IT and Digital Systems Lead
- Role
- DevOps
- Experience
- Lead
- Employment
- Full-time
Open to ZM only. Set where you work from to check your eligibility.
No BS summary
Lead-level IT and digital systems professional with 5+ years in IT, software engineering, network infrastructure, or complex data systems. Must be Zambia/Lusaka-based and strong in Google Workspace administration, infrastructure/security, user support, and stakeholder communication.
Core skills
Required skills
Optional skills
About StrongMinds
StrongMinds is an award-winning nonprofit delivering community-led mental health programmes to hundreds of thousands of clients across Uganda, Zambia, and beyond. We provide proven group therapy to women, adolescents, refugees, and other marginalised populations — and we're growing fast. Data and technology are central to everything we do.
About The Role
The IT and Digital Systems Lead is a high-energy, mission-driven professional who champions the strategic growth of StrongMinds Zambia's (SMZ) technology landscape. S/he ensures that SMZ's IT systems and processes are not just functional and secure, but that staff and field users are well-supported and empowered to leverage technology to deliver their best work at scale. This role is responsible for adapting and implementing the global Information Technology framework to meet SMZ's unique local requirements with precision and integrity, serving as the first Zambia-based representative on a small, close-knit global IT team.
S/he works seamlessly with the global IT team and SMZ leadership across Programs, Research, Finance, HR, and M&E to foster technology use that aligns with organizational goals. S/he serves as the first line of technical support and is an independent, switched-on operator who runs SMZ's office infrastructure and field user networks with minimal hand-holding, building and improving systems where s/he sees opportunity. S/he is an exemplary user support lead for every type of user, from frontline field staff to executive leadership, ensuring that national hardware and software needs are met with urgency while representing SMZ's specific field requirements to the global stage. S/he will manage additional junior tech support resources as the team continues to grow.
Beyond day-to-day operations, this role also contributes to SMZ's broader digital transformation, supporting the development and implementation of a new global data management system, helping to test and refine field data collection tools, designing dashboards and supporting strategic data use, and experimenting with AI integrations. The Lead will also take a significant role in strategizing and executing integrations with government HMIS and eCHIS systems.
While we have defined high technical standards, we recognize that exceptional talent often follows non-traditional paths. We strongly encourage applications from high-potential candidates who may not meet every formal qualification but possess a proven track record of self-directed upskilling and a relentless passion for learning. If you are a rapid learner with a 'can-do' attitude toward solving complex problems, we want to hear from you.
This role reports to the Digital Transformation Director.
What You Will Do
- Independent Office Infrastructure & Asset Management:
- Activities: Own the full IT asset lifecycle end-to-end, from procurement to disposal, with minimal hand-holding. Ensure licensing compliance; manage G Suite/user permissions; enforce security protocols and audit logs.
- Expected Outputs: Comprehensive IT Asset Register; 100% licensing compliance; Secure user access management and standardized hardware provisioning process.
- Network Infrastructure & Maintenance:
- Activities: Lead maintenance and upgrades of firewalls, network infrastructure, and connectivity strategy spanning main office and field sites; monitor performance for high availability; manage provisioning for laptops/tablets.
- Expected Outputs: 99.9% uptime; Stable and secure network; efficient access for field workers.
- Data Security, Business Continuity, and Compliance:
- Activities: Implement and rigorously test automated backup/recovery procedures for program data and SaaS stack; maintain incident logs; develop disaster recovery protocols for SMZ systems. Will act as chief ODPC data protection officer.
- Expected Outputs: Data integrity and zero-loss recovery; Up-to-date Backup Log; Adherence to global policies; Incident Response Registry. Continuous certification and compliance with ODPC regulations.
- Phenomenal User Support & IT Operations:
- Activities: Serve as the first line of technical support for every kind of user, from frontline field staff to executive leadership. Lead high-level troubleshooting; oversee the SMZ incident log; provide monthly reporting on system health and support trends.
- Expected Outputs: Rapid ticket resolution; Monthly IT Performance Reports; Optimized system reliability, stellar feedback from team.
- Digital Transformation & Systems:
- Activities: Map local workflows to inform global system overhaul; lead local implementation of data management migrations; ensure Zambian field realities are integrated into design.
- Expected Outputs: Seamless migration to new data systems; Documented local requirements; Zero data loss during transitions; high user adoption and success rates.
- Field User Networks & Data Innovation:
- Activities: Oversee maintenance and update cycles for field tools (Kobo, CommCare); support testing of AI prototypes and digital data capture innovations; strengthen field user networks nationwide.
- Expected Outputs: High-functioning field tools; viable prototypes; documented QA evaluations; scalable digital innovations.
- Data Analytics & Reporting:
- Activities: Support advanced data extraction and analytics for M&E and Programs; automate dashboards to facilitate data-driven leadership decisions.
- Expected Outputs: Accurate data exports; Real-time automated dashboards for SMZ leadership.
What You Have
Must Have (Required)
- 5+ years of progressive experience in the IT sector, with a proven track record in software engineering, network infrastructure, or the strategic oversight of complex data systems.
- Infrastructure, security, and digital asset management: Comprehensive knowledge of network security, protocols, and industry best practices to ensure a "stable and secure" organizational environment.
- Enterprise administration: Advanced expertise in Google Workspace (G Suite) administration and maintaining related platforms such as Slack, HRIS, payroll platforms, etc.
- Inclusive User Support: Extensive experience providing technical assistance across a wide variety of users, from frontline staff to executive leadership.
- Strategic Communication: Impeccable, proactive communication skills tailored for a remote-first, global organization; able to translate complex tech for diverse stakeholders.
