iLab Liberia is an international non-profit
organization dedicated to providing a collaborative and open learning
environment in Liberia that offers free trainings in Information and
Communication Technology (ICTs). iLab’s mission is to assist IT professionals
as well as organizations and institutions in their efforts to more readily
share information using ICTs. Among other activities we offer, iLab staff
provide trainings in open source tools and systems because they promote
interactive communities and shared ownership. iLab hosts local meet-ups as well
as national and international organizations holding events that are in-line with
iLab’s mission.
organization dedicated to providing a collaborative and open learning
environment in Liberia that offers free trainings in Information and
Communication Technology (ICTs). iLab’s mission is to assist IT professionals
as well as organizations and institutions in their efforts to more readily
share information using ICTs. Among other activities we offer, iLab staff
provide trainings in open source tools and systems because they promote
interactive communities and shared ownership. iLab hosts local meet-ups as well
as national and international organizations holding events that are in-line with
iLab’s mission.
Post Title: Director
Duty Station: iLab
Liberia office in Monrovia, Liberia
Liberia office in Monrovia, Liberia
Report to: Board of
Directors, donors
Directors, donors
Start date: February
2013 (including 4-6 week handover with current Director)
2013 (including 4-6 week handover with current Director)
End date: December
31, 2013 (with possibility of extension)
31, 2013 (with possibility of extension)
Background
iLab Liberia has grown significantly since first
opening its doors in May 2011. During its initial six months, iLab became an
international hub for the presidential elections, providing connectivity and
training for journalists, election observers and civil society organizations.
In 2012, iLab has continued as an unparalleled tech center, serving more than
800 individuals and offering a unique combination of cross-sectoral training
and a community of like-minded individuals leveraging technology for the good
of Liberia.
opening its doors in May 2011. During its initial six months, iLab became an
international hub for the presidential elections, providing connectivity and
training for journalists, election observers and civil society organizations.
In 2012, iLab has continued as an unparalleled tech center, serving more than
800 individuals and offering a unique combination of cross-sectoral training
and a community of like-minded individuals leveraging technology for the good
of Liberia.
iLab holds between 6 and 10 events each month with
an average of 30 participants per event, forms new partnerships weekly, and
hosts visiting scholars and external workshops on a regular basis. iLab
partners with civil society organizations, government ministries, NGOs, as well
as academic institutions within Liberia and abroad. iLab has a small but mighty
team of 7 people, a team that works closely together developing course curricula,
forming new partnerships and leading events. in 2013, iLab aims to provide more
in-depth IT training for a variety of entrepreneurs including incubation
services for aspiring IT professionals, extended courses in GIS and computer
programming, trainings aimed at high schoolers and young women, and projects
promoting open data.
an average of 30 participants per event, forms new partnerships weekly, and
hosts visiting scholars and external workshops on a regular basis. iLab
partners with civil society organizations, government ministries, NGOs, as well
as academic institutions within Liberia and abroad. iLab has a small but mighty
team of 7 people, a team that works closely together developing course curricula,
forming new partnerships and leading events. in 2013, iLab aims to provide more
in-depth IT training for a variety of entrepreneurs including incubation
services for aspiring IT professionals, extended courses in GIS and computer
programming, trainings aimed at high schoolers and young women, and projects
promoting open data.
iLab’s co-founder and current Director will be
leaving Liberia in the first quarter of 2012, and the team is seeking a dynamic
and exceptional leader to fill this role. The new Director will manage the
team; grow the lab’s curricula; strengthen existing partnerships and develop
promising new collaborations; oversee the organization’s finances and overall
operations; seek grants for iLab’s continuation; follow existing grant guidelines
and produce the necessary reports and evaluation exercises necessary to meet
each donor’s requirements. iLab is interested in a Director with a strong
technical background in computer science or a similar field in order for iLab’s
national staff to deepen their expertise and for iLab to offer more
technologically advanced courses.
leaving Liberia in the first quarter of 2012, and the team is seeking a dynamic
and exceptional leader to fill this role. The new Director will manage the
team; grow the lab’s curricula; strengthen existing partnerships and develop
promising new collaborations; oversee the organization’s finances and overall
operations; seek grants for iLab’s continuation; follow existing grant guidelines
and produce the necessary reports and evaluation exercises necessary to meet
each donor’s requirements. iLab is interested in a Director with a strong
technical background in computer science or a similar field in order for iLab’s
national staff to deepen their expertise and for iLab to offer more
technologically advanced courses.
