IT Specialist - DAI

DAI is an employee-owned global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability.

Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 60 countries. Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change.

Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

Job Description

• Contract Name: USAID/Feed the Future Policy LINK
• Status: Short Term Technical Assistance (Independent Consultant)
• Period of Performance: April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023, renewable
• Supervisor: Finance & Operations Director, Ghana
• Level of Effort: Approximately 2 days/week

Position Objectives

The IT Specialist is responsible for the oversight of project IT needs as agreed upon under the contract, including 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 backup, 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 the 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. 

Required Skills or 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. 

Qualified FEMALE candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.