Introduction
The IT Team is a member of OTI’s Operations and Management Division which prides itself on maintaining positive morale in the division and a high degree of customer support and innovation for the office. OTI is under USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA).
The IT Team supports OTI program staff and operations by ensuring the development and maintenance of OTI IT applications (web and non-web-based) that support the management of OTI programs. The IT team liaises with USAID’s Chief Information Office (CIO) on IT support and security requirements, manages OTI’s mobile devices in collaboration with USAID/CIO, manages OTI’s IT budget and inventory, and collaborates closely with OTI’s two other divisions: Programs, Learning and Innovations (PLI) and Field Programs Division (FPD).
The IT Team Leader supervises several US Personal Service Contract staff and works closely with a small team of institutional contract staff. Members of the IT Team work in a fast-paced environment and support the full IT development life cycle. The team has daily interaction with both U.S. and international users, and gains a wealth of experience learning to implement or backstop all of the various facets of a small-scale yet modern web application as well as providing other IT support for a unique, rapid response office in USAID. OTI’s portfolio of applications manages DC-based operations as well as grants under contract programs implemented throughout the world in support of USAID’s mission, containing a robust geospatial element.
More information about OTI can be found on the web here and here.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The work of the Information Technology (IT) Team Leader requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of a highly operational office, the incumbent is willing and able to perform a wide range of administrative functions to help ensure programmatic success. The incumbent has a high level of integrity and attention to detail to ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change, and remains professional and respectful of colleagues and authority in a diverse workforce. She or he places a premium on the building of positive relationships with his or her respective team both in the field and in Washington, and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID. The incumbent is able to prioritize and complete tasks without follow-up by the supervisor, while also filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. The IT Team Leader is a strategic thinker, articulates innovative ideas, presents solutions, and is a positive role model for colleagues both in and outside of OTI.
Under the direct supervision of the Washington-based DCHA/OTI Chief of Operations and Management Division or his or her designee, the IT Team Leader will perform the following duties:
At GS-13 IT Team Leader Level:
· Manage and prioritize IT Team’s projects, ensuring targets are met, and coordinating the efforts of the team with internal and external stakeholders; Align OTI’s program needs with available technology to promote productivity and efficiency; provide status reports, project risk audits, and justification when plan timelines need to be adjusted;
· IT Budget management: Manage OTI’s IT budget, which includes budget for USPSC IT personnel, mobile devices, software and IT systems support (e.g. external IT support, server hosting, domain names);
· Inventory control: Ensure IT inventory is being tracked and monitored to prevent excess inventory or misuse; Manage equipment and software licenses;
· Supervise the IT Team. For USPSC staff: directly supervise staff and ensure staff are trained and mentored in all critical aspects of OTI IT functions. Ensure that employee Individual Development Plans (IDP) and performance evaluations are completed in a timely manner in accordance with OTI office policy; Design staffing plans to meet overall project objectives, ensure staff work objectives and tasks are well defined, and ensure that recruitment is initiated immediately when staffing needs arise. For institutional contractor staff: Coordinate with the contractor to ensure work is effectively performed;
· Contracts/Agreements oversight: Supervise or act as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for IT contracts and/or agreements;
· Business Systems and software solutions. Analyze OTI program management, and collaborate with OTI staff in development, maintenance and support of OTI’s enterprise systems for worldwide users, including but not limited to, OTI’s internal website, OTI’s activity/grants management, Budget and Finance system and HR systems. Ensure provision of ad hoc development of simple, productivity-software-based solutions that improve productivity. Lead system architectural design sessions in collaboration with other OTI teams; ensure that OTI systems are continually monitored, evaluated and improved upon in consultation with other OTI divisions;
· Effectively articulate OTI/IT’s role in supporting OTI’s overall mission to a variety of audiences (such as system users, technical staff, and senior leadership) verbally and in writing;
· IT Support Services, Customer Service. Ensure a high level of customer service with OTI users; maintain collaborative relationships with other teams in and outside of OTI in USAID; ensure the provision of training and assistance for staff on the usage of various OTI equipment, software and supplies not supported by USAID/CIO; implementation of hardware maintenance cycles; repair/replace failed equipment and re-provisioning; ensure provision of other IT support functions as required;
· Develop and ensure maintenance of IT policy and security requirements in collaboration with USAID/M/CIO;
· As needed, serve on short-term assignments with other USAID offices or bureaus in direct support of OTI programs. These placements shall not exceed three months;
· Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor to meet overall IT project deliverables.
