Project Background:

The USAID Liberia Local Empowerment for Accountability and Decentralization (LEAD) project will support the Government of Liberia (GOL) in building a well-functioning governance system with effective DRM and fiscal decentralization, budget transparency, and local governance frameworks. An Integrated Governance Systems Approach will serve to facilitate synergies across the Activity’s three objectives:

1. Domestic Resource Mobilization improved; the Activity will prepare the GOL to analyze potential tax policy reports, implement the transition from GST to VAT and other tax administration improvement and enable greater fiscal decentralization
2. Budget Transparency Improved; the Activity will increase the GOL’s systems for budget and financial reporting and sharing to work towards greater measures for fiscal transparency
3. Local Development and Service Delivery Improved; the Activity will help the GOL continue building local systems and local governments’ core competencies to improve the functionality of Country Service Centers and the counties as a whole.

DAI concurrently operates the USAID Liberia Civil Society Activity (CSA), headquartered in Monrovia. The IT Specialist, while hired under the auspices of USAID Liberia LEAD, will be expected to provide support to USAID Liberia CSA as well, in an estimated 50% / 50% labor split, tracking their time accordingly.

Position Description:

The IT Specialist is responsible for oversight of IT needs for the project, including network and system management, installations, maintenance, support, and technical advice. The IT Specialist is responsible for ensuring that DAI established standards set by the DAI home office are followed and that proprietary project solutions are fully functional, efficient, and cost effective. The IT Specialist provides users support, manages relationships with outside System Support Companies (as needed).

Responsibilities also include conducting ICT assessments and preparing reports for grantees and project partners per OIMT standards to ensure that appropriate solutions (equipment, software and services) are proposed and provided to beneficiaries.

It is the responsibility of the IT Specialist to keep OIMT informed of issues and/or proposed systems modifications (hardware and software purchases) via tools provided by OIMT IT Operations team such as request templates, support email address, and OIMT Technical Approval group email address.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Network management (LAN and WAN connectivity) (Local network maintenance and installation).
• Administrate servers and DAI system and applications management.
• Client computer hardware and application installation, configuration and maintenance.
• Review project office wiring and cabling requirements and provide technical specifications for these local procurements, as required.
• Manages and administrates project implemented software.
• User support and training.
• Regular communication with the Home Office OIMT IT Operations team regarding network, system hardware and software changes/issues/updates and user registration, updates and termination.
• Provides assistance in procurement and evaluation of all IT technical equipment.
• Communicates with OIMT IT Operations team regarding implementation of special features on the system.
• Manages IT inventory and software audits (Maintain the database, add records, check proper documentation invoices, dispositions, inventory codes, follow up on equipment changes of assigned users, produce costs reports and analyze them with Oracle extracts).
• Prepares procurement specifications and SOWs for IT procurements, as per DAI standards.
• Maintains a good knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures as set forth in the project’s Field Operations Policy Manual and DAI Operations Manual.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• .
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• PC and Server support experience.
• Knowledge of Windows Server & Windows Client operating systems.
• Knowledge of Windows network services: AD, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, Print and file sharing.
• Experience with Lotus Notes Client Administration.
• Knowledge of backup and restore services, physical and logical LAN and WAN infrastructure principles, communication equipment and VPN services.
• No prior legal convictions for fraud or theft and no prior terminations for cause from a prior employer.
• Demonstrated honesty, trustworthiness, initiative and self-motivations in handling all assigned tasks.
• Must have English language proficiency, verbal and written.
• Previous DAI experience with IT services preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The IT Specialist will not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Note that this position is contingent to USAID approval, subsequently does not constitute a guarantee of employment. The terms and conditions of this position may be changed and/or rescinded at the client’s and/or DAI’s request and/or convenience.