IT Officer & Assets Controller

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries, and has been present in Nepal since 2005. In Nepal, Mercy Corps works to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across the country. Through a systems-based approach to market development, financial services access, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and youth engagement, Mercy Corps builds resilience among target communities.

Mercy Corps invites applications from all interested and potential Nepali candidates for the following position:

IT Officer & Assets Controller  -1, based in Kathmandu

Please refer to nepal.mercycorps.org for the full position description.

“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women and members of disadvantaged groups to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.

Interested candidates are requested to submit cover letter and Mercy Corps Application Form available at http://nepal.mercycorps.org by COB June 22, 2017 to the address below: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

Attn: Human Resources Department

[Please mention the title of the Position on the subject line of the e-mail while applying]

Email to: np-jobs@mercycorps.org

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

Position Title: IT Officer & Assets Controller

Duty Station: Kathmandu ( with travel to field as required)

Position Category: Full-time AND Regular

Salary Level: 01

Current Employee: N/A

BACKGROUND:

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries and has been present in Nepal since 2005. In Nepal, Mercy Corps works to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across the country. Through a systems-based approach to market development, financial services access, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and youth engagement, Mercy Corps builds resilience among target communities.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The operations department is committed to implementing and maintaining the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in daily administration, logistics, procurement, HR, asset management and IT for field offices Nepal. The overriding objective for all Mercy Corps operations activities are the prompt and effective provision of on-time solutions Mercy Corps’ beneficiary populations in compliance with Mercy Corps’ and donor policies, procedures, regulations and specifications.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The IT Officer & Assets Controller is responsible to maintain the current IT infrastructure in Mercy Corps Nepal and ensure the proper functioning of equipment and network to meet office needs and demands in coordination and synchronizing system with the Regional IT Advisor. Ensure IT Systems are efficient and effective to support program needs. Equipment is functional and the staff is well trained to use IT equipment confidently.

As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and environmental compliance are cross-cutting and core components of the all MC programs, the Senior Human Resources Officer is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, governance practices and environmental compliance are integrated into his/her work area.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The specific duties and responsibilities of the IT Officer & Assets Controller include, but are not limited to, the following:

Information Technology

1) Installation & Configuration of:

• Servers, Network Area Storage (NAS), desktop/laptop hardware and software, and peripherals.  
• Install, configure and provide efficient user support for computing hardware and software. 
• Set up and maintain a field office IT environment including LAN, WAN, FTP Server, Linux Server, Data Backup, workstations, printers, shared file services, internet/email access, security, antivirus, UPS, voltage regulators etc.

(2) Maintenance, Repair & Security: 

• Perform preventative maintenance on all MC computers and network resources.
• Establish a clear, back-up policy for the Mercy Corps Nepal and undertake the necessary steps for this activity including designing a schedule and materials list. 
• Create backup solutions for office/individual users and provide the necessary training on the use of these back-up solutions.  Maintain all weekly and monthly basis Backups of user’s data.
• Update appropriate network security procedures to safeguard system from physical harm, viruses, unauthorized users and damage to data.
• Create and maintain MC computer software/hardware inventory ensuring accuracy.
• Create and maintain network file to include IP address, system access, email creation system etc.
• Investigate local Internet connectivity options to obtain adequate bandwidth for Intranet and application connectivity. 
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports on IT activities for the Operations Manager’s review. Establish and maintain systems for keeping an inventory of equipment, software’s, frequencies, call signs etc.
• Ensure licensed software’s are used only and systems are free from pirated software’s. 
• Under the guidance of the Operations Manager, undertake the repairing and maintaining of LAN-s, internet systems and general IT maintenance and training in MC Nepal offices as needed.
• Regularly update anti-virus and ensure the entire network and computers are virus-free.
• Oversee repair of computers and IT equipment at local level, when possible - facilitate and advise on best, safest and most economic solutions in consultation with the Operations Manager.
• Maintain an efficient Local Area Network for Mercy Corps offices. Do not change the current design of configurations without written approval after analysis by the Operations Manager.

