National IT/DB/GIS Specialist for Tanzania

Background

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The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) has been established by the Nile riparian countries in 1999 in order to serve their common interests. Its vision is “to achieve sustainable socioeconomic development through the equitable utilization of, and benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources”. To translate this shared vision into action, the NBI launched a Strategic Action Program which includes two complementary components: a basin-wide Shared Vision Program (SVP) and Subsidiary Action Programs (SAPs).

In order to ensure the optimal project management and smooth operations, the NBI has entered into a management service agreements (MSA) with United Nations Office for the Project Services (UNOPS) for the provision of project services for the WRPM project.

The water Resources Planning and Management Project is executed by the Project Management Unit (PMU), located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The long term goal of the project is to ensure that the Nile Basin Water Resources are developed and managed in an equitable, optimal, integrated and sustainable manner to support socioeconomic development in the region. The development objective of the project is to enhance technical and analytical capacity in the region to support the development, management and protection of the Nile Basin Water Resources. The project has four components: water policy good practice guides and support, project planning and management good practice guides and support, decision support system, and regional coordination and facilitation.

Nile Basin Decision Support System is the core component of the WRPM project. Its objective is to provide a common, basin-wide platform for communication, information management, and analysis of the Nile basin water resources. It will also provide a framework for sharing knowledge, understanding river system behavior, evaluating alternative development and management schemes, and supporting informed decision making from a regional perspective.

To support implementation of the DSS component at country level, the WRPM project has established National DSS Units in all NBI countries. The DSS Units have been established in the ministries responsible for water affairs, i.e. DSS Unit Hosting Institutions. National DSS Specialist, competitively hired from the respective country, head the National DSS Units.

To strengthen the national DSS unit in Tanzania, the project is seeking a qualified candidate for the national IT/Database/GIS Specialist position in Dar es selam. The National IT / Database / GIS Specialist will provide technical expertise to handle projects for software systems development and will serve as the expert in field of specialty to provide recommendations and conclusions of project tasks. The National IT / Database / GIS Specialist will report to the National DSS Specialist in Dar es selam, Tanzania.

Scope of Work

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The primary duties of the National IT / Database / GIS Specialist include, but are not limited to:

• Diagnose and resolve a component level end user software and hardware problems and work with staff to explain better and more efficient way to work with software applications.


• Ensuring IT support tasks are carried out and providing 1st level support to the DSS Unit.


• Implementing and testing Disaster Recovery (and business continuity) plans. Be a key member of the team that will develop such a plan for the site.


• Providing staff training in the best practice use of new and existing information management systems. This knowledge sharing is needed to increase the systems related knowledge capital of the NBI in general and the DSS unit in particular.


• Participate in the development of IT policies and procedures that govern the utilization of IT resources within the DSS Unit and other NBI project sites.


• Design, develop, maintain, update and upgrade the project web-site, in collaboration with the other information management specialists within NBI.


• Provide oversight in all aspects of design, development, performance, administration and troubleshooting of information systems, serving as a technical resource for other team members


• Relational database application development on client server environments for PC and UNIX platforms.


• Database design, population, migration, query development, optimization, administration, and integration with other technologies, including GIS, models, other databases, etc. Script implementation for database population and maintenance.


• Provide technical task and project management, budgeting and oversight, as well as technical team leadership, guidance and coordination, ensuring quality and appropriateness of the DSS


• Cooperate with the IT/Database/GIS specialist at the PMU on the development of common guidelines for DSS-related data collection, process, analysis, and exchange in the basin


• Provide all levels of component design and integration of various databases and GIS/RS technologies (ARC/INFO and ArcView or equivalent), external models, and programming (scripting, custom GUIs, etc.)


• Work with component-related stakeholder groups, NGOs, other relevant Basin organizations, and others in product definition and requirements, developing project scopes of work, and budgeting


• Prepare timely, accurate and quality progress, technical, financial and other required reports on component activities

Progress Reporting

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The National IT/Database/GIS Specialist will provide progress reports to the National DSS Specialist as follows:

On a monthly basis: A brief narrative e-mail (one page maximum) outlining the work accomplished in the preceding month, an outline of the work expected to be completed during the next progress reporting period and, if appropriate, comments or recommendations relating to any unforeseen conditions which may affect the progress or the quality of the work.

Distribution: National DSS Specialist

On a semi-annual basis: A substantive progress report, prepared against agreed work plan, outlining in greater detail activities undertaken, substantive accomplishments achieved, and a discussion of issues, which will affect the work plan for the coming six months. This report will serve as input into the Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports.

Distribution: National DSS Specialist

On an annual basis: A work plan, including procurement plan, outlining activities planned and the time frame for their implementation. This work plan will serve as input to the overall project work plan to be reviewed at the annual Steering Committee meeting.

Distribution: National DSS Specialist;

Ad hoc reporting: In addition to the above, the National IT/Database/GIS Specialist may also be requested to prepare ad hoc reports on specific aspects of the Project as the need arises.

Distribution: As per intent of report, others as determined in consultation with National DSS Specialist.

Technical reports: As dictated by project needs.

Distribution: As per intent of report, others as determined in consultation with National DSS Specialist.

The National IT / Database / GIS Specialist will have the following qualifications and experiences:

Advanced training, B.Sc. degree or higher, in Computer Science, Information Technology, Geographic Information Systems, Science, Engineering, or other technically related field, preferable M.Sc.
At least five years of working experience, with recognized technical expertise in Information Technology; relational database technologies, including database development and administration; and Geographic Information Systems.
Excellent and advanced knowledge of computer architecture and networks.
Experience in database design and implementation/programming using MS SQL, Oracle, MS Access, MySQL or PostgreSQL database management systems.
Experience with standard, current GIS and Remote Sensing tools and technologies, such as ARC/INFO and ArcView, ERDAS Imagine software or equivalent.
Demonstrated writing, analytical, presentation and reporting skills.
Outstanding English language skills (spoken and written); working knowledge of French is an advantage.
Experience working with or in international and donor organizations is an advantage
Experience working in Africa, particularly the Nile Basin countries, is preferred
Willing to travel extensively
Knowledge of water resources systems engineering and/or hydro-informatics is an advantage
Advanced knowledge of computer architecture and networks is an advantage.
Experience in programming using PHP, JavaScript, ASP.NET, XML and other web development tools is an advantage.

This position will be recruited competitively from Tanzania. Qualified applicants will be short-listed by the PMU and National DSS Unit.
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11 -English Version) by e-mail to:

Regional Project Manager,
Water Resources Planning and Management Project,
E-mail: WRPMP@nilebasin.org, copying zalemu@nilebasin.org.
P O Box 60173;
Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia;

Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title when applying (in the subject line by e-mail). The deadline for receiving the applications and CVs is May 15/2011

UN Personal History form (P11) can be downloaded from:- www.unops.org/english/whoweneed/pages/default.aspx

Women candidates are encouraged to apply