Background
UbuntuNet Alliance is the regional research and education networking organisation for Eastern and Southern Africa. It builds and operates UbuntuNet, the regional high speed Internet backbone network for Eastern and Southern Africa. UbuntuNet Alliance is registered in Malawi as a not-for-profit association of National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in Africa with the aim of providing a secure data communications network that supports research, teaching and learning in the region. Membership of the Alliance includes NRENs of the following countries: Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The member NRENs work together in promoting internetworking for the purposes of research,education and innovation, but also welcomes not-for-profit transnational research and education organisations. UbuntuNet Alliance has its headquarters in Lilongwe, Malawi while the Network Operations Centre is located in Kampala.
The Alliance is seeking to engage the services of suitably qualified candidates to fill the following positions tenable at Lilongwe and Kampala offices:
1. Projects Manager – Lilongwe, Head Office
The Project Manager, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, will be primarily responsible for coordinating the implementation of the 4-year AfricaConnect3 project, which is funded by the European Commission. In addition the employee will generally be responsible for identifying opportunities, preparing funding proposals and managing all aspects of all other projects in UbuntuNet Alliance and ensure that the projects are properly implemented and reported on in line with donor requirements.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The Projects Manager shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Managing the implementation of all aspects of the AfricaConnect3 Cluster 1 project according to the Logframe, Description of Work and Budget, including:
- Rallying and coordinating project support from member National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in the region and ensure that the NRENs effectively participate in project activities;
- Coordinate fundraising for counterpart funding for the AfricaConnect3 project from participating NRENs and development partners.
- Under the directions of the CEO, act as liaison between the Alliance and stakeholders, representing the Alliance at relevant forums (including coordination), joint assessments and providing feedback on the same;
- Ensuring good visibility of the projects’ overall goals, activities, achievement of results in liaison with the Communications Officer;
- Preparing project reports and deliverables as required in line with the provisions of the European Union
- Coordinating resource mobilization efforts of the Alliance;
- Identifying opportunities and preparing proposals for funding from development partners in line with the objectives of the Alliance;
- Coordinating the design, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of all funded projects and satisfying the requirements of the funders;
- Being part of the team at UbuntuNet Alliance Secretariat and participating in any other relevant duties as assigned by the CEO from time to time.
Qualifications and Personal Attributes:
The person shall be dynamic, innovative and have the following:
- Bachelors’ degree in Project Management, Development Cooperation, Economics, Business Management, or any relevant discipline from a recognized institution. Those with a relevant postgraduate qualification will have an added advantage, as would relevant industry experience and professional qualifications.
- Knowledge and interest in digital technologies and how they are being used in research and education
- A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project management in an international setup, experience with EU regulations for external actions, or other relevant development partner requirements is a strong added advantage.
- Excellent knowledge of project life-cycle management;
- Strong verbal and written communication abilities, report writing, presentation and strong inter-personal skills;
- Experience in proposal formulation, implementation and reporting for grant funded projects;
- Strong analytical skills with ability to set priorities, complete work with minimal supervision, and meet deadlines.
- Self-starter with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
2. Service Portfolio Manager – Lilongwe, Head Office or Kampala Office
The Service Portfolio Manager, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer will lead and oversee all aspects of development and packaging of research and education networking e-value added services for offering to memberNational Research and Education Networks (NRENs) within the UbuntuNet Alliance region.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The Service Portfolio Manager shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Develop and operate relevant e-infrastructure services – as well as assist member NRENs in running these services themselves – for research and education;
- Research and define requirements for services demanded by the research and education community;
- In conjunction with the Technical Manager, coordinate trainings for e-infrastructure applications and services;
- Foster collaboration between the Alliance and its NREN members and their counterparts in Europe and other parts of the world with the aim of coordinating the services portfolio;
- Setup and administer applications for internal use at the UbuntuNet Alliance secretariat and by external involved parties; and
- Provide technical first and second level support to the UbuntuNet Alliance staff.
Qualifications and Personal Attributes:
The person shall have the following:
- A good understanding of research and education networking;
- At least a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in development and running enterprise services;
- AMaster’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or any related field from a recognised university will be a strong added advantage.
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities and strong inter-personal skills;
- A sound understanding of the various trending technologies and applications in the research and education networking communities;
- Demonstrated sound judgment, statistical knowledge, analytical mind, attention to detail and integrity.
Appointment and Remuneration
UbuntuNet Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and offers attractive remuneration package commensurate with qualification, competence and experience of the successful candidate.
Method of Application
Interested eligible candidates should submit an application letter, complete with an up to date Curriculum Vitae that include names and contact information for two referees. These should be submitted in a single PDF or Word Document attached to an email, addressed to the Finance and Administration Manager at info@ubuntunet.net not later than 23rd March 2020.