Nice to Have (Preferred)
- BSc/BA in Computer Science/Information Technology/Software Engineering or relevant field.
- Professional Certifications desirable, e.g., PMP/PRINCE2, ITIL, Google Workspace Administration, or similar
- Data architecture: Proficiency in SQL for relational database management, seamless data migration, and complex querying to support global system overhauls and BI needs.
- Technical Innovation: Working knowledge of Python to drive data automation, manage API integrations, and support the development and testing of AI prototypes.
- Familiarity with government digital health systems.
- Experience with configuration and management of field data collection platforms, specifically KoboToolbox and CommCare
- Methodology & Design: Deep understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Agile methodologies, with experience documenting technical requirements and physical designs.
Strong Minds Core Values
- We are people focused. Our clients are the top priority, and we ensure they receive the best possible care and support. Our employees matter and we enable our team to thrive. We respect all our stakeholders and treat them as equals.
- Behaviors Indicators: * Puts clients’ first (internal and external) * Respect for all stakeholders * Show care and provide support to all our clients – both internal and external * Treat all stakeholders equally. * Foster a spirit of teamwork
- We think big and act fast. We are passionate about achieving our bold mission. We move with urgency and focus on achieving scale. We continually find new ways to work and to solve problems.
- Behaviors Indicators: * Works with urgency * Focus on achieving the Mission. * New and innovative ways of working to solve problems
- We are data-driven. Data is at our core. It guides us and drives our decision-making.
- Behaviors Indicators: * Decision-making driven by data. * Putting data at the core of StrongMinds operations
- We do what we say and say what we do. We are open and direct in our communications. We are honest in our interactions. No funny business.
- Behaviors Indicators: * Open and direct communication * Honesty in all interactions * High level of integrity
- We believe in collaboration, not competition. We do not compete with other mental health implementers. We welcome their contributions to achieving our mission and partner with them whenever possible.
- Behaviors Indicators: * Partnership with other mental health implementers * Collaboration within teams
What you'll do
- Champion the strategic growth of StrongMinds Zambia's technology landscape.
- Ensure SMZ's IT systems and processes are functional, secure, and well-supported for staff and field users.
- Adapt and implement the global Information Technology framework for SMZ's local requirements.
- Serve as the first Zambia-based representative on the global IT team.
- Work with the global IT team and SMZ leadership across Programs, Research, Finance, HR, and M&E to align technology use with organizational goals.
- Serve as the first line of technical support.
- Run SMZ's office infrastructure and field user networks with minimal hand-holding.
- Build and improve systems where opportunities are identified.
- Support users from frontline field staff to executive leadership.
- Ensure national hardware and software needs are met with urgency.
- Represent SMZ's field requirements to the global stage.
- Manage additional junior tech support resources as the team grows.
- Contribute to SMZ's broader digital transformation.
- Support development and implementation of a new global data management system.
- Help test and refine field data collection tools.
- Design dashboards and support strategic data use.
- Experiment with AI integrations.
- Strategize and execute integrations with government HMIS and eCHIS systems.
- Own the full IT asset lifecycle from procurement to disposal.
- Ensure licensing compliance.
- Manage G Suite and user permissions.
- Enforce security protocols and audit logs.
- Maintain a comprehensive IT Asset Register.
- Create and maintain secure user access management and standardized hardware provisioning processes.
- Lead maintenance and upgrades of firewalls, network infrastructure, and connectivity strategy across the main office and field sites.
- Monitor network performance for high availability.
- Manage provisioning for laptops and tablets.
- Implement and test automated backup and recovery procedures for program data and the SaaS stack.
- Maintain incident logs.
- Develop disaster recovery protocols for SMZ systems.
- Act as chief ODPC data protection officer.
- Maintain continuous certification and compliance with ODPC regulations.
- Lead high-level troubleshooting.
- Oversee the SMZ incident log.
- Provide monthly reporting on system health and support trends.
- Map local workflows to inform the global system overhaul.
- Lead local implementation of data management migrations.
- Ensure Zambian field realities are integrated into system design.
- Oversee maintenance and update cycles for field tools including Kobo and CommCare.
- Support testing of AI prototypes and digital data capture innovations.
- Strengthen field user networks nationwide.
- Support advanced data extraction and analytics for M&E and Programs.
- Automate dashboards to support data-driven leadership decisions.
What they require
- 5+ years of progressive experience in the IT sector, with a proven track record in software engineering, network infrastructure, or the strategic oversight of complex data systems.
- Comprehensive knowledge of network security, protocols, and industry best practices to ensure a stable and secure organizational environment.
- Advanced expertise in Google Workspace administration and maintaining related platforms such as Slack, HRIS, and payroll platforms.
- Extensive experience providing technical assistance across a wide variety of users, from frontline staff to executive leadership.
- Impeccable, proactive communication skills tailored for a remote-first, global organization.
- Ability to translate complex technology for diverse stakeholders.
- Preferred: BSc/BA in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a relevant field.
- Preferred: Professional certifications such as PMP/PRINCE2, ITIL, Google Workspace Administration, or similar.
- Preferred: Familiarity with government digital health systems.
- Preferred: Deep understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle and Agile methodologies, with experience documenting technical requirements and physical designs.
- High-potential candidates with a proven track record of self-directed upskilling and a strong passion for learning are encouraged to apply.
- Rapid learner with a can-do attitude toward solving complex problems.
StrongMinds is an award-winning nonprofit delivering community-led mental health programmes to hundreds of thousands of clients across Uganda, Zambia, and beyond. It provides proven group therapy to women, adolescents, refugees, and other marginalised populations.