PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE: 

The ICT Consultant is expected to support the ICT Directorate at the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (hereinafter ‘NEBE’) on a range of issues including the development and execution of an effective ICT strategy to support the conduct of the upcoming general elections in Ethiopia.  

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Lead and manage the NEBE ICT Operations team during specially during election cycles to establish a culture of accountability and IT Service Management excellence through effective day to day management of internal technology professionals and external service providers. 
• Lead the continuous improvement and manage the various NEBE IT system demands in the delivery of solutions and NEBE business as usual services to ensure the ongoing value of ICT. 
•  Develop strategies that remove cost inefficiencies, identify and leverage key ICT capabilities and skill-sets, and applying innovative thinking to process and product improvement. 
• Lead and manage improvements and optimization in partnership with infrastructure and application in-house team and vendors 
• Ensure the continued availability of NEBE ICT systems business as usual services based on agreed service and security levels to minimise operational disruptions 
•  Provide technical supervision of the NEBE ICT platforms including the monitoring and proactive management of events, maintenance activities and problem identification and resolution 
•  Maintain compliance of the ICT team with all relevant regulatory, contractual and legislative obligations. 
• Participate as a member of the NEBE ICT management team to provide expert advice on ICT operational strategic direction and issues in a dynamic and changing environment. 
• Proactively develop partnerships with outside state entities and stakeholders to grow ICT's reputation as a trusted and valued partner in and outside of NEBE. 
• Provide strategic input into NEBE ICT strategy and future investment planning to 
•  future-proof the NEBE ICT platforms for growth and technology redundancy. 
• Continuous evaluations of all NEBE technologies ensuring the security of the information systems, databases, network communication lines and equipment are sound. 
• Oversee the production of NEBE specific maps showing the spatial distribution of polling stations, constituency offices, regional offices and others from data obtained from different sources 
• Oversee the planning and coordination of GIS activities to meet NEBE’s strategic objectives 
• Supervise analysis of statistical data and production of various demographic reports which helps the electoral process. 
• Set ICT staff performance measures (KPI’s – Key Performance Indicators) and manage staffing expectations so far as ongoing performance reviews are concerned.  
• Undertake ad-hoc tasks assigned by the ICT Directorate, as required

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluency in English and Amharic required; strong command in more than one NEBE working language preferred.

TRAVEL: Travel may be required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: Standard office work environment.  

Job Requirements

SKILLS & SPECIFICATIONS

• Comply with NEBE’s overall ICT strategy. 
• Observe all legal and constitutional obligations.
• Manage third party vendors and suppliers in line with NEBE’s operational strategies.
• Maintain and effective, efficient and service orientated ICT department providing key services to NEBE.
• Good interpersonal skills. 
• Strong problem-solving mind set.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision and under pressure. 
• Ability to manage teams within a structured and unstructured environment. 
• Exceptional critical thinking skills.  
• Strong interpersonal skills to assist non-technical individuals with complex technical issues. 
• Not be a member of any political party. 
• High level of skill in the leadership of strategic ICT Operations and a complex workforce of internal technology professionals and external service providers to ensure that innovative, realistic, and practical solutions to NEBE’s needs are effectively implemented. 
• Extensive knowledge in the operations and support of ICT environments and technologies in relation to support, hardware, software applications and networks to deliver stable and efficient ICT services to meet NEBE’s needs which will include the management of: 
• Telecommunication suppliers; Software suppliers; Hardware suppliers; Specialist technology suppliers; GIS data suppliers (governmental and non-governmental suppliers).         
• High level of skill to lead during times of change, including effective change management, communication, and stakeholder management skills. 
• Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in the proactive identification of new or improved system opportunities within NEBE ICT Operations which includes the continuous delivery of solutions to NEBE. 
• High level of skill in managing and implementing sustainable change and developing executable strategies within a diverse ICT team whilst at the same time managing and implementing appropriate service regimes (support, capacity and performance, security and integration) which builds and then contributes to achieving NEBE’s ICT overall objectives within a high performing and positive team culture. 
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision and under pressure.
• Ability to manage teams within a structured and unstructured environment.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills.  
• Strong interpersonal skills to assist non-technical individuals with complex technical issues.
• Not be a member of any political party.
• High level of skill in the leadership of strategic ICT Operations and a complex workforce of internal technology professionals and external service providers to ensure that innovative, realistic, and practical solutions to NEBE’s needs are effectively implemented.
• Extensive knowledge in the operations and support of ICT environments and technologies in relation to support, hardware, software applications and networks to deliver stable and efficient ICT services to meet NEBE’s needs which will include the management of: Telecommunication suppliers; Software suppliers; Hardware suppliers; Specialist technology suppliers; GIS data suppliers (governmental and non-governmental suppliers).         
• High level of skill to lead during times of change, including effective change management, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in the proactive identification of new or improved system opportunities within NEBE ICT Operations which includes the continuous delivery of solutions to NEBE.
• High level of skill in managing and implementing sustainable change and developing executable strategies within a diverse ICT team whilst at the same time managing and implementing appropriate service regimes (support, capacity and performance, security and integration) which builds and then contributes to achieving NEBE’s ICT overall objectives within a high performing and positive team culture.
• Implement and adopt ICT best practices: ITIL; TOGAF; Prince 2.
• Extensive commercial acumen to manage risks in a complex environment.
• Knowledge of and willingness to commit to and work within NEBE’s values.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

• MSc or BSc Computer Science, Information Technology Degree. 
• 10 years’ experience in an ICT Management role. 
• Should possess courses that are specific to leadership, management, and ICT best practices (ITIL, TOGAF, Prince 2 etc) is preferred. 
• Basic understanding of GIS and statistics. 

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applied applicant should apply through the email below ifesethiopia@ifes.org

Please state the subject line of your email As "ICT Management Consultant"