Responsibilities
Staff Management
- Manage a multidisciplinary team and build a
strong identity within the team by setting clear expectations, circulating
information, building capacity and assigning tasks well-matched with
staff’s skillsets - With the team, develop and maintain a dynamic
strategic plan for iLab’s long-term growth - Ensure iLab staff comply with all written
policies - Offer in-house tutorials to iLab staff such as
writing skills, use of social media, website content, and other
skill-building tutorials as needed
Support for iLab activities and strategic
partnerships
partnerships
- Oversee coordination, monitoring and
evaluation of all iLab activities and partnerships - Seek out funding opportunities and beneficial
collaborations in-line with iLab’s mission - Provide technical support for projects and
partnerships - Actively participate in local and
international ICT/ICT4D forums - Co-develop monthly curricula with iLab team
- Use social media on a daily basis to promote
iLab’s work - Teach iLab courses on occasion
Financial Management
- Ensure submission of finance, progress, and
donor reports, compliance with donor and internal procedures, and
compliance with national legal obligations - Oversee administrative and financial
management/logistics - Transparently and accurately account for the
use of funds - Manage iLab’s bank accounts and records using
QuickBooks and Google spreadsheets
Job
Requirements
Requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required, master’s
preferred, in computer science or similar technical field; other degrees
considered include business administration, international development,
education for development - At least two years relevant work experience
required (developer/IT professional, ICT4D, business and administration,
international development, international education, humanitarian aid)
Technical
- Content Management Systems such as WordPress
and Drupal - Extensive experience with Linux, and advanced
proficiency with: HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript (including Java for
androids), MySQL, FTP - Demonstrated experience with GIS, Google
Earth, Quantum GIS, ArcGIS and KML files - Quick learner who solves technical and
non-technical problems through online research and good old-fashioned
persistence
Programmatic
- Background in managing large grants, writing
grant proposals and fulfilling existing grant requirements, M&E
experience – all a big plus - Demonstrated knowledge of ICT solutions in low
bandwidth/income environments; familiarity with reaching marginalized
populations via ICTs - Financial management experience preferred
- Capable of promoting and expanding iLab’s paid
services in addition to garnering a wider audience for the lab’s free
events - Experienced program manager, comfortable
managing a collaborative team of people as well as offering one-on-one
support to each staff member - Ability to build effective relationships with
all clients, peers, and stakeholders - Comfortable with public speaking and
facilitating workshops/teaching courses for groups
Interpersonal
- Excellent communication skills in spoken and
written English - Experience working in West Africa or the
region is a plus - Culturally astute, respectful and comfortable
working with diverse groups - Able to negotiate diplomatically, and function
well under pressure in an unpredictable environment - Highly self-motivated, proactive, innovative
and eager to work; especially motivated by working for the public good - Open-minded and adaptable, responsible and
well-organized, a natural community builder with creative problem-solving
skills - Fast learner willing to learn new skills and
apply them quickly; learning on the go is a must - Commitment to abide by high moral standards
and combat corruption proactively
Work
Environment
Environment
This position will be based in Monrovia, Liberia.
The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in a post-conflict
environment challenged by corruption and damaged infrastructure as well as
widespread poverty.
The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in a post-conflict
environment challenged by corruption and damaged infrastructure as well as
widespread poverty.
What we
offer
offer
- Competitive salary, per diem for housing
- Round-trip ticket to and from Liberia
- Evacuation insurance
- Costs covered for all immigration paperwork,
including visas, and all required vaccinations - Three weeks paid vacation and up to 3 weeks
unpaid leave available in 2013 - An opportunity to build on the success of
Liberia’s only technology hub and play a key role in developing the
country’s ICT community - The chance to work with a remarkable team of
Liberians dedicated to improving their country in innovative ways - The joy of working in a multi-cultural work
environment - The beautiful surrounds of Liberia – a country
rich with dense jungle, gorgeous coastline and a sunny tropical climate. A
bonus: iLab’s offices are located 2 blocks from the beach and overlook the
ocean
Application
details
details
To apply for this position, fill out the form below
and email your CV, cover letter and two references’ contact information
to: hiring@ilabliberia.org. All applications must be
sent by December 21, 2012. Applicants will be contacted by January 7th,
2013.
and email your CV, cover letter and two references’ contact information
to: hiring@ilabliberia.org. All applications must be
sent by December 21, 2012. Applicants will be contacted by January 7th,
2013.