Information and Communication Technology Manager
FSD EthiopiaJOB PURPOSE
The ICT department has a dual role: firstly, providing support to FSD Africa which is in a period of unprecedented growth and must have the systems and technology necessary for success. Secondly,supporting the wider FSD Network with the systems support that will underpin achievement of the new FSD 2.0 strategy.
FSD Africa
FSD Africa currently has a local area network supporting 30-odd users; the system has been expanded organically and lacks structure. In future, we anticipate the need to support up to 120 users across a complex of office buildings. The ICT Manager will audit the current network and operating systems, review the performance of outsourced service providers, make recommendations for improvement and implement best practice.It is critically important to develop and demonstrate technical excellence within FSD Africa that can then be extended to the wider FSD Network.
FSD Network
FSD Network members consist of autonomous organisations, each with their own Board of Directors and independent strategies. FSD’s Strategy 2.0 includes a number of new initiatives designed to identify opportunities for enhancing collective impact by working together. Significant funding has been made available by DFID to support the development and implementation of collaborative programming (CoPro) and to extend the network by founding new FSDs.
The Manager ICT is a member of a dynamic leadership team which is responsible for identifying and coordinating the provision of shared services. The goal is to leverage synergies across thenetwork to drive enhanced impact, decreased costs and improved efficiency.
The Manager ICT is responsible for developing an Information and Communication Technology Vision and Strategy across the FSD Network through a highly consultative process that will clarify needs and identify opportunities for ICT to enhance effectiveness and impact. He/she is then responsible for overseeing the implementation of strategy; both in terms of managing system-development projects and coordinating the provision of shared services across the network. This includes managing the resources(HR, financial & physical) that will be required for successful delivery of strategy and plans.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS
1.Development of Strategy & Vision
Utilise a consultative process to clarify needs, in the first instance for FSD Africa,and then extending to the FSD Network; identifying opportunities for ICT to enhance effectiveness and impact:
Conduct a comprehensive audit of current technology, systems and resources; determining fit-for-purpose and identifying opportunities for ICT to enhance effectiveness and impact
Develop and document an ICT Vision and Strategy that will cost-effectively drive enhanced effectiveness, firstly for FSD Africa and then rolling out to the wider FSD Network
Develop and implement a change management strategy, with communication and capacity-building components, that will ensure all internal and external stakeholders are on board with the strategy
2.System Development Project Management
Lead the conceptualization, planning and implementation of large-scale systems development projects; ensuring that user-friendly, labour-saving solutions are in place and utilised network-wide to their full potential:
3.Provision of Shared Services
As a member of the Corporate Services Leadership Team, participate in identifying and meeting network-wide needs for the provision of shared services; lead the provision of ICT services, and support the provision of other shared services through effective systems development (as above):
-Ensure that staff are provided with appropriate hardware and software and are empowered to use them
- Ensure that internet connectivity is at the required speed and reliability
- Recommend and support the implementation of appropriate communications and conferencing platforms that are fit-for-purpose
- Ensure that user-support services are in place and providing the level of responsiveness necessary to support effective working
4. Risk Mitigation
Work with the Chief Financial Officer and the Director Corporate Services to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis for all ICT-related activities; lead the implementation of risk-mitigating policies, procedures and ways-of-working:
- Ensure that firewalls and anti-virus are at sufficient capacity relative to all electronic traffic in and out of the organisation
- Ensure that an appropriate disaster recovery process and business continuity mechanism is well-documented and in place to recover all data in the event of a system failure
- Ensure routine maintenance on all aspects of IT equipment and power backup is carried out
- Ensure statistics and reports are generated detailing downtime and mean time to recovery and that service level agreements re managed and adhered to
5. Resource Management
Oversee the effective and efficient management of all resources associated with ICT department activities:
Liaise with the procurement team to develop and implement a multi-year procurement plan for ICT resources; ensuring that FSD Africa keeps pace with emerging technology in an appropriate manner and that resources are procured and disposed of in line with policies and procedures
Liaise with the finance team to keep an asset register of ICT resources; this includes developing systems and procedures for tracking the physical location of assets (particularly mobile devices)
Ensuring 24/7 reliable functioning of servers and other critical ICT resources; includes developing and overseeing implementation of maintenance regimes
Liaise with the finance team and Director of Corporate Services to develop and manage the ICT budget in line with FSD Africa’s policies and procedures
6.Team Leadership
Ensure that the department is resourced with adequate numbers of high performing and well-motivated staff, consultants and outsourced service providers to deliver against the ICT strategy and plans:
Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Qualifications and Education
Desirable
About FSD Ethiopia
Established in 2021, FSD Ethiopia is a development agency that aims to support the development of accessible, inclusive, and sustainable financial markets for economic growth.
Their role is to identify the underlying causes of financial system failures, facilitate market actors to address these constraints, and help build a functional and effective financial sector that generates economic gains for Ethiopians from all walks of life. Their vision is to contribute to a thriving financial system that delivers real value to the broader economy and the people of Ethiopia. They provide technical assistance, grants, and research insights to policymakers, regulators, and market actors to drive large-scale change in financial markets and support sustainable economic development.
Supported by their funding partners, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), they work with public, private, and development partners in the financial sector to address critical system constraints and facilitate sustainable change. They provide tailored services to help diverse stakeholders achieve their goals and design interventions to make Ethiopia’s financial sector function transparently, effectively, and inclusively.