (VLAN, Subnet, Firewall Rules).
Support of common productivity tools (Microsoft Office Suite)
Desired Experience:
- Support or basic knowledge of IBM Notes Client Administration, and replication within WAN.
Skills:
Attention to detail;
Effective communication with colleagues and stakeholders within and outside Ghana;
Ability to balance competing priorities and information shared by colleagues, policy and procedure manuals, stakeholders, etc. and produce well-informed procurement recommendations;
Professional fluency in English and Akan.
How to apply:
Qualified FEMALE candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please submit applications electronically via this website by MARCH 14
https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/mzqd5mddlj/index.html
Applications will be considered in the order received.
Candidates will be required to answer certain qualifying questions before uploading their CVs and cover letters to the application form for consideration.
Only candidates who are shortlisted for interviews will be contacted. No email enquiries please.