Soka Zimba
Lusaka
Summary
Creative in solving problems, team player, loyal and determined. With a great ability to cope with work pressure, exhibiting strength in task and time management skills. Furthermore, I can work with global intercultural teams. I have at least 10 years of work experience in leading the ICT team, Server Management, Networking, Computer maintenance, and ICT management. Excellent at virtualization and cloud computing. Great skills at security testing and penetration of the network using Kali Linux. Good at big data analytics, the Internet of Things, and climate change informatics. I am also good at adapting to new ICT technologies. Therefore, I am fit for any position related to the skills I have attained.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Part-time Lecturer
ZCAS University
01.2023 - Current
- I lecture Courses on IoT Security, CCNA Security, CCNA Cybersecurity Operations, Organizational and Societal Security, Corporate Security Policy, and Critical Infrastructure Protection
- One paper has been published and in February 2025, I am publishing another paper
ICT System Administrator
ZCAS University
01.2022 - Current
- I became the first person to start the ICT department of ZCAS University and have been leading the team since 2022
- I am overseeing the day-to-day operations of the ICT department of the University
- Planning and implementing new ICT projects
- Ensuring the security of the university's ICT systems and data
- Responsible for overseeing the installation and maintenance of the university's wireless network infrastructure
- Formulated and implemented ICT policies to ensure the security and efficiency of the university's ICT systems
- Managed the budget for the ICT section, ensuring cost-effective solutions were implemented while maintaining high-quality standards
- Led planning and implementation efforts for various ICT projects, including software upgrades and system integrations
- Guided the procurement of ICT equipment, negotiating contracts with vendors to secure the best deals for the university
- Providing strategic leadership for the university's ICT function
- Developing and maintaining the university's ICT policies and procedures
- Have been overseeing the procurement of new ICT hardware and software
- Have designed and implemented a Wireless network for the University
- I have been configuring and managing Moodle the eLearning portal for ZCAS University
- I manage various ICT systems for the University, including websites, exam systems, and student information systems
- I also configure Active Directory, Unifi controller, and firewall
- Have been providing training and support to university staff on IT-related matters
- Have been working with other departments on ICT-related projects
- I have been writing and submitting the ICT department reports to the Registrar
- I have been assessing my subordinates' performance contracts and providing KPIs
- Have been keeping up to date with the University's latest ICT trends and technologies
ICT System Administrator
Zambia Daily Mail Limited
01.2013 - 12.2022
- Monitored systems of focus with appropriate alerting and automated recovery based on standards and best practices
- Provided IT technical expertise to application developers, operations, and other IT staff for systems development and production support
- Provided technical expertise to IT staff in the design and development of infrastructure systems to ensure a robust and stable environment
- Participated in formulating and implementing IT standards and policies to support the operational environment
- Developed all the supporting technical documentation to facilitate consistency and quality of installations, systems upgrades, and recovery
- Worked on a project for disaster recovery of the organization on both hot sites and warm sites
- I demonstrated great skills in network, firewall installation, and configurations for the organization
- Administered and designed LANs, WANs, and Internet/intranet and voice IP networks for the organization
- I was outstanding at configuring Cisco routers and switches, for instance, WAN, LAN, VLANs, VPN, and Wireless Networks
- Laid network cables, mounting servers into the cabinet, and configuring the iLO network for the HP servers’ management to monitor the performance of the servers
- Configured VoIP phones for the organization
- Monitored WAN and LAN network performance
- Maintained network and ICT devices for about nine (9) Zambia Daily Mail Limited branches
- Conducted network connectivity troubleshooting such as ping, tracert, and telnet
- I was overseeing Sage evolution and the payroll system
- Adhered to and implemented ICT standards and policies
- I effectively contributed to positive team performance and the achievement of business targets
- Helped the ICT manager to prepare a budget for the section and department of the organization
- Acted for the position of ICT Manager several times
- I had outstanding interpersonal and listening experience
- Fluency in English and belief in teamwork
ICT System Administrator
Zambia Air Force (ZAF)
01.2008 - 12.2012
- Provided ICT user support and training for the organization
- Administered Servers and other peripheral devices
- Communicated and negotiated with users, specialists, other staff, and suppliers
- Investigated, diagnosed, and resolved all network problems
- Upgraded and repaired faults on the network and peripheral devices
- Maintained pre-packaged software applications on the LAN
- Used to oversee the Microsoft NAVISION payroll system
- Used to troubleshoot hardware devices and installation of the Windows operating system
- Provided solutions to install and update software on all computers
- Ensured error-free backup of data on file servers
- Performed military duties for the Defense force
- Managed and monitored WAN and LAN security
ICT Technician
Zambia Air Force
01.2006 - 12.2008
- Installed and configured Active Directory, File Server, and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP Server)
- Deployed Antivirus on the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and 2008
- Helped systems administrator maintain the payroll system
- Installed WAN and LAN cabling
- Conducted Safety Precautions
- Conducted Hardware and Software Installation
- Run Windows Systems Update
- Repaired computers, printers, and other peripheral devices
- Helped users to resolve computer technical problems
- The IT Director said: "Soka Zimba is a brilliant computer specialist and is recommended to pursue advanced computer management courses such as server management and networking."
