Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN)
The Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN) is a not-for-profit institution which was founded around 2005 by the University of Malawi and Mzuzu University. It was established to create and operate an academic network interconnecting research and education institutions within Malawi and with their regional and global peers through the UbuntuNet Alliance. The organization became fully operational in 2018 through funding from the Digital Malawi Project a Project of the Malawi Government funded by the World Bank. So far, MAREN has managed to interconnect at least thirty institutions including all the public universities at higher bandwidths. To date, the organization has been managed by consultants who were hired by the Project to facilitate its operationalization. Having been fully capacitated by the Project, MAREN is now in a position to recruit its own staff. Applications are therefore invited from suitably qualified, highly skilled, experienced, competent and visionary individuals to fill the following position.
SYSTEMS MANAGER
The Systems Manager (SM) shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of MAREN.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Planning, installing, monitoring and evaluating software systems.
- Developing and implementing new business processes and procedures to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Reviewing applications for new business opportunities
- Analyzing data to determine where improvements can be made to increase efficiency and productivity
- Monitoring section budgets and expenditures to ensure they are within legal limits.
- Coordinating with internal departments to ensure that employees have easy access to the information they need to do their jobs.
- Analyzing data about sales performance, In liaison with the Business Development Manager, to identify trends in consumer preferences or needs.
- Ensuring all software systems meet minimum security requirements.
- Analyzing and identifying potential areas of service improvement for MAREN.
- Developing and assessing policies and procedures while monitoring trends to propose adjustments to existing policies and procedures.
- Ensuring that policies and procedures are adhered to regarding all systems.
- Organizing training workshops for client institutions in line with services offered by MAREN.
- Offering direct engineering assistance to client institutions. of Direct engineering assistance to MAREN
- Designing, planning and implementation of seamless integration of new product/services.
- Documentation and implementation of business processes, policies and procedures including business continuity and disaster recovery plans to the highest standard with appropriate testing
- Providing input to various technical, financial, legal and regulatory plans governing MARE operations.
- Managing project work plans, budgets and MAREN resources optimally so that project activities are implemented to cost, quality and within agreed time.
- Managing, in collaboration with the Finance and Administration Manager and other senior members of MAREN Secretariat, procurement processes for MAREN operations.
- Coordinating software development projects
- Monitoring the progress of projects from start to finish.
- Liaise with clients to ensure that products or services are delivered on time and within budget.
- Supervising system development and support staff.
Qualifications and Experience
A suitable candidate shall:
- Be a holder of at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Informatics or related fields from a recognized University. Those with Masters in related fields will have added advantage.
- Have at least 5 years’ experience developing and supporting systems for education and/or research institutions.
- Have Track record customizing open source systems
- Have Extensive knowledge of Unix/Linux command line and Unix Operating system troubleshooting.
- Have Proven experience working with open source systems such as MOODLE, Apache, MySQL, Postgres,
- Have Advanced skills in modern programming languages such as Java, PHP, Python etc
- Experience with DevOps and practical use of Ansible playbooks.
- Have added advantage if they have Certification in ITIL, PMP or other IT governance framework.
- Have Leadership skills to successfully lead a team of engineers and produce the best out of them.
- Have strong collaboration skills to build teams across working boundaries.
- Have ability to contribute to a diverse team of commercial and technical backgrounds.
- Be able to work with minimal supervision
- Have ability to work under pressure.
- Have ability to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team.
- Have high degree of integrity and professionalism.
Term of office
The SM shall be on a 3 year contract renewable based on performance.
REMUNERATION
The positions above come with a competitive compensation and benefits package in accordance with MAREN’s existing structure of benefits.
Method Of Application
Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and names and contact details of three traceable referees to the Chairperson of the Search Team by the following email: chairofsearchteam@maren.ac.mw
Applications should be received by 29th August, 2022.