ICT Systems Assistant

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a Regional Economic Community comprising of 21 African states’ which have agreed to promote regional integration through trade development and transport facilitation as well as development of their natural and human resources for the mutual benefit of all their people. Its vision is to be a fully integrated economic community that is prosperous, internationally competitive, and ready to merge into the African Economic Community. In order to realize its vision and objectives, COMESA has also established several semi-autonomous institutions based indifferent Member States to support integration agenda. One of such semi-autonomous institutions is The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) which is based in Lilongwe, Malawi. More information can be obtained from the COMFWB website www.comfwb.org and the COMESA website www.comesa.int

COMFWB was established in recognition of the critical role women play in economic development and the need to ensure their full inclusion in regional integration efforts. Its mandate is to champion the improvement of women’s economic conditions and facilitate their equal participation in national and regional economies. COMFWB serves as a facilitative, coordinative, and catalytic platform, creating an enabling environment for women-owned enterprises to thrive within COMESA and beyond. It provides a forum for knowledge exchange and promotes enterprise growth through targeted interventions such as technical assistance, capacity building, access to finance, export promotion, market research, and investment facilitation.

To advance its strategic objectives, COMFWB is seeking to recruit qualified and experienced professionals to join its Secretariat in Lilongwe, Malawi. These positions offer an opportunity to contribute to a transformative agenda that empowers women entrepreneurs and strengthens regional economic integration. Applications are sought of qualified and experienced professionals for the 3 below vacant positions:

JOB VACANCY ONE:  ICT SYSTEMS ASSISTANT  

JOB TITLE:   ICT Systems Assistant
GRADE: G7
INSTITUTION: COMFWB, COMESA Federation of Women in Business
SALARY SCALE : From COM $8,299.00 to COM$12,031.00 per annum
DUTY STATION: Lilongwe, Malawi‍
CONTRACT DURATION: Five (5) years with the possibility of extension upon satisfactory performance. Includes six (6) months. probationary period.
REPORTING TO: Digital Communication Officer

1.1. SCOPE OF WORK

The ICT Systems assistant will be responsible for supporting, maintaining, and enhancing the organization’s ICT infrastructure to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient operations. The assistant will work under the supervision of the Digital Communications Officer/ Chief Executive Officer and will carry out the following tasks:

1.2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Digital Communication Officer will perform the following functions:

I. ICT Strategy, policy and documentation.

• Policy development: Development the organisation policy on ICT
• System Design & Coordination: Design, develop, implement, and coordinate ICT systems, policies, and procedures.
• Planning and Evaluation: Plan, organize, control, and evaluate IT and electronic data operations.
• Documentation and Asset Management: Maintain ICTdocumentation, asset inventories, and incident logs.

‍ II. System and Network Management

• System Oversight: Manage information technology and computer systems across the organization.
• Hardware and Software Maintenance: Install, configure, and maintain hardware, software, and network equipment.
• Network Infrastructure: Support and maintain the LAN/WAN infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless access points.
• Web and Platform Management: Manage the COMFWB Website and ICT Platforms.
• IP Telephony: Support and maintain internal IP telephone systems, including configuration, troubleshooting, and call routing.
• Monitoring and Availability: Monitor system and network performance, ensuring high availability and security.
• Project Support: Support ICT-related projects, upgrades, and system improvements.

III. Data Security and Compliance

• Security Implementation: Enhance security of data, network access, and backup systems.
• Data Protection: Preserve assets, information security, and control structures.
• Backup and Recovery: Manage system backups, data recovery, updates, and patch management.
• Auditing: Audit systems and assess their outcomes to ensure effectiveness.
• Cyber security & Policy Enforcement: Assist with cyber security measures and ensure compliance with ICT policies

IV. Technical Support and User Training

• Technical Support: Provide first-line and second-line technical support to users across the organization.
• Remote Support: Provide IT support through VOIP and video conferencing tools.
• User Education: Provide user training and guidance on ICT tools and best practices.
• Audio/Visual Support: Operate audio/visual equipment on any promotional activities.
• General Duties: Carry out any other duties as may be assigned to support the secretariat and chapters.

1.3. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualification

• Minimum Diploma in ICT, Information Systems, computer science or a related field.
• Degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.

Experience ‍

• 5 years of proven experience in ICT systems support, website management, network administration, or similar roles,
• Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, and Microsoft 365.
• Experience with network configuration (routers, switches, wireless APs).
• Knowledge of internal IP telephone systems, VoIP technologies, and PBX configurations.
• Familiarity with virtualization, backup tools, and ICT security best practices.
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks under minimal supervision.
• Experience working with the private sector and women entrepreneurs will be an added advantage

4. WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE POSITIONS

Applicants Must be fluent in either English or French or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two or all these languages will be an added advantage.

5. ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

Applicants for the position must be citizens of a Malawi or any COMESA Member country resident in Malawi and should not more than 55 years of age at the time of submitting the application. Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

6. MODE OF APPLICATION

All applications MUST be submitted to the COMFWB secretariate on the prescribed COMESA APPLICATION FORM which can be accessed at the following COMFWB  website: http://www.comfwb.org and COMESA website: http://www.comesa.int/Opportunities, COMESA Job Application Format.

Applications should contain the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, present and permanent address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and details of the applicant’s motivation for applying for the position and other information that the applicant considers appropriate including when he/she is available to assume duties. It shall  also include details (including contact addresses and telephone numbers) of at least three (3) references.

 All applications must be sent electronically to jmasanche@comesa.int with the position being applied for in email subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be  contacted.

All applications must reach COMFWB secretariate electronically by 18:00 on 4th february, 2026 and addressed to following.

Chief Executive Officer
COMFWB SECRETARIAT
OAK House 1, Third Floor
P.O. Box 1499
Lilongwe
Malawi
Email: jmasanche@comesa.int

All applications must reach COMFWB Secretariat by 4th February 2026, 5 pm CAT