ICT & Database Manager

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

ICT & Database Manager

(Work Location – Savannakhet Office is preferred/Vientiane Office)

This position is available to LAO nationals only

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has worked in Laos since 1994 in school feeding, literacy, inclusive education, and nutrition programming. Since 2012, CRS has served over 25 million meals in schools in Savannakhet province through USDA-funded McGovern-Dole school feeding programs, which incorporate early grade literacy development, water, sanitation, and hygiene, school gardens, and community mobilization into a comprehensive package of support to rural schools. CRS is currently expanding its school feeding program as the lead implementing partner for literacy and WASH activities under another USDA McGovern-Dole school feeding program led by World Food Programme (WFP).

Job Summary:

The ICT & Database Manager will ensure the overall strategic coordination, day-to-day management, and key technical oversight of the Country Program (CP)’s ICT and ICT4D (ICT) functions in coordination with the Regional Information, Communication and Technology System Manager (RIM) to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will analyze and anticipate operational and programmatic ICT service needs and challenges and will introduce cost-effective technology improvement solutions in accordance with established policies, procedures, and service standards for optimal performance, integrity, security and strategic alignment of systems.

The ICT Manager will work closely with Program managers, M&E staff, as well as other program staff and partners in order to design, maintain and manage a comprehensive program database. S/he will coordinate with the program managers, program staff and partners to ensure the accurate and timely input of quality program data into the database to enable monitoring, evaluation and reporting on program objectives, targets and accomplishments.

It is expected that 80% of time will be spent in Savannakhet and Khammouane while the remaining 20% will be spent on supporting the Vientiane Office.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, design, direct and coordinate the installation, configuration, maintenance, availability and security of the CP’s office ICT environment, including the delivery network and ICT infrastructure, manage crisis situations to ensure ongoing ICT enablement of agency business
• Evaluate user needs and system functionality and ensure that ICT facilities and user devices meet these needs. Ensure timely and quality service delivery, technical support, and advice to user requests.
• Partner with program staff to prioritize and support integration and evolution of ICT solutions in improving program implementation.
• Manage relationship with suppliers, conduct supplier analysis, and assess effectiveness to ensure third party services meet CRS business requirements and needs. Collaborate with Procurement to ensure ICT purchases are in line with CRS standards and in compliance with donor requirements. Provide strategic guidance and input to budget development with regard to ICT related expenses
• Assess and analyze ICT training needs. Provide capacity building (training, coaching, on the job support, etc.), remotely or on-site, to staff and partners in ICT-related areas to ensure efficient and consistent adoption and use of ICT applications.
• Monitor ICT systems operations in terms of functionality, security and service delivery and provide statistical and analytical reports on ICT-related data, metrics, and trends. Collaborate with relevant staff to ensure inventory of ICT equipment, hardware, and software is maintained. Monitor functionality, anticipate supply needs and alert managers.
• Assist in designing and developing program database to enable systematic recording and processing of relevant program information for purposes of monitoring, evaluation and reporting as per program objectives, targets and achievements.
• Work closely with program staff and partners to ensure accurate and timely collection of quality program data and quality and timely program monitoring, evaluation and reporting
• Perform other program duties as per instructions from the Head of Programs or Chief of Party
• Design and develop dashboard of the data collection from the field and share data to stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT-related field (Computer Science, Computer Networking, Programming and Information Systems) required. Master’s degree in IT-related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years’ work experience in IT, preferably with an International or local NGO, with at least three of these years managing an IT function.

Required Languages – English and Lao language fluency (written and verbal) is required

Travel – The position is based in Savannakhet (preferred) or in Vientiane with frequent travel – up to 30% – to provinces such as Khammouane, Vientiane provinces if based in Savannakhet. Other occasional travel around Laos may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally with a strong client service focus. Strategic in how they approach each relationship.
• Very strong communication skills with the ability to communicate technical ideas and concerns in a non-technical manner
• Strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills with capacity to see the big picture, make sound decisions, and offer non-standard solutions
• Strong organization, planning, review and monitoring skills
• Able to maintain confidential information
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Examples of Certification requirement include Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert or equivalent, Cisco Certified Network Associate or equivalent Microsoft SharePoint Foundations or equivalent and ITIL Foundation Certified
• Experience in introduction, design, implementation, and adoption of relevant technology and data management tools
• Experience or understanding of Microsoft Azure Services, including MS Entra ID, MS Intune, and Azure Storage
• Strong knowledge of power Apps, Power Automate (flow), Power BI and Power Pages
• Experience connecting to data sources like SharePoint, Dataverse, SQL, Microsoft Lists and third-party APIs using connectors
• Project Management certification highly desirable
• Experience with ITSM and systems management tools preferred

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities – ICT Officers

Internal – All CP staff, works in a matrix supervisory relationship with RISA/RIM, members of CRS ICT community, and owners of CRS business systems, specifically Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Operations, Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Program Managers, Supply Chain Manager, Administration Manager, Logistics Coordinator, Finance Manager, Procurement Manager, MEAL manager.

External – CRS Partners, Government agencies, NetHope, Peers from the other iNGOs in the country, and ICT services providers.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: To apply for this position, please submit an application letter stating your expression of interest along with your most current CV by email to: LA_HR@crs.org.

Closing date for applications: February 28, 2025, Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.