IT SPECIALIST , East Africa Trade and Investment Hub

The East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (the Hub) is the U.S. government’s flagship project under the presidential Trade Africa initiative, launched in 2013 to boost trade and investment with and within Africa. The Hub partners with East African and U.S. businesses to attract investment needed to transform the East African private sector into vibrant global trading partners. Improving the region’s trade competitiveness, encouraging the diversification of exports beyond natural resources, and promoting broader, more-inclusive economic growth will lead to more food secure and resilient East African communities.

The goal of the Hub is to deepen regional integration, increase the competitiveness of select regional agricultural value chains, promote two-way trade with the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and facilitate investment and technology to drive trade growth intra-regionally and to global markets.

OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES:

The IT Specialist is responsible for the IT needs of the Hub’s office, including system installations, maintenance, and technical support. S/he is responsible for ensuring that standards set by the DAI home office are followed and project solutions are the most efficient and cost effective. S/he will ensure that proper back up, anti-virus and disaster recovery procedures are identified and followed and that end users have access to shared files, printers and email. The IT Specialist is responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions:

• Manage and troubleshoot all software, servers, local networks and IP PBX system.
• Assess local availability of IT equipment.
• Assist in procuring and providing staff with appropriate IT and communications equipment (cell phones, satellite phones, laptops, cartridges, toner etc.)
• Negotiate service arrangements with Kenyan and regional ICT service providers.
• Check systems in order to optimize performance and initiate recovery action after system failures.
• Make suggestions for network hardware and software system improvements.
• Maintain inventory register of IT and communication equipment.
• Provide IT support assistance to project staff including but not limited to on-site and telephonic support for day-to-day project office ICT operations.
• Assist in new workstation setup and inductions.
• Ensure IT data is backed up and recovery procedures are adhered to.
• Ensure users have access to shared resources, namely printers, scanners and network drivers and any others.
• Conduct regular preventive maintenance of ICT equipment, air conditioners and biometric system.
• Follow-up any warranty issues with the relevant warranty centers.
• Perform operating system upgrades.
• Assist DAI Home Office with any IT related issue in the hub.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in IT or other relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience developing and managing IT solutions, ideally on USAID funded projects.
• Excellent writing, speaking, and reading skills in English.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The IT Specialist will have no supervisory responsibilities.

BASE OF OPERATIONS:

• Nairobi, Kenya

REPORTING:

• The IT Specialist will report to the Administrative, Human Resources, and Procurement Manager.

Interested applicants should apply via the link https://daieatradehub.formstack.com/forms/it_specialist by January 29, 2016, 5.00pm East Africa Local time. Only candidates who send their information by applying through the link and by the deadline will be eligible. Visit http://www.eatradehub.org/dai_opportunities to view the scope of work and learn more about the Hub.

DAI is an equal opportunity employer.