IT & MIS Specialist - ACDI/VOCA

Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. 

Job Description

Overview

The USAID-funded Ghana Market Systems and Resilience Activity (MSR) is a five-year, $35.9M follow-on Activity to the USAID/Ghana ADVANCE II. The MSR Activity will leverage over a decade of experience linking smallholders to markets, inputs, and services in Ghana.

The Activity will strengthen commercial relationships between market actors, improve the rural entrepreneurship ecosystem to enable greater market participation, particularly for women and youth, expand the availability of agribusiness services, and link targeted policy initiatives to improved local economic governance

These activities will result in competitive, stronger, and more resilient markets, thus increasing inclusive agriculture-led economic growth in northern Ghana.

Under its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking experienced and talented professionals for the IT & MIS Specialist position. The IT & MIS Specialist is an expert level role based in Tamale, Ghana and responsible for handling all aspects of IT support to the Tamale, Accra, Bolgatanga and Wa offices of the MSR Activity. The position reports directly to the Operations Manager and works closely with the Measurement Evaluation and Learning (MEL) department to actualize the IT and MIS needs of the Activity.

The position is responsible for managing the overall IT demands including networking, general configurations, software management and security of all IT software and equipment in conformity with USAID standards and best practice. The position will equally support the MIS needs of the Activity in the form of syntax generation, data entry/cleaning, dashboard update and generation of infographics and other reports from the Activity MIS/MEL platforms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. IT Infrastructure Management: Oversee and maintain all IT systems, including servers, computers, tablets, phones, network equipment, and communications hardware, ensuring optimal functionality across the Tamale, Accra, Wa and Bolgatanga offices.

2. IT Support and Troubleshooting: Provide troubleshooting support for all IT-related issues, including hardware, software, network, and printer problems. Offer timely support to staff for resolving technical emergencies.

3. Installation of IT Systems: Assist in the procurement, installation, and configuration of IT systems, ensuring alignment with project needs and budgets. Manage relationships with internet service providers (ISPs) to ensure uninterrupted services.

4. Data Backup and System Security: Perform regular data backups and enforce disaster recovery procedures. Maintain system integrity, ensuring that all computers have current antivirus protection and security protocols are followed.

5. Staff Training and Technical Support: Train and support staff in utilizing IT and MIS infrastructure, providing guidance on system use and best practices to optimize productivity and data management.

6. MIS Data Flow and Processing: Support the management of the flow, validation, and processing of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) data, ensuring timely and accurate data entry. Support the monitoring of data collection activities, ensuring compliance with quality standards.

7. Data Visualization and Reporting: Provide data analysis and visualizations to support project reporting. Support the creation of reports, data models, and visual representations of the Activity performance, presenting insights to management and stakeholders.

8. MIS System Design and Integration: Support the design and integration of new tools into the project’s MIS framework, adapting it as needed to accommodate changes in the Activity requirements. Collaborate with technical teams to continuously improve the MIS.

Required Skills or Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in the fields of Computer Science or Management Information Systems, Data Analytics or other related field is required.
• Advance knowledge of MS suites including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher and SharePoint.
• Minimum of five years of experience in IT management, relational database administration, data analysis and data visualization. Previous experience in data/system management is essential. Prior experience managing large relational databases and demonstrated experience in validation of complex data with shifting requirements and strict deadlines will be an advantage.
• Experience administering an office network, including ISP relations and remote user connectivity.
• Specialization in TCP/IP protocols, basic programming and the use of data management platforms such as Power Bi, ActivityInfo, RedCap, Kobocollect is required.
• Knowledge of PC/hardware maintenance, updating and troubleshooting is required.
• Experience working with a research or non-profit setting and familiarity with USAID or other international donor requirements is preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and evaluative skills.

Salary: Starts at $1000 monthly