Mercy Corps IT Specialist Job in Kenya

Vacancy Announcement

IT Specialist Position
 

General Position Summary:
 

Mercy Corps is an international organization that aims to improve lives by focusing on disaster response, sustainable economic empowerment, health services as well as emergency and natural disaster relief. 

The IT administrator will be based at the Mercy Corps Kenya Office and he/she will provide essential IT support to the staff at the Mercy Corps Kenya Head office or any of the other offices in Kenya.
 

Key Duties

• Monitoring Mercy Corps Kenya IT Infrastructure to ensure minimal downtime and to ensure computers, printers, Access Points and other devices  to work efficiently
• Administration of the Mercy Corps Server to ensure that the installed operating systems and services function as required.
• Administration and monitoring of the Mercy Corps Kenya Local Area Network.
• Follow up with ISPs in case of downtimes to ensure reliable internet connectivity.
• User Support for staff in Mercy Corps Kenya office and other offices.
• Implementation of ICT management Systems and strategies according to MC policies.
• Implement MC filing tree in support and programs, train staff in application.
• Provide IT technical support to staff and organizing for in-house trainings to keep them informed on changing IT needs.
• Maintain and support networks administration in MC offices as well as in the Field offices.
• Assist in the installation of commercial and in-house developed software and related upgrades.
• Assist in upgrading patch and anti-virus programs on a timely basis.
• Installation and Monitoring of domain server traffic, usage and performance on a frequent and regular basis.
• Support to users in backing up and restoring their files, as well as in virus detection, removal and prevention.
• Recommend software and hardware requirement for the project for budgeting purposes.
• Respond to user needs and questions regarding network access.
• Assist in backup and restoration procedures for local drives and maintenance of backup logs.
• Inventory keeping for all IT related equipment for the project.
• Research and retrieval of data from internal and external sources; preparation of statistical charts, tables and reports as required.

Qualifications and Experience required:
 

Education:  

• Degree or diploma in computer sciences, information systems or related area from a recognized institution.
• Experience: At least 7 years of progressive experience in the area of information management/technology, computer operations or related area.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office products, notably MS Access and MS Excel. Knowledge of GIS packages (e.g. ArcGIS) is desirable.
• Extensive work familiarity with GIS systems is an highly desirable
• Exposure to a wide range of information management systems related to humanitarian operations is desirable.
• Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; fluency in Kiswahili is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently in a result oriented multi-tasking and multi-cultural environment and manage conflicting priorities.
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to explain and present technical information.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science or a technology related field.
• At least a Cisco Certified Network Associate qualification (or equivalent) with three (3) years hand-on experience in Network Administration or Systems Integration in a busy server/database administration environment.
• They should have proven knowledge on Linux and Windows Server Operating Systems
• They should have excellent communication skills
• Accountability Reports Directly To: Operations Manager
• Works Directly With:, Operations and program staff

Success Factors:

• Conscientious with an excellent sense of judgment
• Awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work.
• Proven ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to transparency, accountability and compliance with donor, organizational and national policies and regulations as pertains all procurement
• Team player

Living /Environmental Conditions:
 

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Nairobi is an accompanied post for spouse and children. Nairobi is a major metropolitan center with world class healthcare and excellent education options. 

Mercy Corps provides expatriate staff with a housing allowance that covers rent, utilities, and security for comfortable accommodations in safe areas of the city. 

Telephone and internet access is available and there are dozens of excellent restaurants along with easy transport links to the rest of Africa and Europe.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 

Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience Should submit on or before 4th June,2012 a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org

Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject; “Application for the position of IT Specialist”.   

Applications without this subject heading will be disqualified. Please do not attach any certificates.
 

(ONLY Qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted)