IT Specialist at Partners in Health (PIH)

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:
Partners in Health (PIH) is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH has programs in Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kazakhstan and Boston.

PI began working in Malawi in 2007, where today we support the Ministry of Health (MOH) to serve a catchment area of 165,000 through 12 health centers and two hospitals in partnership with our sister organizations. Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU) has its headquarters in Neno District with operations across the country.

We therefore seek to recruit suitably qualified and experienced candidate for the following position;

Position: IT Specialist
Reports to: Medical Informatics and IT Manager
Supervises: IT Officers and IT Coordinator
Commitment: Full Time (Monday-Friday)
Working Hours : Regular Office Hours (40Hrs/Week)
Location: Neno Boma

POSITION SUMMARY:
The IT Specialist reports to the Medical Informatics and IT Manager. The position leads the IT team to ensure that our systems are maximizing value for our patients, staff and programs. The IT Specialist is responsible for analyzing, planning, designing, implementing and the monitoring of PIH’s IT Infrastructure within Neno District and all other districts where PIH Malawi has offices including Lilongwe.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Systems analysis and management

• Oversee all technology operations of PIH-Malawi and evaluate them according to established goals
• Review existing IT system and internal processes and ensure that they are up to date and able to meet and optimize programs and operational efficiency
• Ensure that systems are running effectively and efficiently to suit organization’s and program’s needs
• Implement security and information assurance measures
• Ensure that data storage is safe and secure
• Conduct IT equipment and infrastructure audits regularly and provide reports and recommendations
• Set up data storage, backups and retrieval protocols and associated security with a primary focus of cloud storage
• Oversee and determine timeframes for major IT projects including system updates, upgrades, migrations and outages
• Conduct regular system audits
• Run and share regular IT systems reports with senior staff
• Inspect the use of technological equipment and software to ensure functionality and efficiency
• Analyze requirements of all departments to determine their technology needs
• Devise and establish IT policies and systems to support the implementation of strategies set by upper management
• Provide technical oversight on all IT-related procurement decisions
• Ensure measures are put in place for data compliance and protection across all organization systems
• Provide guidance and support to staff on safe artificial intelligence application use

Network analysis and administration

• Manage and optimize bandwidth
• Install, configure and maintain networking equipment including network servers, virtual private networks (VPNs), routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers and other equipment
• Manage backup power systems for critical network hardware

Infrastructure, hardware and software management

• Support Electronic Medical Records Systems, data warehouse, application file servers, and cloud deployments and network management servers including management of server software updates and backups for servers and databases
• Monitor security certificates and organization compliance requirements
• Forecast and report cost of replacing or upgrading IT equipment
• Install and update organization software and hardware as needed
• Assess and repair hardware including user devices
• Maintain the inventory of all organization IT equipment
• Supportwithdevelopmentandimplementation of IT policies including guidelines on IT asset disposal

End user support

• Coordinate with program and operation teams regularly to better understand their IT needs and suitable technological solutions
• Assess and repair staff IT equipment including computers and tablets
• Train staff about network security and best practices for computer and systems usage

Budget Management

• Develop and reconciliations manage IT budget and
• Ensure responsible expenditure in line with budget allocation, organizational priorities and donor agreements
• Ensure that financial, procurement and other regulations are adhered to

Mentorship of IT staff

• Lead the work of the IT section including setting priorities for the unit, developing and managing work plans and budgets
• Provide technical knowledge and advice to the IT team
• Identify capacity building needs for IT staff and opportunities for team training and skills advancement
• Provide strategic direction for IT team members
• Manage staff performance for IT team
• Any other duties assigned from time to time

QUALIFICATIONS, ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems or another relevant field.
• Knowledge of LANs and WANs.
• Strong background in computer networks and systems administration including configuration and maintenance of networking equipment including firewalls, routers, switches and access points.
• Excellent understanding of the OSI or TCP/IP model and communication protocols.
• Experience with virtualization technology such as Hyper-V, KVM, VirtualBox.
• Experience in hardware and software maintenance.
• Linux server administration.
• Proficiency in a scripting language such as Python, BASH or Perl.
• Extensive knowledge of information technology, systems and current trends.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, as evidenced by conducting training or presentations, writing reports or summaries, etc.
• Fluency in English and Chichewa.

BENEFITS & REMUNERATION
An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidates commensurate with
experience and qualifications.

Method Of Application

Qualified and interested persons should apply strictly to the email address below, enclosing their cover letter; copies of relevant certificates and Curriculum Vitae indicating three names of traceable referees with valid telephone numbers and email addresses not later than Friday, 30th May, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Email: [email protected] with the title of the position indicated on the subject of the email addressing;

The Director of Human Resources and Administration
Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU)
P.O. Box 56
NENO

NB: Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/ APZU) is is an equal opportunity employer, so, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, tribe, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/ APZU) is committed to safeguarding staff, children and communities with whom we work with. We are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and are protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. Therefore, any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks.

The Organisation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to make a payment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and speakup@pih. org.