Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) IT Assistant Job in Nairobi Kenya

Position: IT Assistant
 

Deadline to Apply: 17th October 2014
 

Start Date: 1st November 2014
 

Location: Nairobi
 

Report To: Operations Coordinator – Procurement, Logistics & IT
 

Eligibility: Position open to local Kenyan hires only

About Innovations for Poverty Action: Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a non-profit research organization that creates and evaluates approaches to solving development problems. IPA disseminates the results of its evaluations to policymakers, practitioners, investors and donors around the world.
 

About the IT department: IPA’s IT department supports 5 field offices in Kenya namely Nairobi, Kisumu, Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia. 

The IT Department's mission is to provide IT support required for the fulfilment of the IPA’s mission in an efficient and effective manner through building competencies in the technical analysis, design, procurement, implementation, operation and support of computing infrastructure and services. 

The IPA IT Department is a highly demanding computing environment, offering support to over 200 users countrywide.
 

Duties and responsibilities of the IT Assistant:
 

Operational/Tactical support

• Hardware support – offer repair and replacement of faulty computer hardware
• User support and assistance – this entails troubleshooting problems users face as they use computers and assisting them on how to resolve them.
• User training on usage of various hardware and software. (especially for new users)
• Antivirus software management and update – we schedule updates for antivirus to ensure security of computer systems.
• Spyware and Adware Removal – includes scanning and removal of viruses from computers.
• Microsoft Application Support –offer support on usage of Microsoft applications such as MS Office.
• Microsoft Update Management – schedule updates for Microsoft Windows and software applications installed on computers.
• Installation of newly procured hardware and software.
• Network support – Troubleshooting network and internet connectivity ensuring maximum uptime to support business operations.
• Network security and access – managing network access passwords and only allowing network access to authorized users.
• Bandwidth management and monitoring – ensuring bandwidth is used for work related internet traffic only.
• Telecommunication support - Management and maintenance of PABX and IP phones. Creating phone extensions and assigning them to users
• Email support - Email account creation and setup for new hires including maintenance of existing google groups within IPA-K.
• IT orientation – assisting with the on boarding process for new hires
• Handling monthly IT service provider payments i.e. for Internet and printing service providers and liaise with the Operations Coordinator on contractual matters with the providers.
• Data Security and encryption with routine back up services. Implement effective measures that promote security of our internal communication systems.

Procurement – with close guidance from the Operations Coordinator.

• Providing technical advice on specifications of computer hardware and software the organization intends to procure.
• Keeping inventory of newly acquired and existing IT inventory.
• Quality checks to ensure acquired genuine IT products and services.
• Recommending and establishing strong contacts with reliable vendors for product/service delivery.

Advisory/Consultation

• Offering technical advice on new IT technologies that can benefit business operations.
• Assisting in making decisions on what technologies (hardware/software) to acquire in order to carry out their operations.

Strategy

• Overseeing the IT department operations organization whilst ensuring follow up and completion of assigned tasks to the department.
• Roll out of new systems; testing, analysis and implementation.
• Implementing existing IT policies and recommendation of new policies that would increase efficiency within the organization.
• Following up with IT service providers to ensure the organization gets value for its money.
• Research on new IT trends and analyzing their benefits and threats to the organization.
• Reporting to senior management on a monthly basis on tasks assigned to the department, advising on the status, challenges faced and how the challenges were overcome.

To apply please send a cover letter and detailed CV, 3 references, daytime phone number(s), and email address. 

Your CV should include your scores or grades and other measures of academic achievement, and details about any relevant work experience.

Applications can be submitted to any of our branch offices, or by email to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org please ensures that the subject line reads: “IT ASSISTANT.” REF NO: FK-2014-10-01. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a ROLLING BASIS
 

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the (IT Assistant). The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs-kenya@poverty-action.org.