Information Technology (IT) Assistant job at Babies and Mothers Alive Foundation (BAMA)

Position Purpose

The IT Assistant will play a critical role in supporting the Integrated Action for Improving Maternal and Newborn Health in Rwenzori and Busoga regions (WeCare) Project, particularly the MAMA Rescue Transport Call and Dispatch Solution. This position will ensure the seamless, real-time coordination of emergency transport services for maternal and newborn health. Additionally, the role will involve providing IT support to BAMA Foundation staff, maintaining IT infrastructure, managing data, and ensuring network security to facilitate efficient project operations and overall organizational success.

Key Responsibilities

a) Core Support and Systems Administration for the MAMA Rescue and Family Connect Platforms

• Serve as the primary technical lead for the MAMA Rescue Transport Call and Dispatch Solution, ensuring its 24/7 operational readiness and reliability for real-time emergency coordination.
• Proactively monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve system performance issues, connectivity challenges, and user-reported errors to prevent delays in maternal and newborn emergency response.
• Design, implement, and maintain electronic data collection tools and system entry screens to streamline digital workflows for patient referrals, dispatch tracking, and emergency reporting.
• Train, mentor, and provide continuous technical support to dispatch teams, health workers, and transport providers (e.g., ambulance and boda boda drivers) on the effective use of the platform.
• Ensure the secure integration, data synchronization, and interoperability of the MAMA Rescue system with other project and Ministry of Health digital health platforms for seamless patient tracking.
• Generate and analyze system performance dashboards and reports (e.g., referral trends, response times, transport utilization) to support project monitoring and strategic decision-making.

a) IT Infrastructure, Security and Asset Management

• Provide comprehensive first-line IT support to all project staff, resolving hardware, software, and network issues for desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.
• Set up, configure, deploy, and maintain all office and field-based IT equipment, ensuring staff have functional tools.
• Manage the organization's local area network (LAN) and internet connectivity, with a focus on ensuring stable, high-priority access for the MAMA Rescue system.
• Implement and monitor cybersecurity measures (antivirus, firewalls, access controls) to protect sensitive maternal health data, ensuring compliance with privacy and ethical guidelines.
• Perform regular data backups and support disaster recovery planning to safeguard critical project information.
• Maintain a comprehensive, updated inventory of all IT hardware and software assets, managing their lifecycle from procurement to disposal in line with organizational and donor requirements.

b) Field Support, Capacity Building and Digital Enablement

• Provide on-site and remote IT support to field teams across project districts, ensuring robust connectivity and functionality of digital tools in remote locations.
• Develop user-friendly manuals, guidelines, and troubleshooting resources for all supported systems and applications.
• Conduct tailored IT and digital literacy training for staff, health workers, and community responders on data management, mobile applications, and digital best practices.
• Assist field teams and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) in troubleshooting mobile health applications and community-based digital interventions.

c) Other Duties

• Provide GIS-linked mapping and trip reports for project activities as required.
• With approval from the Project Coordinator, submit cash requests for field activities.
• Perform any other IT-related duties as assigned by the supervisor to support project success.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a Diploma in Information Technology (IT), Computer Science, Information Systems, or a closely related field. A Bachelor's degree in these disciplines is a distinct advantage.
• At least 2 years of progressive, hands-on experience in IT support, systems administration, or digital platform management. Experience within a health, emergency response, or NGO setting is highly preferred.
• Demonstrable competence in the following areas is essential:
  • Strong practical knowledge of local network (LAN) management, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and implementing basic cybersecurity measures.
  • Proven ability to set up, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot computers, mobile devices, and standard software applications.
  • Experience in providing direct technical support and clear training to non-technical users.
• Familiarity with digital health platforms, emergency dispatch systems, or maternal/newborn health technologies is a significant asset.
• Experience in configuring, monitoring, and providing user support for web-based or mobile applications, including user management and performance monitoring.
• Demonstrated skills in one or more specialized areas, such as:
  • Basic web/mobile application support or development.
  • Database management and data integration concepts.
  • Designing simple electronic data collection tools (e.g., using ODK, Kobo Toolbox).

Key Competencies and Attributes

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues quickly and calmly, especially in time-sensitive emergency support scenarios.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a patient, clear, and effective communication style for training health workers, dispatchers, and field staff.
• A dedicated focus on providing reliable support and anticipating technical needs before they become problems.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to remote field sites, work flexibly in challenging environments, and adapt to dynamic project needs.
• A genuine interest in leveraging technology to directly improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.

• Serve as the primary technical lead for the MAMA Rescue Transport Call and Dispatch Solution, ensuring its 24/7 operational readiness and reliability for real-time emergency coordination.
• Proactively monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve system performance issues, connectivity challenges, and user-reported errors to prevent delays in maternal and newborn emergency response.
• Design, implement, and maintain electronic data collection tools and system entry screens to streamline digital workflows for patient referrals, dispatch tracking, and emergency reporting.
• Train, mentor, and provide continuous technical support to dispatch teams, health workers, and transport providers (e.g., ambulance and boda boda drivers) on the effective use of the platform.
• Ensure the secure integration, data synchronization, and interoperability of the MAMA Rescue system with other project and Ministry of Health digital health platforms for seamless patient tracking.
• Generate and analyze system performance dashboards and reports (e.g., referral trends, response times, transport utilization) to support project monitoring and strategic decision-making.
• Provide comprehensive first-line IT support to all project staff, resolving hardware, software, and network issues for desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.
• Set up, configure, deploy, and maintain all office and field-based IT equipment, ensuring staff have functional tools.
• Manage the organization's local area network (LAN) and internet connectivity, with a focus on ensuring stable, high-priority access for the MAMA Rescue system.
• Implement and monitor cybersecurity measures (antivirus, firewalls, access controls) to protect sensitive maternal health data, ensuring compliance with privacy and ethical guidelines.
• Perform regular data backups and support disaster recovery planning to safeguard critical project information.
• Maintain a comprehensive, updated inventory of all IT hardware and software assets, managing their lifecycle from procurement to disposal in line with organizational and donor requirements.
• Provide on-site and remote IT support to field teams across project districts, ensuring robust connectivity and functionality of digital tools in remote locations.
• Develop user-friendly manuals, guidelines, and troubleshooting resources for all supported systems and applications.
• Conduct tailored IT and digital literacy training for staff, health workers, and community responders on data management, mobile applications, and digital best practices.
• Assist field teams and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) in troubleshooting mobile health applications and community-based digital interventions.
• Provide GIS-linked mapping and trip reports for project activities as required.
• With approval from the Project Coordinator, submit cash requests for field activities.
• Perform any other IT-related duties as assigned by the supervisor to support project success.

• Strong practical knowledge of local network (LAN) management, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and implementing basic cybersecurity measures.
• Proven ability to set up, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot computers, mobile devices, and standard software applications.
• Experience in providing direct technical support and clear training to non-technical users.
• Familiarity with digital health platforms, emergency dispatch systems, or maternal/newborn health technologies.
• Experience in configuring, monitoring, and providing user support for web-based or mobile applications, including user management and performance monitoring.
• Basic web/mobile application support or development.
• Database management and data integration concepts.
• Designing simple electronic data collection tools (e.g., using ODK, Kobo Toolbox).
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective communication style.

• A minimum of a Diploma in Information Technology (IT), Computer Science, Information Systems, or a closely related field. A Bachelor's degree in these disciplines is a distinct advantage.
• At least 2 years of progressive, hands-on experience in IT support, systems administration, or digital platform management. Experience within a health, emergency response, or NGO setting is highly preferred.