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ICT Manager

Africa Rice Center - Cotonou (Bénin)

About the employer / working context

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is seeking a highly qualified  ICT Manager to strengthen its 
Information  and  Communication  Technology  Unit.  The  position  is  based  at  AfricaRice’s Temporary Headquarters in Cotonou, Benin. 

About AfricaRice 
AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the 
CGIAR  Consortium.  It  is  also  an  autonomous  intergovernmental  association  of  African 
member countries.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Nature and Scope

The  ICT  Manager  will  have  the  overall  responsibility  for  the  management  and 
development of the AfricaRice’s Information and Communications Technology needs. 
S/He  will  recommend,  develop,  and  administer  information  and  communications 
technology policies and procedures to support the short and long term ICT, especially 
in the service delivery spectrum  

• S/He will make decision on ICT infrastructure, services and operations and ensure that they operate efficiently, perform within agreed targets and deliver a secure platform for AfricaRice to carry out its activities.  
• S/He will manage, co‐ordinate and motivate the ICT team. 

 S/He will organize, direct, control and coordinate quality accredited ICT projects. 

Reports to

The Director of Administration and Finances (DAF).  

Responsibilities 

Specifically, s/he is responsible for: 

Strategic Management 

1. Develop  and  oversee,  in  conjunction  with  the  Management  Team,  the  strategy 
development and strategy implementation processes, and the annual operating plans and 
budgets of the ICT Unit.  
2. Advise  on  the strategic  direction  of  key  electronic  resources  including  websites  and 
information databases.  
3. Research new technologies in information technology and provide recommendations to 
the  Management    to  support  the  strategic  direction  of  both  the  department  and organization;  
4. Establish  and maintain relationships with  external service  providers  and suppliers  and 
other local and international organizations to better understand and  contribute to the 
CGIAR’s ICT environment. 

Develop  and  implement  the  AfricaRice’s  ICT  strategy  including  product  and  service 
technology development and support.   
6. Plan for ICT Projects as well as for new and replacement equipment required to provide 
the ICT services at HQ, in regional stations and country offices.

 
ICT Support 
7. Oversee  ICT support  and  ensure  the  provision  of  IT  infrastructure services, systems 
support and maintenance.  
8. Ensure maximum availability of computer systems; 
9. Act as an ICT specialist by delivering from time to time solutions to  complex technical 
issues.  
10. Proactively identify and develop new and innovative ways of disseminating information to 
clients. 

Organisation and Resources 
11. Manage the ICT department include staff management, rostering and leave 
12. Lead, motivate  and  develop the  capability  of the  ICT team, to  achieve  agreed  annual 
targets. 
13. Prepare  and  update  a  work‐plan  for  the  delivery  and  ongoing  development  of  the 
AfricaRice’s ICT function. 
14. Manage effectively the deployment of resources, budgets and staff in the ICT function in 
order to achieve the overall targets under his/her responsibility. 
15. Provide staff training to  both  internal  and  business stakeholders, where required  and 
appropriate. 
16. Undertake such other duties as may be assigned by the DAF from time to time. 

Job Qualifications & Skills / Selection Criteria

Qualifications/Selection Criteria 
Education: Master’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent 

Work Experience:

A minimum of 7 years in the ICT service environment with at least 5 years’ 
experience in a similar position 

• Microsoft  Certified  Systems  Engineer  (MCSE)  or  ICT  Security  Certification  or Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
• Experience  of  leading  a  technical  team  in  the  delivery  of  ICT  infrastructure  and applications. Good knowledge of the Agresso Business World ERP is an asset. 
• Experience  of  managing  a  service  desk,  system  administration  and  technical infrastructure staff.  
• Relevant  work  experience  in  private  or  publicly funded  international  development organizations is an asset
• Experience working in Africa countries or multi‐cultural environments.

Key Competencies Required:  

strong knowledge of Microsoft infrastructure and products :  

• Windows Server 2008 (installation, Disaster recovery, maintenance)  
• Exchange 2007/2010 
• Active Directory (or LDAP) 
• MS ISA Server/TMG (or Cisco ASA + VPN) 
• Knowledge of virtual environments such as VMWare and HyperV 
• Experience in managing cloud hosted systems including distributed Active Directory system

 

Working  knowledge  of  routing  protocols  including  BGP4,  OSPF,  RIP,  EIGRP  and 
knowledge of the Internet concepts and routing architecture is desired.  

• Extensive knowledge of layers 2 ‐ 7 switching concepts is required. 
• Working knowledge of load balancing technologies, firewalls, IDS, and DNS is desired
• Strong knowledge of Linux is an asset.  
• Working knowledge of VSAT technology is required. 
• Ability to learn and respond to demands in a fast‐paced, highly technical environment and to manage multiple projects and responsibilities is required. 
• Ability  to  follow  problem/change  management  and  other  internal  processes  and escalate issues to management and vendors.
• Good organizational, time management and service delivery skills are required.  

The ideal candidate must have: 

• Excellent customer service skills: 
• Patience 
• Clear and professional communication 
• Ability to communicate technical information to non‐technical personnel 
• Strong documentation skills 
• Service attitude is a must; 
• Demonstrated  ability  to  contribute  thoughtful  planning,  careful  execution,  and effective teamwork; 
• Ability to  collaborate with  other  IT  professionals  and,  as  needed,  various  external consultants/vendors;  
• Well organized – ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously; 
• Capable of working both independently or within a team; 
• Must be self‐driven and able to work without supervision; 
• Flexibility to adapt to varying environments. 
• Well‐developed presentation and negotiation skills 
• Must be able to supervise and motivate others.  

Language 
The candidate should communicate fluently (orally and in writing) in English or French with a 
good working knowledge of the other language. 

Terms and Conditions 

• This is an  internationally recruited position. 
• AfricaRice  provides  an  attractive salary  and  benefits  package  and  a  collegial  and gender‐sensitive working environment. 
• The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility for renewal.  

AfricaRice is an equal opportunity employer. AfricaRice believes that staff diversity promotes excellence in its operations and particularly welcomes applications from women and developing countries. 
Expressions  of  interest  together  with  a  full  CV  (MS Word  format)  and  supporting  statement, 
highlighting  your  experience  and  skills  against  the functions  of  the  role  should  be  directed  in 
confidence to:  

Ms  Serena  Teng,  Lead  Consultant, SRI  Executive,  

Phone:  +353  1  6675008.  

Email: steng@sri‐executive.com .

Applications will be considered until the position is filled. 
To learn more about AfricaRice, please visit our website at www.AfricaRice.org 

 

Additional Information about the position

Position Type: Temps plein

Working Hours: Horaire normal

Working Language: Anglais

Second Language: Français

Salary: Voir annonce

Closing Date: 2014-03-31

Application

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