Job Summary: The Head of Office Services Team (OST) / IT Manager will provide leadership and oversight of the newly established Office Services Team (OST), within the Corporate Services Team (CST) at The British High Commission (BHC) in Kampala. They will report to the Head of Corporate Services and manage a team of two staff – the BHC Receptionist and the IT Support Officer (ITSO). The incumbent will be responsible for the delivery of all IT services to a range of UK Government Departments at the Mission, as well as the provision of other office services such as the management of reception, telephones, diplomatic bags and stationery. The job holder will also be responsible for ensuring that service delivery meets agreed service standards. The incumbent will also provide sound technical direction and advice with confidence, working closely with the Information Technology Support Office and the Regional Technical Support Services hub (Pretoria) in order to deliver and maintain IT service provision at Post.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Team Leadership and Management:
Offer strong leadership and motivation to the BHC’s Office Service’s Team (OST).
Provide the day to day guidance and supervision of the IT Support Officer (OST) and British High Commission (BHC) receptionist.
Take responsibility for the planning and delivery of office services and ensure that they deliver on time and to agreed service standards.
Effectively manage team leave/ training so that there is always sufficient cover in the office.
Assist the Head of the Corporate Services Team (CST) to prepare any management information/ data required for the Joint Management Board chaired by the High Commissioner.
Maintain a constructive interface between the OST and other sections and departments at the mission through regular communication.

2. IT Manager:
Manage the effective delivery of all IT services at Post.
Serve as the main point of contact for the Regional Technical Support Services Hub (RTSS) and Helpdesks on all aspects of IT, including the roll out of new equipment and systems upgrades
Establish and organise regular meetings of the Post IT Committee to ensure that customer requirements are met and any problems resolved.
Plan, lead and embed IT change in the Mission and ensure we are making the most of new ways of working with the IT at our disposal.
Ensure that the IT inventory (all hardware and licensed software) is maintained and submitted to the High Commissioner on an annual basis.
Ensure that all staff is aware of IT guidance and procedures through regular communications and ensure that all IT assets (including standalones, blackberries and laptops) are being operated within the guidance.
Devise an IT business continuity plan (including the recovery of data) and ensure that the backup location and other crisis management kit is regularly checked and maintained.
Prepare and oversee the IT budget, ensuring that we achieve value for money and operate within budgetary constraints. Provide appropriate specifications for the purchase of new Information Systems equipment and participate in the evaluation of IT bids, ensuring value for money.
Ensure that the ITSO keeps all systems support up to date e.g. the establishment and administration of user accounts; effective management of shared mailboxes and distribution lists management of the shared area and records management etc.
Ensure all IT security protocols are strictly adhered to e.g. ensuring the physical integrity of data through planned backup and recovery procedures, enforcing IT security procedures e.g. Standard Operating Procedures.
Develop and oversee a preventive maintenance schedule for all IT equipment. Ensure that maintenance contracts are in place and managed effectively e.g. for printers.

3. Reception and Office Services:
Ensure that the main BHC reception maintains a professional image, including extremely high levels of customer service.
Oversee the office phone and mobile phone systems to ensure that kit is well maintained, customer needs are anticipated and value for money is sought.
Ensure that staff is clear on policies related to use of official phones through regular communication.
Manage the diplomatic bag service, ensuring that we have accurate logs and a sufficient number of trained staff able to assist with bag management.
Identify stationery requirements for the office, source contractors which represent good value for money and ensure the stationery store is managed effectively.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate for the British High Commission Job Opportunity should hold a Bachelors/First degree or equivalent in an Information Technology/Information Systems related field.
At least five years relevant professional experience in information systems and a helpdesk environment.
Past experience in maintaining and managing electronic information and record management systems.
Possess strong planning and organisational skills, and a good track record in stakeholder management and excellent communication skills.
Past experience of IT change processes and implementing new systems.
Prior experience of Firewalls, VPNs and Satellite Communications.
Good working knowledge of networking and PC infrastructure.

How to Apply:
All candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their up-to-date CVs in English and a short cover letter in English stating why they are a suitable candidate for the position. Internal applicants should submit this along with a copy of their most recent 24 months of appraisal evidence (i.e. two full appraisals, or however many abridged appraisals, minutes etc to make up two years’ worth of evidence) to Human Resources, by email: Recruitment.Africa@fco.gov.uk

NB: Please quote in the subject line if you are an internal candidate, or spouse of a diplomatic officer, with the Vacancy Notice No: 01/15 KPL

Deadline: 20th February 2015