AFRINIC Hostmasters

The African Network Information Center (AfriNIC), the African Regional
Internet Registry, seeks two highly qualified candidates to fill the vacancy
of Hostmaster in 2002. Candidates must be nationals of a member state of the
African Union. AfriNIC offers competitive salary structure and benefits.
Applications with accompanying curriculum vitae may be submitted in English
or French and must be submitted by email to [email protected] on or
before 1 July 2002. Applicants who make the short list may be
interviewed either by email or through a physical meeting. Successful
candidates will be notified no later than 25 August 2002. See
www.afrinic.org
for additional information. The details of the requirements include:

Object of the function

The overall goal of this function is to process requests sent by
contributing ISPs and to provide LIR's with support and guidance.
Implementation and promotion of global Internet IP address policies and
procedures is a key factor for this function.

Job Description

Every host directly connected to the Internet needs an address which is
globally unique, and while the Internet continues to grow, available
Internet address space is becoming limited. Afrinic Hostmasters play a key
role in the allocation of Internet address space within the African region,
and in ensuring that address space is used efficiently.

Afrinic Hostmasters receive requests for Internet address space and related
resources from ISPs and similar organizations, which may or may not be
members of AfriNIC. In turn, those organizations may assign parts of their
allocation space to their own customers.

Every request received by AfriNIC must be assessed in detail before an
allocation is made, through detailed analysis of technical infrastructure
plans, network growth projections, and general technical consistency. In
some cases, AfriNIC may also review and approve proposals by AfriNIC
customers to assign address space to their own customers.

Almost all communications with AfriNIC customers is via the Internet itself,
and is email or WWW based.

Responsibilities

The general responsibilities of Afrinic hostmasters include:

* Handling of requests for Internet address space and related resources;
* Maintenance of Afrinic resource registration databases;
* Maintenance of customer relationships to a high standard;
* Designing and/or implementing new software tools and systems, as
needed;
* Reporting to the Manager of the Member Services department;
* Maintenance of technical fluency and knowledge.

The specific responsibilities of Afrinic hostmasters include:

* Review of individual applications, including technical analysis of
infrastructure plans and projections;
* Allocation and assignment of address space in response to requests, as
they are approved;
* Entry and maintenance of allocations and assignments within AfriNIC
registration databases;
* Responding in a timely manner to address space and related queries;
* Provision of technical support to AFRINIC members, where needed;
* Review of assignments made by AFRINIC members to their own customers;
* Reference of non-routine requests to appropriate senior staff.

According to their qualifications and interests, Internet Resource Analysts
are encouraged to participate where possible in AFRINIC activities other
than those listed above. Such activities may include documentation,
training, web site maintenance, technical development, and related
activities.

Attributes

The following specific attributes are essential in candidates for a Internet
Resource Analyst position:

* Willingness and ability to learn new skills quickly;
* Good interpersonal and communication skills, and good knowledge of
English both written and spoken;
* Enjoy teaching to younger professionals
* Ability to perform administrative tasks reliably;
* Ability to learn and use Unix and X-windows based computer tools;
* Flexible attitude to work;
* Ability to adapt to a quickly changing environment.
* Willingness to work in any location in Africa
* Agree to sign a 2 year contract with Afrinic

The following attributes are desirable but not necessarily essential.

* Minimum of one year's work experience, in an ISP, Internet or related
environment;
* Work experience in an international environment;
* Possess a valid work visa for Schengen states;
* Work experience in a support and/or customer service role;
* Familiarity with Unix and X-windows based computer tools;
* Knowledge of TCP/IP and Internet applications;
* Ability to speak another language (French, Spanish), Bilingual highly
appreciated;
* Familiarity with LAN/WAN networking technologies.

Location

* Minimum of one year under RIPE staff in Amsterdam to get skills and to
be familiar with RIPE procedures
* Relocation, after stay in Amsterdam, to a Host country in Africa to be
determined at a later date.