USAID looks for Іnfоrmation Cоmmunications Technologies (ICT) Manager/SysAdmin

Since 2018, USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) has focused its activities on eastern Ukraine. In 2022, it expanded its geography of cooperation to other regions due to Russia’s full-scale invasion and occupation of part of Ukraine. In 2023, given the military and political circumstances and challenges, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) changed ERA’s priorities.

ERA is one of the implementers of the U.S. Government’s Interagency Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI – Ukraine), which aims to support Ukrainian agricultural production and exports and help address the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine. USAID supports the Government of Ukraine, including working with the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI) and the State Customs Service, through ERA, to modernize border crossing points to improve grain trade and exports, passenger traffic, and perceptions of Ukraine. ERA is also implementing the Economic Stability and Recovery Initiative (ESRI), which focuses on job retention and creation and assists small and medium-sized enterprises.

USAID ERA prioritizes work on AGRI and rehabilitating EU-facing border crossing points (BCPs). The AGRI component is extending its technical assistance to Ukrainian Agri-traders and logistics companies supporting them in increasing capacity and potential of grain export logistics. The BCP component includes complex construction management and procurement of equipment and service for BCPs to become more efficient in processing big cargos of grain and other commodities through the border.

About the job

The ICT Manager assumes a pivotal role in establishing and overseeing the project’s IT System management, encompassing the integration of new hardware and software for program operations or essential upgrades. A key responsibility involves the comprehensive management of the project’s ICT network and computer equipment, ensuring the optimal maintenance and functioning of servers and other technological assets. Moreover, the ICT Manager takes a proactive stance in implementing and managing robust IT security systems, which is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring compliance with pertinent regulations. The ICT Manager oversees the team of two IT officers ensuring equipment provision and IT safety and security in three offices, namely Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa, which means maintaining IT infrastructure and ensuring seamless operations across multiple locations, further highlighting the significance of effective IT management.

The ICT Manager is at the forefront of maintaining a secure and reliable IT environment for all stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of data integrity and confidentiality. Operating within a collaborative team environment, the ICT Manager engages in close coordination with both Operations and Technical teams. This role entails managing IT systems and assessing, enhancing, and aligning IT security measures with industry best practices to mitigate potential risks and vulnerabilities. This position is based at the Lviv ERA office and operates under the supervision of the Senior Finance and Operations Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the strategic organization and continuous oversight of the project’s IT infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration of new hardware and software to support program operations or essential upgrades.
• Identify, assess, and manage the procurement needs of IT equipment across three offices – Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa – collaborating with Procurement Team to ensure timely and cost-effective acquisition while adhering to organizational procurement protocols.
• Take charge of the comprehensive management of the project’s ICT network and computer equipment, overseeing the optimal maintenance and ensuring the smooth functioning of servers and other technological assets.
• Use established DAI ICT Security protocols and guidelines to design, implement, and manage robust IT security systems to safeguard sensitive data, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and mitigating potential cybersecurity threats.
• Document and articulate security standards for a wide range of products, including network devices, virtual machines, mobile devices, and application development;
• Maintain a vigilant approach to ensure data integrity and confidentiality, playing a pivotal role in upholding a secure and reliable IT environment for all stakeholders involved.
• Monitor compliance with security processes, policies, and procedures;
• Conduct regular risk identification and assessment of Infrastructure & Business Systems security;
• Configure and manage dashboards and reports to improve monitoring of security controls;
• Maintain ICT disaster recovery plans and ensure they are documented, implemented and tested;
• Manage the ICT Needs Assessment (Needs Assessment, Report and Recommendations, Preparing Specifications and implementation plans, preparing approval documentation, Procurement, Implementation and transfer of ICT systems/solutions, Monitoring and Evaluation);
• Coordinate user management for all staff and maintain confidentiality of all passwords and other restricted information;
• Maintain the project servers’ maintenance throughout three ERA offices. Ensure that the servers are being regularly backed up and functioning properly;
• Work with the Administration Procurement Assistant to maintain a list of the project’s IT related inventory;
• Coordinate checking systems in order to optimize performance and initiate recovery action after system failures;
• Take a leadership role in ensuring efficient and effective IT management across the specified offices, emphasizing the importance of streamlined IT operations, technical excellence, and proper equipment provisioning.

ICT Support for Grants and Procurement

• Visit beneficiary institutions to conduct IT assessments per DAI procedures to assess existing IT systems, human resources, and the needs of potential beneficiary institutions.
• Provide detailed ICT Assessment Reports with recommendations.
• Prepare ICT implementation plans, training methodology and plans per DAI standards, and procedures while working to ensure ICT project sustainability.
• Coordinate implementation of proposed ICT solutions, projects, and training events.
• Provide ICT policies and procedures documentation drafts for beneficiaries if none exists or suggest improvements in current policies and procedures.
• Coordinate procurement and ICT implementation plans and help mitigate risks.
• Provide and implement Change Control Plans where necessary.
• Coordinate ICT implementation with representatives of the beneficiary institutions and provide implementation reports.

About you

• MBA/MA in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. Relevant certifications in IT management, IT System Administration, security, or project management are a strong plus.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in IT management, including network infrastructure, hardware/software integration, IT security, and equipment procurement.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and managing robust IT security systems, including knowledge of Windows Server & Windows Client operating systems, as well as knowledge of Windows network services: AD, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, Print and file sharing.
• Proficiency in a wide range of IT technologies, including network administration, hardware maintenance, software deployment, cloud computing, and server management.
• High level of integrity, maintaining confidentiality and adhering to ethical standards in handling sensitive information.
• Ability to respond effectively to time-sensitive demands and inquiries.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks. Excellent organizational skills and ability to work as part of a team;
• An extremely well-organized and self-directed individual with sound analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus;
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

Benefits: all benefits envisaged by the Labor Code of Ukraine, corporate medical insurance for employees and immediate family members.

Start date: October 2023

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to [email protected]

Closing date for applications: October 8, 2023.

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