Aidspan’s Systems Officer needs
The position of Systems Officer carries considerable
responsibility for making sure the software stacks and components used to
manage the internal and external operations of Aidspan are always in working
conditions. The position will be a supporting role to the Senior Systems
Officer, whom together will design, develop and maintain Aidspan's existing
multi-lingual database-driven website (www.aidspan.org)
and other utility applications utilized by Aidspan in its operations.
Aidspan uses a stimulating and innovative approach to
watchdogging of a financing organization. The Global Fund is a rapidly
developing organization which works at several levels to fight the epidemics.
Aidspan is focused on watching and witnessing this large agency from the
Secretariat and Board in Geneva to the implementers in 152 countries. Such a
task requires Aidspan to develop and implement resourceful information
technology strategies tailored to a broad reach. New or adapted contemporary IT
systems are required that ensure the organization can reach its stakeholders in
simple and intuitive ways.
Responsibilities
The Systems Officer will report to the Senior Systems
Officer. He/she will be involved in managing all the activities related
to designing, developing and maintaining internal and/or external Aidspan’s
information and communication technologies.
Specifically the Systems Officer will carry out
independently or with the guidance of the Senior Systems Officer the following
responsibilities:
- Manage
Aidspan remote servers; oversee all issues and service contracts relating
to them.
- Learn
to research, design, develop logic, code, test and deploy new web projects
with minimal assistance.
- Review
and compare Aidspan's current web systems and upgrade them using other
applications, scripting code or template formats as appropriate.
- Help
manage aspects of Aidspan's website (www.aidspan.org)
- Develop
contemporary software and maintain the current systems.
- Support
the Senior System Officer in design and rollout of software solutions and
systems.
- Systems
administration which includes monitoring and evaluating core computer
systems and maintaining optimum system operations.
- Develop
application documentation to explain features of new products and systems.
- Contribute
to translating user system and software requirements into software
specifications in support of solution design.
- Work
under the guidance of the Senior Systems Officer on complex projects.
- Work
closely with Aidspan's staff and selected consultants to achieve the
ogranization's vision.
- Provide
input to the development of other organisational strategies (eg ICT plan,
strategic plan, monitoring and evaluating plans, and partnerships).
Qualifications, knowledge, skills and attributes
Required:
- A
university degree in computer science or any applicable Information
Technology discipline.
- Advanced
knowledge of web protocols, programming requirements and Object Oriented
Programming languages, particularly Java, PHP, HTML, JavaScript, Python,
Groovy and SQL. This includes the ability to develop complex
dynamically-driven web pages, and to modify and debug code written by
others.
- Basic
understanding of AJAX and related modern web development techniques and
frameworks such as JQuery, ExtJS etc.
- Solid
experience in the design and admin of relational databases; MySql,
Postgres.
- Have
intermediary skills in the Drupal Content Management Framework.
- Experience
working with Unix systems: configuration and troubleshooting procedures.
- Experience
as a web server administrator (either Apache or another server).
- Knowledge
of style sheet languages such as CSS; ability to develop CSS style sheets.
- Familiarity
with data exchange formats such JSON, XML, Open Data Protocol.
- Experience
in training/ mentoring in web technologies for lay audience.
- The
ability to prioritize multiple tasks effectively and independently.
- Excellent
writing and presentation skills.
- Strong
analytical, writing and verbal communication skills.
- Well
organised self-starter, with attention to detail.
- Strong
team player, with leadership potential, good to excellent inter-personal
relationships and a good sense of humour.
Preferred:
- Ideally,
knowledge of the Global Fund (www.theglobalfund.org)
and of the data resources available at its website.
- Familiarity
with Geographical Information Systems.
- Visual
aptitude; an interest in design, particularly graphical design.
Job location
This position is based at Aidspan’s office in Nairobi,
Kenya. This is an international search but preference will be given to those
who are either citizens of Kenya, or who have documented proof that they are
permitted by the government to work in the country.
Salary and benefits
Aidspan staff are given two-year contracts and salaries are
paid in Kenya shillings. A generous salary and benefits package is
discussed after the final interviews. The salary package will be commensurate
with the candidates experience and qualifications.
Equal Opportunity
Aidspan is committed to encouraging diversity and
eliminating discrimination. There will be no discrimination on any
grounds and we encourage all qualified applicants to apply.
Next steps
If you are interested in this position, please do as
follows:
- Study
information given here and some of the key documents on Aidspan’s website
(e.g., Annual Report 2012; Annual Plan 2013, Unified Proposal 2013).
- Prepare
a cover letter of up to 1 page (addressed to Wambui Munene, Finance and
Admin Director, Aidspan) which explains (a) why you are interested in the
position; (b) how your qualifications and experience match the job
description; and (c) why you believe you are be a strong candidate. The
letter should give your salary history (in your last two positions) and
should specify your salary expectations.
- Ensure
that your CV has 3 references, who are aware of this application.
- Send
all documents (cover letter and CV) to info@aidspan.org with the subject
line: Systems Officer.
Applications must be submitted electronically by 19th October,
2013. A short list of applicants will be contacted by phone and then called
for an interview in Nairobi by mid-November, 2013. The selected
candidate should be available to start work by 7th January,
2014.