- Became one of the best and most reliable computer specialists in the Zambia Air Force
Education
PhD - Computer Science
ZCAS University
01.2025
Postgraduate Diploma - Teaching Methodology
ZCAS University
01.2024
Master of Science - Computer Science
National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA)
01.2022
BSC - Information Technology
Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management
01.2019
Diploma - Information Technology
University of Zambia
01.2007
General School Certificate -
Chama High School
01.1999
Skills
- Policy formulation
- Designing WAN
- Designing LAN
- Implementing WAN
- Implementing LAN
- Maintaining network equipment
- Documenting network infrastructure
- Configuring servers
- Configuring Cisco routers
- Configuring Cisco switches
- Repairing computer hardware
- Configuring RIP
- Configuring EIGRP
- Configuring OSPF
- Configuring DHCP
- Configuring static IP
- Configuring VLANs
- Configuring VPN networks
- Configuring MPLS networks
- Maintaining ICT equipment
- Upgrading networks
- Designing Windows Servers
- Configuring Windows Servers
- Implementing Windows Servers
- Configuring Virtual Machines
- Designing Windows Exchange Server
- Implementing Windows Exchange Server
- Configuring Linux computers
- Configuring Apple computers
- Developing applications in Java
- Developing applications in Python
- Working with Hadoop
- Working with MongoDB
- Working with Spark
- Working with WEKA
- Working with SmartCare software
- Working with SQL databases
- Guiding procurement of ICT equipment
- Configuring firewalls
- Developing server infrastructure
- Maintaining server infrastructure
- Optimizing server infrastructure
- Understanding Data centre infrastructure
- Understanding Veeam backup
- Understanding replication systems
- Designing disaster recovery plans
- Maintaining backup system
- Managing internet service provider relationship
- Troubleshooting internet connectivity
- Installing software
- Managing software
- Conducting disaster recovery systems
- Planning programs
- Coordinating programs
- Delivering programs
- Providing solutions to malware threats
- Configuring WSUS servers
- Verifying Windows updates
- Monitoring network diagnostics
- Maintaining network devices
- Maintaining printers
- Project management principles
- Estimating project timing
- Estimating resource utilization
- Estimating project costs
- Installing network cables
- Configuring network cables
Accomplishments
- Served as the secretary of the ICT steering committee.
- Designed and implemented the first-ever wireless network for the university.
- Published a paper on water quality monitoring based on IoT.
- Led cost-saving initiatives at Zambia Daily Mail Limited.
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 11/11/79
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Zambian
- Marital Status: Married
Awards
- Best ICT staffer – 2017
- Best employee of the year 2022 at Zambia Daily Mail Limited
References
- Dr Christopher Chembe, Director ICT, National Institute of Public Administration, Lusaka Main Campus, Lusaka, Lusaka, 0972 890297, cchembe@nipa.ac.zm
- Dr. Clement Sinyangwe, ICTAZ President, Lusaka, Lusaka, 0976126775, clementsinyangwe1@gmail.com
- Dr. Aaron Zimba, Dean of SOCTA, ZCAS University, Lusaka, Lusaka, 0965801368, aaron.zimba@zcasu.edu.zm
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading about the solar system
- Cooking
- Swimming
Declarations
I, Soka Zimba, have declared that the above information given is true, clear and sincere and will work to the benefit of the organization.
Shortcourses
- Computer Hardware, Printer and Monitor Repair (Industrial Training Center)
- Local Area Network (Industrial Training Center-Trust)
- Time management
- Cyber security
- First AID
- E-GP ZPPA
Timeline
Part-time Lecturer
ZCAS University
01.2023 - Current
ICT System Administrator
ZCAS University
01.2022 - Current
ICT System Administrator
Zambia Daily Mail Limited
01.2013 - 12.2022
ICT System Administrator
Zambia Air Force (ZAF)
01.2008 - 12.2012
ICT Technician
Zambia Air Force
01.2006 - 12.2008
PhD - Computer Science
ZCAS University
Postgraduate Diploma - Teaching Methodology
ZCAS University
Master of Science - Computer Science
National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA)
BSC - Information Technology
Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management
Diploma - Information Technology
University of Zambia
General School Certificate -
Chama High School
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