IT Network Administrator

Position: Network Administrator

Report to: IT Manager

Location: Kigutu

Organization Background:

Village Health Works (VHW) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. It is a social justice organization founded on the belief that health equity is not a commodity but a right. Founded in partnership with the communities we currently serve, VHW’s mission is to provide the neediest high quality, compassionate health care and education based on critical thinking in a dignified environment. VHW’s holistic approach integrates clinical services with education, food security, economic development, environmental protection, music and the arts. In the context of where we currently work, this is the only way we can sustainably end extreme, multigenerational scarcity in a way that uplifts and engages communities with dignity and in their own context. We believe that the lack of access to quality healthcare and education is the biggest threat to development and world peace.

Currently VHW operates in a wide array of clinical and community programs in a catchment area of over 200,000 people within the provinces of Rumonge and Bururi, though its doors are open for every patient regardless of where that patient is coming from. Our first clinic attends over 51,000 outpatient consultations per year. Since 2007 until summer 2023, our 60-bed inpatient wards have been providing basic adult and pediatric non-operative inpatient services including treatment of malnutrition, mental health, chronic and acute diseases and uncomplicated obstetrical deliveries. These services have been administered by our staff of generalist physicians under the supervision of our current Medical Director.

Village Health Works has embarked on a plan to expand our clinical services to provide comprehensive quality medical care and training. To achieve this goal, VHW has constructed and officially opened an 85,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art teaching hospital with several services that include surgery, obstetric deliveries, intensive care, pediatrics and neonatology, emergency, pathology lab, medical education and research center, etc.To provide excellent patient care and training we must expand the scope and skills of the healthcare providers through training, teaching and research, hiring through rigorous development and implementation of systems and structures, policies and procedures that are framed by high quality norms and international standards.

Additionally, VHW has established the Kigutu International Academy, a grade 9-12 boarding school to equip young minds with an education based on critical thinking to prepare them to become the leaders we wish their country and the continent to have for a better future.

Our core values are as follows:

● Every member of VHW’s team must value the dignity inherent in each individual, aspire to excellence in all we do, proceed with boldness and perseverance.

● Compassion and justice must be at the heart of our organization.

● To accomplish the mission of our organization we all must be accountable to each other and to our community.

Responsibilities:

• Install, configure, and maintain network hardware (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.).
• Set up and configure network devices such as LANs, WANs, VLANs, and VPNs.
• Monitor and optimize the performance of networks to ensure they operate efficiently.
• Update and patch network infrastructure to ensure it remains secure and up-to-date.
• Diagnose and resolve network issues, including hardware failures, connectivity problems, and network slowdowns.
• Provide technical support to end-users and departments in resolving network-related issues.
• Monitor network traffic and respond to alerts or anomalies.
• Implement and manage network security protocols to protect data from unauthorized access.
• Set up firewalls, VPNs, and other security measures to safeguard network integrity.
• Regularly perform network security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Manage and configure network access controls and permissions.
• Continuously monitor network performance and traffic patterns using monitoring tools (e.g., Nagios, PRTG, SolarWinds).
• Generate regular reports on network health, performance, and usage for management.
• Track network bandwidth usage and ensure that the network operates within its capacity.
• Document network configurations, changes, and troubleshooting steps.
• Maintain and update network diagrams, IP address schemes, and device inventories.
• Develop and enforce network usage policies and best practices for staff members.
• Implement network backup systems and disaster recovery plans for critical data and configurations.
• Ensure data is backed up regularly and is recoverable in the event of a system failure.
• Work closely with other IT teams (e.g., systems administrators, security professionals) to ensure smooth IT operations.
• Provide training to staff members on network policies, security protocols, and troubleshooting steps.
• Assist with the deployment of new network projects, upgrades, and expansions.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers for hardware, software, and services related to networking.

Skills & Qualifications:

1. Technical Skills:

• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and other networking protocols.
• Proficiency in network management tools (e.g., PRTG, Wireshark, PuTTY, Nagios).
• Experience with firewalls, routers, switches, and other networking hardware.
• Familiarity with cloud networking and hybrid environments (e.g., AWS, Azure).
• Expertise in network security tools and concepts (e.g., firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS).
• Hands-on experience with virtualization technologies and related network setups.
• Knowledge of network cabling (fiber, copper) and Wi-Fi technologies.

1. Soft Skills:

• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills to explain technical issues to non-technical staff.
• Ability to work well under pressure and handle emergencies or outages.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects effectively.

1. Certifications (Preferred but not required):

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• CompTIA Network+.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
• Microsoft Certified : Azure Network Engineer Associate
• Other relevant certifications.

1. Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Networks and Telecommunications or a related field is often required, though equivalent work experience may also be considered.

1. Experience:

• 2-5 years of experience in network administration, infrastructure management, and security are required.
• Experience with network design, implementation, and troubleshooting is essential.

1. Languages:

• Required : Fluency in both written and spoken English and French.
• Desirable : French and Kirundi (oral and written).

1. Required documents:

• Cover Letter
• Updated CV
• Certified copy of diplomas and training certificates
• Certificate of Service or other documents proving experience
• 3 reference persons