At the GS-14 Level:
· Manage and prioritize IT Team’s projects, ensuring targets are met, and coordinating the efforts of the team with internal and external stakeholders; align OTI’s program needs with available technology to promote productivity and efficiency; provide status reports, project risk audits, and justification when plan timelines need to be adjusted;
· Contracts/Agreements oversight: Supervise or act as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for IT contracts and/or agreements;
· IT Budget management: Oversee OTI’s IT budget, which includes budget for USPSC IT personnel, mobile devices, software and IT systems support (e.g. external IT support, server hosting, domain names);
· Inventory control: Ensure IT inventory is being tracked and monitored to prevent excess inventory or misuse; Manage equipment and software licenses;
· Lead and supervise the IT Team. For USPSC staff: directly supervise staff and ensure staff are trained and mentored in all critical aspects of OTI IT functions. Ensure that employee Individual Development Plans (IDP) and performance evaluations are completed in a timely manner in accordance with OTI office policy; Design staffing plans to meet overall project objectives, ensure staff work objectives and tasks are well defined, and ensure that recruitment is initiated immediately when staffing needs arise. For institutional contractor staff: Coordinate with the contractor to ensure work is effectively performed;
· Business Systems and software solutions: Analyze OTI program management, and collaborate with OTI staff in development, maintenance and support of OTI’s enterprise systems for worldwide users, including but not limited to, OTI’s internal website, OTI’s activity/grants management, Budget and Finance system and HR systems. Ensure provision of ad hoc development of simple, productivity-software-based solutions that improve productivity. Lead system architectural design sessions in collaboration with other OTI teams; ensure that OTI systems are continually monitored, evaluated and improved upon in consultation with other OTI divisions;
· Effectively articulate OTI/IT’s role in supporting OTI’s overall mission to a variety of audiences (such as system users, technical staff, and senior leadership) verbally and in writing;
· IT Support Services, Customer Service: Ensure a high level of customer service with OTI users; maintain collaborative relationships with other teams in and outside of OTI in USAID; ensure the provision of training and assistance for staff on the usage of various OTI equipment, software and supplies not supported by USAID/CIO; implementation of hardware maintenance cycles; repair/replace failed equipment and re-provisioning; ensure provision of other IT support functions as required;
· Oversee and/or develop and maintain IT policy and security requirements in collaboration with USAID/M/CIO;
· Act as Deputy Chief or Chief OMD if required;
· As needed, serve on short-term assignments with other USAID offices or bureaus in direct support of OTI programs. These placements shall not exceed three months;
· Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor to meet overall IT project deliverables.
Minimum Qualifications Required for this position
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. See detailed instructions for demonstrating Education/Experience under “Applying”)
At a minimum, the applicant must have:
At the GS-13 level:
At the GS-13, IT Team Lead must be an individual with sound judgment, excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills and possess a well-developed understanding of information technology and customer service activities. The individual will be someone who can supervise a small team, and demonstrate excellent collaboration skills and the ability to direct and train staff on IT related industry and best practices. This position requires working with people from many different cultures and backgrounds.
At a minimum, the applicant must have:
(1) A Master’s degree, with a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience;
OR
A Bachelor’s degree, with a minimum of six (6) years of professional experience;
OR
High School diploma or equivalent with a minimum of eight (8) years of professional
experience;
AND
(2) A minimum of four (4) years of professional experience in managing Information Technology (IT) and/or Information Communication and Technology (ICT) projects;
(3) At least two (2) years’ experience supervising IT or ICT personnel.
At the GS-14 level:
(1) A Master’s degree, with a minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in managing Information Technology (IT) and/or Information Communication and Technology (ICT) projects;
OR
A Bachelor’s degree, with a minimum of nine (9) years of professional experience in managing Information Technology (IT) and/or Information Communication and Technology (ICT) projects;
OR
High School diploma or equivalent with a minimum of eleven (11) years of professional experience Information Technology (IT) and/or Information Communication and Technology (ICT) projects;
AND
(2) A minimum of six (6) years of professional experience in managing Information Technology (IT) and/or Information Communication and Technology (ICT) projects;
(3) At least four (4) years’ experience supervising IT or ICT personnel.
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