Network Administrator

Job Description – Network Administrator

Job Title: Network Administrator

Department: Information Technology
Reports To: IT Manager / Head of IT
Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Purpose

The Network Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation, administration, security, and maintenance of the company’s network infrastructure. The role ensures that users, systems, applications, and business locations have reliable, secure, and efficient network connectivity.

The successful candidate will monitor network performance, troubleshoot connectivity issues, manage network devices and services, support network security initiatives, and work with vendors and other IT personnel to maintain a stable and resilient IT environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Network Administration

• Configure, administer, and maintain switches, routers, firewalls, wireless access points, VPNs, and other network devices.
• Manage LAN, WAN, WLAN, and internet connectivity across company locations.
• Implement and maintain VLANs, IP addressing, routing, DHCP, DNS, and related network services.
• Monitor network performance, availability, and capacity.
• Ensure proper configuration, documentation, labelling, and maintenance of network infrastructure.

2. Network Monitoring & Troubleshooting

• Proactively monitor network infrastructure and identify potential issues before they affect business operations.
• Diagnose and resolve network connectivity, performance, and access issues.
• Investigate network outages and coordinate with Internet Service Providers and vendors where required.
• Perform root-cause analysis and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain records of network incidents, changes, and resolutions.

3. Network Security

• Support the implementation and maintenance of network security controls.
• Administer firewall rules, access controls, VPNs, network segmentation, and secure remote access.
• Monitor for unusual network activity and escalate suspected security incidents.
• Work closely with the IT team to enforce security policies and protect company systems and data.
• Assist with vulnerability assessments, security reviews, and remediation activities.

4. Network Infrastructure Projects

• Support the planning, deployment, configuration, testing, and commissioning of new network infrastructure.
• Participate in network upgrades, office expansions, system migrations, and infrastructure improvement projects.
• Work with contractors and technology vendors during network installations and commissioning.
• Validate network installations against approved designs and specifications.

5. Wireless & User Connectivity

• Configure and maintain corporate wireless networks.
• Manage corporate and guest Wi-Fi access.
• Monitor wireless coverage, performance, and capacity.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues affecting users and business applications.

6. Backup, Documentation & Change Management

• Maintain up-to-date network diagrams, IP address schedules, device inventories, configurations, and technical documentation.
• Ensure network device configurations are backed up and recoverable.
• Follow approved IT change-management procedures when making network changes.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of network equipment and associated licenses/support contracts.

7. Vendor & Service Provider Management

• Liaise with ISPs, network equipment vendors, contractors, and other service providers.
• Monitor service performance against agreed SLAs.
• Escalate recurring service issues and ensure timely resolution.
• Participate in vendor assessments and provide technical input into network-related procurement.

8. IT Support & Collaboration

• Provide second-level technical support for network-related incidents.
• Collaborate with IT Support, ERP, Applications, Cybersecurity, and other technical teams to resolve infrastructure-related issues.
• Provide technical guidance to users and junior IT personnel where required.
• Participate in after-hours support during critical outages, major upgrades, or planned maintenance when necessary.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Network availability and uptime.
• Average network incident resolution time.
• Number and recurrence of network-related incidents.
• Successful completion of network projects and upgrades.
• Network security compliance.
• Accuracy and completeness of network documentation.
• ISP/vendor SLA performance.
• Successful implementation of network changes with minimal business disruption.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in network administration or infrastructure support.
• Practical experience administering enterprise networks.
• Experience with routers, switches, firewalls, wireless networks, VPNs, VLANs, DHCP, DNS, and IP networking.
• Experience troubleshooting network connectivity and performance issues.
• Experience working with Internet Service Providers and technology vendors.

Professional Certifications

Any of the following would be an advantage:

• Cisco CCNA/CCNP
• Fortinet NSE/FCP or equivalent
• Sophos certification
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Security+
• Other recognised networking or cybersecurity certifications.

Technical Competencies

• TCP/IP and subnetting
• VLANs and network segmentation
• Routing and switching
• Firewall administration
• VPN configuration
• Wireless networking
• DHCP/DNS
• Network monitoring and troubleshooting
• Network security fundamentals
• Microsoft 365/Azure networking concepts
• Network documentation and change management

Personal Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective during network outages.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Willingness to learn and keep up with emerging networking and cybersecurity technologies.

Role Summary

The Network Administrator will serve as a key technical resource responsible for ensuring the availability, reliability, performance, and security of the company’s network infrastructure. The role requires a hands-on professional who can manage daily network operations while also contributing to infrastructure projects, security improvements, vendor management, and the continuous improvement of the company’s IT environment.