Network Technician

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), re-established by proclamation No. 1133/2011, is the constitutionally mandated body to conduct elections, organize referenda, and regulate political parties in Ethiopia. NEBE is working to boost its institutional strength with a special focus on the enhancement of human resource capacity. Accordingly, NEBE would like to invite applicants for the Network Technician Position who meet the following requirements.

Required number:         One

Reports to:                     ICT Project Manager        

Duty station:                  NEBE Headquarters, Addis Ababa

Duration:                        Six Months with the possibility of Extension

Salary:                             As per the organization’s salary scale

Job Summary

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Network Technician to provide frontline support for our network infrastructure. In this role, you will be responsible for the installation, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting of our physical and logical network components. You will work closely with the Network Engineer(s) and Systems Administrators to ensure the network operates efficiently and reliably, responding swiftly to resolve any issues that arise.

Duties and responsibilities

Network Support & Troubleshooting: 

• Provide first-line investigation and diagnosis of network incidents, resolving issues related to connectivity, latency, and performance.
• Respond to and resolve help desk tickets in a timely manner, providing excellent internal customer support.
• Perform routine network maintenance tasks, including patching, rebooting devices, and running diagnostic tests.

Installation & Configuration: 

• Install, rack, and cable network hardware, including routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points, and patch panels.
• Assist senior engineers with the configuration of new network devices under their guidance.
• Run, terminate, and test copper (Cat5e/Cat6) and fiber optic network cables.

Monitoring & Documentation: 

• Monitor network performance and availability using established tools (e.g., PRTG, SolarWinds, Nagios).
• Create and maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of network diagrams, cabling layouts, IP address allocations, and configuration details.
• Maintain inventory of network equipment, spare parts, and consumables.

Preventative Maintenance: 

• Perform regular physical inspections of network closets and data centers to ensure cleanliness, proper cable management, and environmental controls.
• Replace faulty network hardware components like switches, routers, and wireless access points.

Collaboration:

• Escalate complex problems to senior network engineers or administrators with detailed notes on troubleshooting steps already taken.
• Work collaboratively with other IT team members to resolve cross-functional issues.

Education: Associate’s degree in Information Technology, Network Administration, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent technical certification.

Certification: CompTIA Network+ or Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) is highly desirable. CCNA is a strong plus.

Experience: minimum 3 years of experience in a network support, IT support, or technician role.

Technical Knowledge: 

• Foundational understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, Subnetting).
• Experience with network cabling standards and termination (Ethernet, fiber).
• Familiarity with network hardware (routers, switches, firewalls, wireless controllers).
• Basic experience with network diagnostic tools (e.g., ping, traceroute, nslookup) and cable testers (toners, TDRs).

Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, and work in tight spaces like wiring closets.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with a ticketing system (e.g., Jira Service Desk, ServiceNow, Zendesk).
• Basic knowledge of wireless networking principles and troubleshooting.
• Hands-on experience with specific vendors like Cisco, HPE/Aruba, or Ubiquiti.
• Any exposure to network monitoring software.

Soft Skills & Personal Attributes 

• Problem-Solver: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a logical approach to troubleshooting.
• Customer-Focused: A patient and professional demeanor with a strong commitment to providing excellent customer service to internal users.
• Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to detail, especially concerning documentation and cable management.
• Team Player: Excellent collaboration skills and a willingness to learn from senior team members.
• Proactive & Reliable: Self-motivated, able to work independently on assigned tasks, and dependable in following procedures.