Guma Davis

In this role, I oversee and coordinate technology direction and strategy, process and quality improvements, as well as manage IT corporate standards compliance. Other duties include; asset management, budgeting for the department, directing IT teams in implementing and enhancing key technologies to mention but a few.
• Schedule upgrades to current applications, which involves testing on various databases and servers to ensure the company does not suffer down time as well as carrying out testing exercises of system upgrades before deployment. This limits the risk of deploying immature systems which do not meet the target.
• Continuously research and recommend innovative, and where possible, automated approaches for system administration tasks by identifying approaches that leverage our resources and provide economies of scale.
• Ensure network functioning and availability for all system users by maintaining and configuring LAN and WLAN network security, as well as monitor the LAN, WLAN, and internet to prevent avoidable pauses in work processes brought on by bad connectivity hence the smooth flow of work activities.
• Conduct investigations and fault analyses, devise strategies to deal with failures in order to maintain business operations and operational efficiency; escalate ICT issues to third-party vendors whenever needed, and thereafter test and verify fixes to ensure optimum performance.
• Have successfully developed an efficient IT team at the organization that adequately meets all user demands moreover in a timely manner by constantly offering IT support to team members so that they can enhance the quality of processes. As a result, all staff receive technical support and assistance, and difficulties are promptly resolved at the facility.

While in this position, I used to coordinate the IT Department. I performed a wide range of duties that included; assessing user needs, developing and implementing systems, allocating resources, upgrading software, adhering to software licensing laws, instructing junior IT managers, and providing support to end users.
• Supported installation and configuration of computer hardware operating systems as well as applications to be used by the organisation within its various departments. These made it possible for all departments to work hence ensure business continuity.
• Performed configuration of new computers or laptops, hardware upgrades and data conversions, hardware troubleshooting assistance, peripheral troubleshooting, and other support that are related to the end user systems for FHI360 employees.
• Maintained the safety and efficiency of computers by ensuring anti-virus and spyware software is installed and up to date on all computers and seeing to it that users are aware of the IT security guidelines hence efficient asset management.
• Facilitated effective communication within the organization by organizing/setting up new computers and office phones as well as company e-mail addresses for employees. This eased communication among people from different offices thus saved time.
• Conducted daily system monitoring, verified the integrity and availability of all hardware, server resources, systems and key processes, review system and application logs, as well as verified the completion of scheduled jobs such as backups.
• Participated in the development of some of the company IT policies, procedures and professional work practices based on national, international and industry standards, which organized the department.

As an IT Systems Analyst, my responsibility was to configure, maintain, and support computers in the workplace. My duties included; to analyse areas of improvement in IT processes, design techniques for the implementation of new systems and train the employees on the same, simulate processes to resolve operating difficulties, conduct electrical safety checks on computer equipment, and set up new users' accounts and profiles and deal with password issues to mention but a few.
• Worked hand in hand with various departments to assess operations and propose software solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness of business processes. As a result, devised ways that different departments could use current applications to improve the daily operations such as the use of Microsoft Project for the programs department to manage various projects within the organisation, and Accounting Software for the Finance Department.
• Oversaw the technical architecture supporting the organization's various database applications and data flows between systems, as well as maintained accurate information within the ISS tracking system. This resulted in efficient information processing and strong data integrity at the organisation.
• Supported the team to prioritize tasks according to their level of severity or importance through the IT helpdesk system by tracking user requests until resolution. As a result, achieved timely resolution of all IT-related problems and complaints from organization staff, which ensured operational efficiency in the organization.
• Maintained and configured the organization’s network security, and monitored the internet to ensure network functionality and availability to all system users so as to ensure there are no interruptions in work operations caused by poor connectivity. This facilitated a smooth flow of work operations hence increased productivity.

In this position, I took responsibility for server migration, IT Policy implementation, support, and upgrades. This involved managing the installation, operation, and maintenance of computer networks and communication systems, configuration and setting up of new workstations, reviewing of installed software, troubleshooting and maintenance of the IT asset inventory for all IT equipment among various other duties.
• Carried out IT equipment maintenance tasks and ensured that IT equipment required for FHI 360 staff and partners is available and performing at an optimum level. This reduced the risk associated with some workplace hazards and also provided safer working conditions thus leading to high-performance in service delivery.
• Developed an IT helpdesk system for the organization and this helped in analyzing IT needs and trends through the documented requests. The organization was therefore enabled to forecast and plan accordingly thereby avoiding breakdowns hence ensuring seamless operations.
• Maintained the safety and efficiency of computers through routine maintenance, regular deployment of antivirus software, performing regular backups, and ensuring that users are aware of and implement the IT security guidelines. As a result, the organization maintained efficiently operating IT equipment which facilitated continuity of work operations.
• Efficiently maintained information records such as IT equipment inventories; and IT network and system configuration details. These served as reference for troubleshooting technical issues and also made tracking of equipment simple.
• Took responsibility for carrying out testing exercises of system upgrades before deployment. This limited the risk of deploying immature systems which did not meet the target.

While here, I managed and maintained a mixed server environment (Windows/Unix/Linux), ensuring 99.9% uptime. I successfully evaluated, monitored and enhanced the IT infrastructure with an emphasis on availability, reliability, scalability, security, data confidentiality and system integrity by performing software installations, providing end user support, conducting hardware maintenance, and troubleshooting problems with computer systems.
• Reengineered the organisation’s systems setup, establishing automated server generation routines, optimizing system performance, installing upgrades/patches, establishing system monitoring and maintaining security protocols.
• Ensured that all server hardware, operating systems, software and procedures aligned with organizational standards and strategic business plan.
• Acted as escalation point for troubleshooting advanced network/systems issues; consistently earned 100% issue-resolution scores by providing excellent service to internal and external customers.
• Trained employees across multiple departments on network operations including log-in procedures, network management software, permissions, printing issues, security and use of software resulting in operational efficiency.