Based in Lusaka, Zambia, Lusaka International Community School (LICS) is a co-educational, secular, fee-paying, non-profit school, which provides an internationally recognised education to a culturally diverse, globally-minded student body in a caring and supportive learning environment. LICS holds in high esteem its vision statement which is to “maximise the potential of future world citizens”.

LICS is a leading independent Pre-Primary, Primary, and Secondary School based in the leafy suburb of Roma in Lusaka, Zambia, and is a member of CIS, AISA, and ISAZ.

The school currently has an opening and is looking for a suitably qualified individual to join the LICS community as the ICT Manager with effect 1st May 2023.

1. Requirements

• Proven experience relevant to the tasks indicated below
• Proven experience in ICT project management
• Proven experience with the design and operation of ICT systems processing sensitive data and information
• Experience in managing a team
• Excellent command of both written and spoken English
• Experience in an environment certified to international standards
• Proven previous working experience in the role of a system administrator

Technical expertise:

• Extensive/very good knowledge of all Microsoft applications MS 365 tools and very good knowledge of MS Server versions

2. Qualities

• Motivation – open and positive attitude
• Leadership and people management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Understanding the need of taking people on board to develop ICT at a pace
• Cooperative, practical, solution-driven, and service-oriented attitude
• Ability to establish behaviour management strategies in all sections of the school
• Pro-active sees always the next development step to be done
• Ability to manage special projects, e.g. upgrades, and adhere to agreed timelines
• Proven skills in working in a multicultural setup
• Ability to be flexible regarding the cross-curricular needs of all sections of the school

3. Qualifications

• Minimum a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or another related field
• Preferably master level in management and development of ICT systems
• Advanced courses in network development and management, ICT security, system evaluation and implementation, project management
• Added advantage: Teaching degree with ICT specialism or Bachelors degree (equivalent) with PGCE

4. Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities

4.1 Management

• Management of the ICT Department, including managing department staff, organisation, job design, and work procedures
• Recruit, appraise, retain and supervise the staff of the ICT department
• Review, adjust and implement job descriptions of all ICT staff members on a regular basis
• Capacity planning if possible with external support for specific tasks
• Recruitment of temporary or additional staff for the ICT department
• Management and development of the school’s communication systems (use and implement more team-oriented communication tools compared to traditional solutions).

4.2 Data Management and Protection

• Maintaining and developing cloud-based data backup systems for individual devices and central applications to ensure 100% data security for each staff member’s school and personal data.
• Implementation of second backup solutions for key applications/systems
• Development, implementation, and maintenance of disaster recovery solutions in case of a major incident, that allows the school to have an operational ICT system within 2 to max 48 hours.
• Maintaining and developing the whole system and endpoint security for all devices to ensure the best possible data protection.

4.3 ICT Strategy

• Development and regular review of ICT strategy in cooperation with the school management team to ensure the appropriate short-, medium- and long-term development steps for the whole school in line with the latest international technical and educational developments.
  • Hard- and Software for all stakeholders
  • Learning management systems
  • School management systems
  • Communication systems
• Preparing necessary presentations and documentation of ICT strategy

4.4  Evaluation, Procurement & Implementation

• Evaluation of products and services based on LICS standards and procurement policy incl. negotiation with suppliers before submitting complete evaluation and proposal to the school management
• Finalising supply contracts with selected suppliers and monitoring to supply chain to ensure timely supply
• Quality check of all supplies
• Monitoring installation and final functional tests

4.5  School Management Information System (MIS)

• Maintaining and developing the iSAMS School Management Information System (MIS) to ensure the best possible support for the day-to-day work with the system for all stakeholders
• Identify required development steps to provide better and more efficient solutions in the day-to-day use of the system
• Evaluation of necessary additional apps and modules of/with the MIS to support and implement efficient and effective processes for learners, staff, and parents

4.6  School Learning Management System (LMS)

• Evaluation of a new schoolwide LMS Learning Management System.
• Implementation and further development of the LMS to become an integral part of every teacher’s day-to-day work and to prepare the school to integrate a daily blended learning approach for all learners and to be able to offer virtual learning modules in a medium-term perspective.

4.7  Curriculum Integration and Coordination

• Conduct regular coordination with the three school-specific ICT coordinators to ensure the best possible integration of ICT and technical solutions into the day-to-day teaching and learning – involvement of the three school Principals in key decisions.
• Develop with the academic staff child-centered education/learning styles for the learners.

4.8  Certification / Accreditation / Audit

• Conduct all necessary steps with ICT to achieve new or maintain existing accreditations and certifications (CIS, Microsoft Showcase School, etc)
• Conducting regular (min every 2 years) ICT audit to ensure compliance of LICS systems with international standards.

4.9  ICT Policies

• Develop, review/update current and new required ICT policies in coordination with all school stakeholders (e.g. Acceptable Use Policy, ICT Code of Conduct, BYOD policy, ICT policy, etc.)
• Submission for approval
• Implementation of revised or new policies incl. monitoring and reporting
• Provide inputs in the development of other school policies related to ICT.

4.10 Training

• Develop and coordinate with management of ICT-related training courses for the whole school or specific target groups
• Conduct required internal training for all school staff groups or outsource training for specific staff training requirements.

4.11 Finances

• Development and operation of an annual ICT budget including management of all operational expenditures for ISP, licenses, equipment, support, materials, etc.
• Budgeting of all required annual ICT developments in coordination with all ICT staff, the Business Manager, the Head of the School
• Development of an operating Capital-Expenditure (CAPEX) budget for ICT in close coordination with the school management subject to annual board annual approval.

4.12 Reporting

• Develop, implement and maintain an up-to-date monthly standardised ICT reporting tool of all ICT services and systems to provide the latest information about the status and development of ICT in the institution
• Identify critical areas based on regular monitoring to ensure timely reaction to future challenges.

5. Remuneration

Competitive package.