IT and IM Officer

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.
The IFRC Africa Region has 15 Country Cluster Delegations (CCDs) across the Africa Region.

The IT officer being recruited will be under the IFRC Maputo, CCD for Mozambique and Angola to support the co-implementation of the Disaster Risk Management Strengthening in the Southern Africa Development Community (DRMSS) Project funded by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). The overall objective of the DRMSS Project is to contribute to the reduction of the impacts of natural and human-caused hazards, strengthen disaster (risk) management, and regional capacity for preparedness and response and contribute to increased resilience.
The project is being implemented by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat through a Multi-Partner Contribution Agreement with the IFRC who in turn works closely with the UNOCHA (UN Office Coordination Humanitarian Affairs) and UN-Habitat in areas of comparative advantage and technical expertise. A key part of IFRC role in the project is to operationalise the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) of which having an efficient IT support will be key to its success.

Job Purpose

To provide efficient IT services to the SHOC and the IFRC Maputo, Country Cluster Delegation for Mozambique and Angola by ensuring the network configurations and maintenance of computers, providing Direct User Assistance, ensuring online platforms and Applications Stay Up and Running and offering any other required IT support needed to keep the SHOC operational. Ensuring consistence and harmonized connection with other humanitarian emergency operational centres, when necessary, in scaling up quality and coverage of anticipatory or disaster response. He /she will be responsible for providing support to strengthen the SHOC IT infrastructure, including the promotion of innovative technology that allows emergency responders to share various details about any incident, including the GPS location and images via mobile devices. The position will ensure that the IFRC’s digital approach in disaster response strategies, standards, approaches, protocols, and tools are adopted, understood and practiced.

In addition to the IT technical role, the position will require the execution of some IM (Information Management) roles to contribute to the implementation of the project. Also, the IT officer is expected to report challenges that could impede or delay the project’s implementation.
The IT Officer is a member of the IFRC Maputo, CCD for Mozambique and Angola Team hence is under the security and administrative management of the Head of Country Cluster Delegation but is outposted to Nacala. The technical reporting line of this position is the DRMSS project manager based in Maputo, who shall define the position’s technical and operational priorities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Information Technology (IT) Support.

•Support the budgeting, planning, and deployment of IT and Telecommunications systems in accordance with IFRC standards.

•Follow standard IT procedures in emergency preparedness and contingency planning practices to ensure the SHOC can maintain basic IT services and/or quickly respond and deploy resources for operations.

•Operate an IT helpdesk for rendering prompt, professional and friendly assistance to users who report different ICT incidents and problems.

•Be able to Troubleshoot systems and network problems, diagnosing and solving hardware or software faults

•Provide firsthand hardware and software diagnosis and co-ordinate the operational aspects of hardware maintenance and servicing of computer equipment.

•Install, maintain, and upgrade computer equipment, software and peripherals in accordance with Federations standards. This task includes ensuring that all computer software and antivirus applications are up to date.

•Assist in development of necessary in-house capacities for the efficient use of IT and telecommunication resources.

•Provide technical support to workshops and meetings both on-site and off-site including preparation, installation, and operation of equipment for virtual meetings.

•Establish and keep updated an inventory of all information Technology equipment at the SHOC and provide regular updates to the DRMSS project manager and Regional IT manager.

•Provide end–user support for web-based federation systems including those for Finance, Reporting, e-contract, e-travel etc.

•Coordinate with Partner agencies to network, align activities and support possibilities of inter-agency collaboration in IT and Telecommunications for efficient EOC (Emergency Operations Center).

•Provide backstopping to the other Cluster offices as also may be required.
Information Management and Other Support

•Support the Cluster office ensuring data collection, preparations, analysis and visualization are conducted based on IFRC standards.

•Work with the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Department (PMER) to develop reports as required.

•Produce accurate maps and other representations of data for use in both engagement with partners and work activities.

•Enhance information sharing across the project and with partners.

•Provide support, including procedural documentation and relevant reports

•Provide technical support on data management activities such as surveys, secondary data reviews, statistical analysis and predictive analytics.

Education

• University Degree in Information Technology or related discipline.
• Advanced University degree in computer Science, or equivalent plus Microsoft MCSE and / or Cisco CCNA Certification.
• Microsoft MCSE or Cisco CCNA qualification, GIS, Management Information systems or data Science.
• Technical qualification in IT or related discipline.

Experience

• Five years or more of post-graduate progressively responsible professional experience in telecommunication and IT systems analysis, design, and development.
• 3-year minimum of work in computer systems (LAN, WAN TCP/IP connectivity, E-mail, application and user support domains)
• 2-year experience in data collection, analysis and visualization
• Has performed user support activities resulting in timely, high-quality delivery of services to the user community, including the emergency operations user community
• Has assisted in the design and implementation of ITIL service management systems for handling customer requests.
• Experience in the development, deployment, and delivery of telecommunication and IT solutions and/or services preferably in field emergency operations.
• Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent.
• Experience in providing training and facilitating workshops

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Excellent computer skills (Windows10, Windows Server, Etc.) Technical Skills computer hardware maintenance & repair.
• Skills in wireless technologies and online platforms.
• Fluent spoken and written English and Portuguese.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.