Associate Team Leader - IT Network, Infrastructure and Security

Job Description

About the position

The Networks, Infrastructure, and Security Unit is seeking an Associate Team Leader with advanced technical skills and extensive experience who will be responsible for coordinating the planning, management, design, installation, operation, and connectivity of end-user computers, along with servers and network systems, both on-premises and in the cloud. This involves managing the development, configuration, maintenance, support, and optimization of all hardware, software, and network communication links, ensuring stable functionality of the organization's IT assets.

The Associate Team Leader will also manage a team of network experts, ensuring fast and accurate resolution of end-user issues with internal and external services. Having close collaboration with the research and support departments to guide digital transformation and maximize the use of tools and applications, ensuring uniform solutions and standards across centers and regions.

The position will be based in the operations center of the Americas, located in the Campus of Palmira, Colombia. And it will offer hybrid working conditions.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning:

• Foster strong and collaborative relationships with researchers, understanding their needs, challenges, and objectives. Act strategically between the research community and relevant departments to ensure seamless communication and alignment.
• Lead initiatives to drive digital transformation within the research landscape and collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop strategies and roadmaps for the integration of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders involved in research processes to act as a point of contact for any technology-related concerns, ensuring a proactive and responsive approach to addressing issues.
• Design and implement short and long-term strategic plans to make certain network capacity meets existing and future requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and associated training plans for network resource administration and appropriate use.
• Develop and deploy methodologies for testing network performance and providing network performance statistics and reports on a frequent basis.
• Establish best practices and policies for installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting server hardware, software, and peripheral devices.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for network and infrastructure configurations, policies, and procedures, to facilitate knowledge sharing and future troubleshooting.

Acquisition & Deployment:

• Plan, acquire, and coordinate installation of in-house and remote hardware and software across the organization’s network. And evaluate, approve, and manage all equipment, hardware, and software upgrades.
• Research and make recommendations on network products, services, protocols, and standards in support of network procurement and development efforts.
• Negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure network products and services.
• Assess, approve, and administer all equipment, hardware, and software upgrades.
• Assist in budget planning by providing input on infrastructure-related expenses and capital investments.

Operational Management:

• Supervise IT network and infrastructure unit in Colombia.
• Oversee and guide the design, implementation, and management of the organization's local and wide area networks. At the same time, monitor network performance, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and ensure optimal network uptime.
• Evaluate and recommend network upgrades (hardware and software) to maintain network integrity and efficiency.
• Oversee the maintenance and operation of data centers, server rooms, and other critical infrastructure components.
• Perform and maintain troubleshooting of hardware issues such as servers, routers, switches, firewalls, etc.
• Guide the management of the installation, configuration, and maintenance of server hardware and operating systems both Windows and Linux.
• Provide services costing expertise, direction, and assistance to network analysts, IT/cloud engineers, and other systems architects.
• Document and develop in-depth knowledge of the company’s existing IT cloud architecture/infrastructure, and technology portfolio.
• Manage a good knowledge of DevOps; and work together with DevOps professionals for the deployment of new services.
• Proactively ensure security is appropriately addressed within the area by itself and others, engaging with security specialists as necessary. And contribute to the security culture of the organization.

• Ensure the integration of local and cloud resources without issues. And have proven experience in designing and maintaining hybrid cloud architectures.

  Requirements

Qualifications and requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, electronic engineering, software engineering, or related fields. With a master’s degree, or specialization in computer science, network, infrastructure, security, or similar disciplines.
• Advanced level of English (oral and written).
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of relevant work experience in the information technology field, preferably in an international organization.
• Proven experience in planning, coordinating, and optimizing network and infrastructure operations.
• Significant knowledge of network hardware, software, cybersecurity, and communication technologies.
• Proven experience in network administration and IT infrastructure management.
• Added value to the position: certifications in AWS Networking specialist, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, ITIL, ISO 27001, or Project Management.

Skills and competencies

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Team management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Possibility of making the appropriate decisions in emergency situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Flexibility and adaptation to change.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

  Benefits

Terms of employment

This is a nationally recruited position placed at a BG08, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest.

This is a Colombian national search and will be managed through a fixed-term contract of a one (1) year period, subject to a probation period according to the local legislation, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer, and strive for gender, diversity, and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic.

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