IT Specialist / Software Engineer at USAID Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities in Ukraine

Background:

USAID Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities in Ukraine (AGRO) Activity is a seven-year cooperative agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Chemonics International, Inc. USAID AGRO Activity began on November 15, 2019.

The AGRO Activity aims to accelerate the economic development of rural Ukrainian communities with the greatest need through a better governed agricultural sector that encourages more productive, modern, and profitable micro, small, and medium agricultural enterprises (MSMEs) that are successfully integrated into competitive markets both in Ukraine and internationally.

The Activity objectives are aligned with the three elements of the market systems conceptual framework: the core value chain, supporting functions, and rules and regulations.

To effectively address the food crisis that emerges in Ukraine and internationally caused by Russia’s unprovoked and brutal full-scale war against Ukraine, AGRO works for the restoration of the agricultural sector, in particular its modernization, efficiency improvement, and diversification, which contributes to the long-term economic recovery of Ukraine and the improvement of global food security.

Chemonics-implemented AGRO is one of the executors of the USAID Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI-Ukraine), aimed to strengthening Ukraine’s agricultural resilience and ensuring food security.

AGRO operates utilizing the market system development conceptual approach.

In 2023, the estimated cost of the Activity was extended to $205 million, and its implementation period was extended through November 13, 2026. AGRO employs 85 long-term CCN employees.

Position Description:

To contribute to achieving AGRO’s overall goals, the IT Specialist / Software Engineer, in coordination with IT Senior Specialist, is responsible for the care and maintenance of the computer network at the AGRO Activity office, including all component hardware and software, sets up and maintains functionality of management modules in MS Project as well as management solutions based on SharePoint. The IT Specialist makes sure that each element of the office network is in good working order and protects data from loss.

Given that AGRO Activity seeks to optimize and automate workflows and business processes, IT Specialist will set up and maintain Microsoft 365 functionality, key office applications and management solutions based on SharePoint, MS Project for the Web, Power BI, MS PowerPlatform and Power Automate.

Included in this basic mandate are numerous subtasks, some simple and routine, others complex and infrequent, from creating new user accounts to managing security and permissions; one of the most important subset of tasks involves maintaining a data backup schedule and guaranteeing that data can be restored if and when it is needed; protecting the network from catastrophic damage due to virus/Trojan horse infection, hacker access, or preventable physical damage.

In addition to protecting the network and its data, helping users requires some elaboration, as the network administrator is both administrative and Help Desk, all in one person. Since Project computer users come from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of computer literacy and skills, it is important that the network administrator be available to assist users with their specific requests. These requests can range from simple tips on how to perform a function in Microsoft Word, to installing applications or configuring email. At times it may even be necessary to conduct office-wide training on how to do specific tasks, such as how to use shared folders in the cloud or configuring off-line folders on laptops.

By following industry best practices, and procedures set out by Chemonics’ long history of running Project’s networks, the AGRO Activity network should require a minimum of troubleshooting, but if substantial problems arise the network administrator has a team of IT professionals in the Home Office that are ready to offer assistance.

Principal Duties and Obligations (Essential Functions):

As IT Specialist / Software Engineer, the Employee is responsible for the following principal duties and obligations:

