IT Associate at Helen Keller International

The name Helen Keller is known around the world as a symbol of courage in the face of overwhelming odds, yet she was much more than a symbol. She was a woman of luminous intelligence, high ambition and great accomplishment who devoted her life to helping others. 

Helen Keller, our co-founder, envisioned a world without barriers to human potential. Guided by her fierce optimism, we have been working on the front lines of health and well-being for more than 100 years. Working in 19 countries across Africa and Asia—as well as in the United States—we are dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition, and diseases of poverty.

In the past year, our life-changing health solutions benefited an estimated 300 million people in places where the need is great but access to care is limited.

Scope of the Position

The IT Associate assists the IT Officer in all aspects of the Country Office’s information systems, working with Global IS staff to ensure network administration, hardware and application management, security, user support and administrative functions are all properly managed. S/He keeps the inventory of all equipment, maintains network documentation, and provides desktop support.

This position requires a broad set of technical, planning, problem-solving and hands-on support skills.  Especially important is the ability to work effectively in our low-resource settings that present significant infrastructure challenges, and the ability to communicate and collaborate in our multicultural environment. Serve as the focal point resource for IT activities within the Helen Keller project offices in Nigeria, and act as primary liaison with the IS department staff in HQ and Region to ensure that the office network is configured and maintained within the parameters established by the IT Support policy.

Helen Keller has a matrixed reporting structure. Regular communication and a spirit of teamwork among colleagues, both hierarchically and laterally are essential to make this structure thrive.  This position is based in Abuja’.

Specific Responsibilities the IT Associate will be responsible for the following, under each area of accountability:

Job Responsibilities:

Infrastructure Management

•  Perform installation, maintenance and updating of local area network components, including servers, routers, switches, firewalls, peripherals, printers, network nodes, terminals, and wiring, in accordance with HKI standards. 
• Manage the internet connectivity for the office in such a way to maximize the operation and efficiency of the office.
• Maintain the supply of network and computer equipment in the country offices and plan for and implement the routine replacement of hardware components.
• Perform routine server maintenance, event tracking and performance monitoring duties; configuration and security tasks.

Network Administration

• Maintain the stability and performance of the country office networks, performing quality control, troubleshooting steps and working with vendors and service providers to isolate, diagnose and resolve network problems.

PC and Application Management

• Perform PC configurations, per HKI IS Standards
• Perform application installation, configuration, testing and upgrade tasks, per HKI IS Standards

Network Security

•  Support the Information Systems department defence Strategies against malware and intrusion, recommending strategies, applications, or services as necessary.
• Manage the office’s firewall and VPN, and anti-malware applications.

Data Security

• Support that data backup and recovery systems Strategies, per HKI IS Standards.
• Configure and maintain the use of One Drive for Business and SharePoint for staff file management, and train staff in the proper monitoring and use of these tools.

User Support

• Provide desktop support services to office staff, performing problem identification and resolution for user problems.
• Perform an Information Systems orientation for new staff, and periodic refresher training for all staff

Required Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively in teams and cross-cultural settings. Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management and personal organization skills.
• Ability to respond rapidly to shifting implementation scenarios.
• Comfortable working in a matrixed, integrated work environment.
• Confident giving and receiving feedback in a direct, professional manner.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology or a combination of relevant education and experience; A+ or Network+ certification preferred.
• Experience with network technologies, including local-area network (LAN) protocols, wide-area network (WAN) protocols, IP routing, DHCIP, DNS, TFTP, and WINS.
• Strong Excel and database skills (Access, MySQL, SQL Server)
• Experience with network hardware, including routers, switches, hubs, and CSU/DSU. 
• High degree of computer literacy, proficiency in IT infrastructure configuration, and demonstrated advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications required.
• Knowledge of other commercial database applications, including SQL, and inventory control. 
• Experience supporting accounting packages helpful.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work independently.
• Fluency in English, including speaking, reading, and writing, with the ability to conduct business in English.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Nigeria and internationally, as needed.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to travel regularly to the project states (Bauchi, Kebbi, Ebonyi, FCT and Sokoto) as needed.

Terms & Conditions

This is a local posting in Nigeria, and as such, is subject to local terms and conditions.

Method of Application