Terms of Reference: Assistant Manager - IT

INTRODUCTION

The Aga Khan Schools (AKS), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a global education system of schools, hostels and non-formal education programs, serving more than 2,00,000 learners annually across the Globe. Supported by over 10,000 teachers and staff, alongside dedicated volunteers, AKS is committed to improving quality of life through education by expanding access to high-quality, value-based learning that prepares learners to contribute meaningfully to their communities and an increasingly interconnected world.

The core purpose of this role is to manage the Information Technology function by ensuring the effective delivery of secure, reliable and creative technology services, infrastructure, systems and data capabilities that support educational excellence, operational efficiency and organizational growth while ensuring alignment with AKS global technology strategy and governance standards. Specifically, the role will entail accountability for overall IT leadership, technology strategy execution, governance, investment planning, risk management and delivery of technology-enabled business outcomes across all schools and IT operations.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This is a management position with functional and administrative reporting to Regional Head - IT / Head of Academy. The employee shall be based in the country of operation of the Academy / School as informed by the local HR and shall perform duties and responsibilities defined below, and such other duties and obligations as may be identified to the employee from time to time.

Major Responsibilities Include:

1. IT Operational Planning and Management

- Manage medium and long term coordinated planning based on the schools educational objectives to keep the schools up to date with developments in IT.
- Optimize technology investments to achieve organizational value and financial sustainability.
- Develop, own and manage the entity's IT budget and track its utilization.
- Drive cost optimization and technology rationalization initiatives.
- Manage implementation of approved IT governance frameworks, policies, best practices and procedures.
- Manage IT strategy execution and technology planning aligned with organizational objectives.
- Manage IT risks and track risk mitigation activities.
- Coordinate internal and external IT audits and track remediation of audit findings and control weaknesses.
- Monitor IT performance and ensure achievement of agreed strategic and operational objectives.
- Representing IT in leadership forums.

2. IT Service Delivery & End User Support

- Manage delivery of IT services to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
- Define service levels and ensure service levels are achieved through effective incident, problem and service request management.
- Ensure that IT business continuity and risk mitigation measures are in place to ensure continuity of IT services.
- Monitor service performance and implement continual service improvement initiatives.
- Provide leadership during major incidents and critical service disruptions.

3. Technology Infrastructure

- Manage planning, design, implementation, administration, maintenance and continuous improvement of technology infrastructure for offices and schools in the country, including computer networks,



cloud services, telephony, computing devices, education technology, teaching and learning equipment, security and surveillance systems, etc.
- Own infrastructure design, capacity, availability, resilience and roadmaps.
- Own documentation of technology infrastructure.
- Ensure that infrastructure investments are aligned with organizational requirements and technology standards.

4. Information Security

- Provide cybersecurity leadership and governance across all schools and offices.
- Manage implementation of approved cybersecurity policies, controls, compliance programs and industry standards to protect technology infrastructure, systems and data.
- Own cybersecurity risks, plans mitigation and reports posture to executive leadership.
- Ensure periodic security assessments, penetration testing and remediation activities are completed.
- Ensure effective identity management, vulnerability management and security awareness initiatives.
- Manage cyber incident management and post-incident review processes.
- Manage compliance with applicable data protection, privacy, cybersecurity and information governance requirements within the country.

5. Information Systems, Solutions and Innovation

- Develop technology roadmaps that support future educational and business requirements.
- Plan and manage the evaluation, implementation, maintenance, licensing, support and effective utilization of approved information systems, education technology and other solutions.
- Liaise with various stakeholders to elicit requirements, define the business processes, and facilitate the change management.
- Manage effective utilization of technology and innovative solutions to support digital transformation initiatives that improve educational delivery, operational efficiency and user experience.
- Manage evaluation of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, automation tools and modern collaboration platforms.
- Promote innovation and technology adoption across schools and support functions.

6. Data Management and Analytics

- Gather and assess information needs of various functions across organization.
- Stay up to date with emerging trends and best practices in data and analytics and partner with business leaders to implement data governance, reporting and analytics capabilities that support institutional decision-making.
- Provide advice and support to senior management on data-related matters.
- Manage implementation and operations of data warehouse and analytics tool for dashboard reporting.
- Ensure organizational data security and compliance.
- Promote the effective use of reporting and analytics to support informed decision-making.

7. IT Asset Management

- Manage the lifecycle of IT assets and software licensing and optimize technology investments.
- Ensure effective planning, procurement, deployment, maintenance and disposal of IT assets.




- Ensure that an up-to-date list of IT assets including software subscriptions is available and used for replacement planning and timely renewal of subscriptions.

8. IT Project Management

- Manage the planning, prioritization and successful delivery of technology projects.
- Ensure that technology projects are delivered within agreed scope, quality, budget and timelines.
- Manage project risks, resources and stakeholders.

9. Stakeholder Management

- Serve as the technology advisor to the senior management and school leadership.
- Develop strong partnerships with school leadership and other internal and external business stakeholders.
- Translate organizational objectives into technology-enabled solutions.
- Present technology plans, risks and performance updates to management.
- Ensure stakeholder satisfaction through regular engagement and feedback mechanisms.

10. IT Vendor Management

- Own contracts and manage vendor relationships, service delivery and performance.
- Manage technical evaluations and IT procurement activities.
- Prepare effective SLAs, RFQ and RFP based on organization requirements.
- Ensure vendor services deliver value for money and meet agreed service expectations.

11. IT Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery

- Manage IT business continuity and disaster recovery planning across the entity.
- Ensure disaster recovery capabilities are regularly tested, maintained and continually improved.
- Support organizational resilience through effective continuity planning and risk mitigation.
- Ensure IT policies, procedures, documents and knowledge repositories are maintained and regularly reviewed.
- Promote knowledge sharing across the IT functions.

12. People and Performance Management

- Manage and develop the IT team to achieve organizational objectives.
- Allocate resources, set performance expectations and conduct performance reviews.
- Coach, mentor and develop staff while promoting collaboration, accountability and continuous learning
- Build succession capability and foster a high-performing customer-focused IT culture.
- Track, monitor and report portfolio performance against set strategic and annual targets.

13. Other Duties

- Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Regional Head - IT / Head of Academy

Supervises: Direct line management of IT team members at school / Academy.

REQUIREMENTS:

The resource should have:

- Preferably masters degree in computer science, information technology, information management, or a related field.
- Minimum 8 years of progressive IT experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
- Extensive technical knowledge and vast experience of managing technology infrastructure, large-scale academic and enterprise information systems and software solutions.
- Good knowledge of industry best practices, quality standards in IT, cybersecurity and data protection regulations like GDPR, etc.
- Preferably relevant management and technical certifications.
- Excellent planning, organizational, and management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Effective technical writing, communication, and presentation skills in English.
- Ability to build effective working relationships across teams.
- Ability to effectively coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel for work, as needed.

📌 Assistant Manager - IT (Hyderabad)
🏢 Aga Khan Education Services
📍 Hyderabad