• Local Area Network (LAN) maintenance;
• Hardware/software maintenance — including, but not limited to, installation, configuration, update, repair, replace;
• Network Engineering & Maintenance;
• Internet & Security maintenance;
• Ensure that the project IT systems are compliant with Chemonics’ IT Security Standards;
• Backup administration;
• Network setup — including wireless setup and connectivity;
• Configuration of new workstations, laptops and other network devices;
• User administration on project network servers;
• Day-to-day help desk support for network and computer users;
• Identifying trouble spots and ensuring that any problems are mitigated in order to minimize interruptions in day-to-day project operations;
• Provision of basic training to staff on the operation of project hardware and software;
• Other general IT troubleshooting and support for the office;
• SharePoint site configuration and permissions management;
• Provide support to implementing and configuring Microsoft Power Apps/Power Platform solutions to meet business requirements;
• Provide support to building and optimizing workflows, business processes, and automation within Microsoft environment using Power Automate;
• General user support and training for the Microsoft365 suite of tools, including SharePoint, OneDrive for Business, Outlook email, and related tools;
• Management of general security systems (video monitoring system, access control system);
• Create and manage user groups, assign necessary permissions, and control access to network resources through group policies;
• Assist COP and other senior staff manage folder permissions, such as restricted access to financial records; Assist in the installation of requested software, (Abacus, MS Project, etc.), new releases and system upgrades;
• Maintaining thorough, timely and accurate network documentation, including but not limited to new software installations, changes to IP addressing, significant networking problems, and noteworthy solutions;
• LIGA-database installation and maintenance on the AGRO Activity’s staff computers;
• Monitoring hosting area size;
• in-time local payments for Internet, mobile telephone communication services, cloud drives, etc.;
• Monitoring and adjustment of the Project’s site in Microsoft cloud (creating folders, set-up permissions, etc.);
• Formatting and reviewing timely provided materials, presentations and CDs related to the Project’s activities;
• Support and communicate with traveling teams, as directed by the Finance and Administration Director (or his/her designee) regarding necessary equipment, their technical support;
• Report to the Chemonics Home Office IT Department in Washington, DC for additional technical support when needed;
• improving knowledge in the professional field through Internet searches, books and professional networking;
• Jointly with Finance and Administration Director (or his/her designee) maintaining inventory of all equipment items and indicate their location and condition;
• Supporting in review of the service agreements, contracts, employment agreements and other documents related to IT;
• Providing logistic support related to the technical requirements during the variety of the Project’s events (Skype, Zoom presentations, equipment for the simultaneous translation, microphones, etc.);
• Assistance in drafting and proofreading of the Project’s IT-related documentation (Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA), selection memoranda, etc.);
• Participate in selection committees as voting member (subcontracts related to procurement of computer equipment, other equipment and software for the Project’s counterparts). Participation in drafting all IT-related tender documentation including RFP and memorandum;
• Support / follow up in drafting documents / providing expertise in agreements and acts (certificates) of acceptance of computer equipment, other equipment and software transferred from the AGRO Activity to counterpart on temporary basis during the Project life and on permanent basis during the Project closeout;
• Comply with Chemonics’ standards of business conduct;
• Perform other appropriate tasks as requested.

Terms of work, SOW Timing and Reporting Relations:

One-year fixed term employment agreement with possible extension each work year up to the end of the Activity implementation (November 13, 2026), subject to the inclusion of appropriate tasks in the successive Annual Work Plans of the Activity.

Primary Work Location: Kyiv, Ukraine.

Periodic travel to other parts of Ukraine will be necessary.

IT Specialist / Software Engineer works in a Finance and Administration Team under a direct supervision of, and reports to the Finance and Administration Director or his/her designee, or other person(s) as designated by the Chief of Party.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum five (5) years professional experience in a similar position in terms of the job tasks and responsibilities outlined above;
• Masters’ or equivalent degree in IT or related field;
• Sustainable skills for setting up, operating, troubleshooting Fortinet equipment (FortiGate, Wireless, FortiSwitch, Cisco Meraki, etc.);
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365;
• Experience in developing and/or configuring Microsoft Power Apps, Power Automate is a strong advantage;
• Proven ability to work professionally, constructively and collaboratively as part of a team, meet deadlines, communicate effectively, and deal with diverse partners in a challenging environment;
• Ability to manage daily activities and achieve expected results without direct oversight;
• Demonstrated success working in a multinational, multilingual team under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Previous working experience on USAID or other donor-funded projects in a similar position in terms of the job tasks and responsibilities outlined above would be an asset.

Application Instructions

Send electronic submissions by February 15, 2025. Please submit your CV and cover letter. No telephone inquiries, please. Only finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

2025-01-23T17:48:19.000 2025-02-15T23:59:59.000 Full time / Повна зайнятість TELECOMMUTE Україна Кімонікс Інтернешнл Інк. Програма USAID з аграрного і сільського розвитку (АГРО)