(3) Training, Evaluation, & Testing: 

• Read and understand the Mercy corps IT Systems Policy on appropriate use. Orient staff on appropriate use and monitor activities to ensure adherence to these policies. 
• Develop and implement user and support staff training, including training on basic care and maintenance of computers and equipment for users.  
• Test and evaluate new technology.  
• Advise the technology available to help accomplish their tasks and goals, and help them develop a technology implementation plan inclusive of system design and staff training.  
• Prepare and submit trip reports that provide sufficient detail for HQ to understand the country office’s computer environment, needs, IT staff availability and skill levels and future plans. 
• Develop appropriate protocols for regular maintenance of all MC computer related equipment.
• Conduct staff training on computer basics (minor trouble shooting with computers, printers and scanners) and the use of MS Office applications and networking. Assist, as needed, with developing databases or other windows application needs for program and operational staff.
• Assist MC Staff in Uploading/Downloading of files on FTP Server of MC 
• Assist MC Kathmandu office during conference calls and web interactive sessions
• Assist in identifying specification, relocation and assembly of any equipment including Server’s, computers, printers, accessories in MC Nepal offices, as required.

Asset management:

• Reads and has a clear understanding of the Mercy Corps Asset Management Manual and all procedures;
• Ensure procedures outlined in the Mercy Corps Asset Management Manual are implemented in Mercy Corps Offices.
• Responsible for registering all new assets of Mercy Corps Kathmandu in the asset register and ensuring the appropriate tags are placed on each asset. Regularly updates asset register with changes, movements and new acquisitions;
• Responsible for coordinating with the procurement and finance office in identifying all details of assets such as buying price, ledger reference, PR, PO and GRN number etc. The asset register should be accurate and complete all the times; 
• Responsible to maintain the stock of Mercy Corps assets that are not checked out and in use;
• Responsible for checking in/out Mercy Corps owned equipment to authorized staff using the standard Mercy Corps procedures and forms outlined in the Asset Management Manual;
• Responsible for the timely preparation of documentation of any movement of assets in Mercy Corps formats;
• Schedules and conducts physical count of assets on different locations, projects and sites;
• Provides a monthly asset inventory report and physical count/check report where all assets are located and their status confirmed; coordinate with the responsible officer for tracking assets in other MC offices in Nepal to ensure the locations and status of assets that have moved between offices; 
• Update the electronic database on regular basis and provide an electronic copy to supervisor and program managers; A hard copy is printed, signed and filed in the assets folder;
• Ensure all lost, damage, sold, stolen (or other) items are properly recorded in with an approved Disposal of Assets form. Ensure any necessary, supplement documentation is completed;
• Ensures that all movement of items in country office should go through the IT officer/asset controller.
• Assists and coordinate project staff on inventory issues. Assist in providing end of project reports on inventory and equipment lists, locations and status;
• Arrange trainings and capacity building of field asset controllers with regard to asset management.
• Prepare the periodic plan for disposal process and obtain approval from the management (CD).  

Others:

• Provide recommendations and regularly update Operations Manager on the most efficient and best available internet services in the market. 
• Identify equipment and accessories required for the smooth functioning of computers and IT equipment in Mercy Corps offices. Facilitate the purchase of items through the Procurement Department.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Responsible use and confidentiality of any information identified as sensitive.
• Ensure proper integration of GESI aspects into his/her are of work as appropriate. 
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to response as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As an MC employee all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities in such situations.
• Other duties as assigned by the Country Director

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNINGS: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:  N/A

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Operations Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: All MC Staff 

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors or equivalent in Degree in IT / Computer Science / Computer Engineering. CCNA & MCSE courses desired, or equivalent experience.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in equivalent technical work experience as IT professional.
• Experience in both hardware and software requirements in local area networking (LAN), Wireless Area Network; configuration of internal email system is required. Knowledge of web designing will be a plus. 
• Exclusive knowledge of internet, proxy, pop mail, FTP Server, and TCPIP settings, Proxy Servers, Firewall (hardware & software) configuration, database management, Linux and windows based servers and applications is required.
• Experience for upright maintenance of all internet account, Logins and account status both web and outlook based.
• Ability to troubleshoot, plan and design low maintenance systems is a must. 
• Must understand, follow and implement existing policies on IT equipment use and best practices. 
• Previous experience in inventory management. 
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Proven ability to solve problems independently without direct supervision.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful IT Officer & Assets Controller should ensure efficient functioning of IT infrastructure in MC Kathmandu and Field offices. S/he should ensure staff are trained on use equipment and internet as per the desired standards set forth by the organization. IT Officer & Assets Controller in close coordination with

Operations Manager and Regional IT advisor identify IT needs and suggest solutions.  S/he should ensure all technical, administrative and management systems and standards agreed upon for Inventory/Asset by the agency is being adhered to. S/he should have the ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks.