Head of MIS and IT

PURPOSE

This position leads and directs IT department of PSDF; Develop IT plans aligned with PSDFs future direction; Designs and manages implementation of IT applications & infrastructure projects; Establishes IT policies and procedure inclusive of Information Security and Disaster Recovery; Manages IT operations and ensures timely & seamless IT support to all departments. These responsibilities are carried out WITH the objective to optimally meet organizational technology requirements, ensure seamless support and continuous technological improvement WITHIN  the limits of established company policies and procedures, departmental objectives, directions/guidelines from COO and Project Scope.

COMMUNICATION

External

Vendors: Shares IT application and infrastructure requirements through RFP and receives proposal from Third Party. Interacts to perform technical assessment/evaluation of vendors. Negotiates and finalizes contractual terms inclusive of commercial terms in coordination with the supervisor. Coordinates for annual renewal of SLAs. Coordinates with vendors and suppliers for timely delivery and installation of products & services. Discusses and finalizes implementation approach and methodology. Seeks support for resolution of escalated issues.

The challenging communication for this position is to convince vendors for compliance with agreed specifications as per the contractual terms and conditions.

Internal

All Departments: Discuss, analyzes & understand requirements for modification in existing applications / IT maintenance required and also maps requirements for new applications and hardware. Facilitates for resolution of all escaladed matters. Educates and recommend ideas for appropriate solutions. Schedules for projects with relevant departments and follows up to ensure compliance

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education & Relevant Experience :

Master in IT (CS, Software Engineering) with at-least 8 to 10 years’ relevant experience of IT project & support management experience in reputed organizations inclusive of 2 year software/application, web development related projects and experience in managing the cloud-based applications, services and infrastructure, 2 year experience of managing network infrastructure and 3-5 years managerial experience in a reputed organization.

Knowledge

• Good understanding of business policies, procedures and TVET/Development sector its dynamics, trends and technical/operational structure with a particular focus on IT
• Knowledge and certification of project management
• Knowledge and certification of CCNA and CCNP (Preferred)
• Knowledge and certification of Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in server/ desktop/ Applications/ Database/ Developer
• Thorough knowledge of application development methodologies / practices
• Good knowledge of programming languages
• Thorough knowledge of IT governance
• In-depth knowledge of cloud base application management
• Knowledge of database and information security management
• Knowledge of website management
• Good financial acumen

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

IT Planning

Contributes in finalizing the strategic IT directions, identifies and evaluates organization’s future IT (application and infrastructure) needs based on future direction and strategic plan; Develop an overall IT strategy, operating plans and quarterly initiatives aligned with 5 year approved strategic targets as per Supervisor’s directions in-coordination with Strategy & BD and seeks approval of the same from Senior Management; Briefs subordinates about approved plan, delegates responsibilities and allocates targets to team; Implements and monitors progress of approved annual plan and ensures compliance with same; Performs annual departmental manpower planning in-consultation with HR based on approved targets, defends and seeks approval on the same from relevant authority; Undertakes departmental budgeting process in-collaboration with Finance; Formulates policies and SOPs of IT; Discusses, improves and finalizes IT Policies & SOPs as per feedback of Supervisor and seeks approval of same; Floats approved IT policies & SOPs and ensures compliance with same.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO successfully implement IT strategy as per defined guidelines and optimally cater organization’s IT needs.

Project Management

Researches and brainstorms new opportunities for improvements in existing IT services, application, network and hardware infrastructure; Develop requirements (as per approved IT plan), outlines budgets through feasibility analysis and schedule for approved information technology projects; Presents project plans to supervisor and seek approval of the same; Supervises bid document preparation, reviews the same and shares approved bid documents with Procurement and M&C; Coordinates with Procurement during procurement process; Contributes in finalization of technical & financial terms of contract / SLAs; Monitors and tracks progress of IT projects (application & network infrastructure); Reviews IT equipment specifications, blueprints and manages configuration (switches, wireless routers, and structured cabling)activities as per schedule; Performs user testing of IT application / infrastructure and provides feedback to vendors; Ensures compliance with project cost, timelines, specifications and quality standards; Provides status updates to supervisor: Understands & implements action steps as per supervisor’s recommendations; Seeks support from supervisor as & when required; Ensures timely completion of IT projects.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO ensure timely implementation / installation of new solutions within the approved budget, timelines & quality standards.

Application Maintenance Management

Ensures continuous performance review of existing apps. and encourages subordinates to foresee and avoids glitches & bugs; Advises and consults with other departments on application issues, concerns and problems; Persuades subordinates for timely application support to all departments; Escalates technically complex issues to relevant vendors and gets prompt resolution of same as per SLA terms;  Confers, clarifies and confirms new application requirements through meetings and application request form; Liaises with application vendors during development process and ensures on-time and as per specification development of applications; Acquires various software (anti-virus, applications etc.) licenses and manage renewal of the same; Generate reports required by other PSDF departments and donor agencies.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO effectively maintain performance level of existing applications, ensure optimal support and successfully complete approved upgradations.  

IT Infrastructure Maintenance

Manages & monitors IT infrastructure (LAN, WAN, Surveillance Network and other communication systems) support activities; Defines the database physical structure and functional capabilities, database security, data back-up, and recovery specifications; Administers servers and devices including desktop computers, printers, routers, switches, firewalls, phones, personal digital assistants, smartphones; Reviews system logs, checks network performance and identifies network and hardware malfunctions and takes appropriate action to resolve issues ensuring data/system integrity; Provides expert opinion and technical guidelines to subordinates for troubleshooting and resolution of networks infrastructure related issues; Escalates technically sophisticated queries to vendors and seeks resolution of same; Maintains database and ensures rectification of database related issues; Supervises installation of operating system; Monitors the performance of operating system inclusive of health checks and desktop support; Controls network security through Firewall and anti-virus; Monitors and maintains inventory of IT equipment.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO ensure optimal network and system administration and to minimize network problems and downtime.

Disaster Recovery & Information Security Management

Establishes and maintains the detailed disaster recovery plans (DRP); Administers execution of all disaster recovery procedures as per schedule; Ensure adequacy of disaster recovery initiatives in place, maintained, and tested as part of the regular operational life cycle; Provides ongoing feedback for risk management, mitigation, and prevention; Reports Disaster Recovery activities to supervisor & concerned authorities; Understands the information security standards, identifies IS requirements of PSDF and defines SOPs for information security management; Implements IS SOPs through education and promotion of the same; Ensures compliance with IS standards.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO ensure backup of database and seamless information security.

People Management

Provides effective and inspiring leadership to direct reports; Ensures parity among subordinates with regards to learning and growth opportunities; Helps creating a conducive working environment to build and sustain an engaged and committed team; Creates a sense of purpose and self-fulfillment among subordinates; Crafts the need for empathy when necessary; Delegates the responsibilities to the direct reports; Keeps the team emotionally aware, sensitive and open to accept planned organizational changes (if any) for the greater good; Leads by example, motivates and maintains a competent and high performing staff, capable to meet current and future needs; Identifies training and development requirements of subordinates to take future roles and builds capacity of team; Manages performance of direct reports through objective setting, continuous support, feedback and formal appraisal; Coordinates with HR for recruitment of new talent; Handles administrative issues related to HR i.e. conflict management, grievances handling, disciplinary issues etc. of the team.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO build and retain a highly engaged, proficient, motivated, knowledgeable and effective team.