Solicitation_Computer_Management_Assistant_0514.doc

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

SOL-267-14-000014

ISSUANCE DATE:

May 13, 2014

CLOSING DATE/TIME:

May 30, 2014 / 17:00 Baghdad Time

POSITION TITLE:

Computer Management Assistant (Intermittent)

MARKET VALUE:

GS-09 equivalent ($41,979 to $54,570)

($20.11 to $26.15 per hour)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year intermittent, with possible extension.

The Personal Services Contractor hired under this intermittent contract will provide up to a maximum of 180 workdays of services on an annual basis.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Iraq

SECURITY ACCESS: U.S. Citizen – Secret Security Clearance

Third Country National – RSO Security Certificate

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens / Third Country National (TCN)

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

The Contractor is responsible for providing assistance to the Systems Manager with the technical operations of the Mission's information technology program, including day-to-day operations, installation, maintenance of computer and network equipment, end-user support including operation of the work-order tracking system and providing first-line IT user support. Maintains the inventory of cell phones, BlackBerry and laptop computers.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

LAN and WAN Operation and Administration

65% of time

The primary objective of IT support work is ensuring the highest day-to-day network availability. The Computer Assistant will work with the Network Operations Center (NOC) in Washington to maintain the Mission critical Information Communication Technologies such as VSAT Internet connectivity which feeds the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone trunks and Mission e-Mail systems as instructed by the IT Specialist. The incumbent reports any major issues to the IT Specialist.

The incumbent will assist with the Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) including management of a medium sized virtual “server farm” and a complex collection of LAN devices and equipment that supports 100% availability. The incumbent will assist to maintain additional servers, network software and clients (PCs), upgrade new software releases, patch operating systems, optimize network performance, upgrade client software and maintain backed up copies of server data to prevent accidental loss. The incumbent will also help monitor the network and perform traffic analysis; and test and evaluate computer operating systems when required.

The incumbent will provide support for video conferencing technology that connects all USAID/Iraq offices, including Basrah and Erbil to Baghdad. S/he will support video streams so USAID/Iraq can participate in such events as Town Halls conducted from USAID/Washington.

To keep the computer services in a high availability status, LAN and WAN operation and administration will include troubleshooting of servers, PCs, and LAN devices by replacing broken parts and performing preventive maintenance as required; maintaining system images and antivirus software on both servers’ and users' side; and controlling access to Mission devices by maintaining positive control of network devices.

To properly perform LAN and WAN Operations and Administration, all networked devices must be monitored on a daily basis. The incumbent will be assist to detect vulnerabilities and recommend corrective action, such as monitoring and deploying security patches and anti-virus updates, and updating e-mail filtering tools to maintain USAID’s high standard of Information Systems Security. Information security is taken very seriously and assisting users to successfully navigate information security policy is also an important part of the job.

The incumbent will assist in maintaining equipment inventories and proper disposal of equipment, including advising and assisting Implementing Partners with proper disposal.

The incumbent may present recommendations to the Supervisory Executive Officer regarding reconfiguration and procurement.

Application Support/User Training

35% of time

The incumbent will manage and provide support to all Mission staff on applications, such as: e-mail usage (including the sharing of calendars), spreadsheets, word processing, photo management, graphics, financial management, procurement, project administration, timekeeping, travel management and personnel records. Incumbent issues IT equipment as approved by the Supervisory Executive Officer and maintains inventories.

USAID/IRAQ has several data-driven websites and online collaboration portals built using ORACLE, MS SQL Server and Active Ser Pages (ASP), as well as MySQL and Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP). The incumbent will update and integrate these tools into a single tool or application suite. The incumbent will update and further develop macros and queries already in use by Mission staff to achieve better results and maximize efficiency. Additionally, when software applications are upgraded, it is the responsibility of the incumbent to rewrite existing database linkages, macros and queries.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

a. Education: Associate Degree or two-year vocational certificate in computer science, computer systems administration, or related technical field is required. 10%

b. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of three years of responsible work experience in computer operations and utilization of systems is required. Prior work experience of troubleshooting and installing computer hardware, such as hard drives, network cards, and other peripherals, software installation, and hardware and software procurement is required. Experience with Windows 2003/2008 Servers, Exchange 2003/2008 Servers and WEB Servers (IIS) is required. 35%

c. Knowledge: A basic understanding of government security policies, procedures, internal controls and reporting requirements is required. Thorough knowledge of the entire MS-Office suite, database applications and web applications is required. 15%

d. Skills and Abilities: Good technical training skills, troubleshooting skills, ability to perform and interpret diagnostics, and hardware and software problem resolution skills to maximize the capabilities of USAID/IRAQ computer resources are required. Ability to work on a team, gather and analyze automation requirements, prioritize tasks, and make recommendations for applications that integrate smoothly into the USAID/IRAQ systems and programs are required. Good interpersonal skills are required. Proven ability to communicate effectively in cross-cultural settings is required. 25%

e. Language: Fluency in English and proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, including technical documentation is required. 15%

POSITION ELEMENTS

a. Supervision Received: Reports directly to the Supervisory Executive Officer and receives guidance from IT Specialist who establishes basic parameters of work and determines priorities.

b. Available Guidelines: USAID Automated Directive System and Mission Orders related to USAID operations and administration. Guidance from Chief Information Office (CIO) in AID/W. Computer systems operations and management directives.

c. Exercise of Judgment: Expected to exercise complete professional judgment within parameters established by supervisor and must be able to apply prescribed guidelines effectively.

d. Nature, Level and Purposes of Contacts: Principal contacts are with key USAID staff to manage network performance and availability of the information and system. Must be able to communicate effectively with all users, Department of State counterparts, CIO technicians, and contractors.

e. Supervision Exercised: None.