Application and Technical Systems Specialist

German Marshall Fund of the United States; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An international non-profit organization in Washington D.C. is seeking an Application & Technical Systems Specialist to provide high-quality technical support and manage enterprise systems. The ideal candidate will have 4-6 years of IT experience, excellent communication skills, and a strong commitment to customer service. Responsibilities include managing technical support, user account administration, and monitoring system performance. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and requires a bachelor's degree in a technology-related field.

Qualifications

• 4-6 years of professional IT experience in an office environment.
• Experience supporting an enterprise environment (on-premise or cloud).
• Experience administering an Office 365 environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 technical support for all staff.
• Manage user account creation and security controls.
• Monitor system health and perform routine maintenance.

Skills

Technical support

Communication skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technology-related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Azure AD/Active Directory

CRM systems

Job description

Department/Program Summary

The Technology & Office Services team supports organizational performance by providing secure, reliable, and effective technical solutions. The team oversees enterprise systems, software lifecycle management, integrations, data quality, hardware/software procurement, help desk support, and the protection of organizational data assets. Technology & Office Services works in close partnership with business units across the organization to identify needs, streamline processes, and enable innovative, data‑driven operations.

Job Summary

The Application & Technical Systems Specialist provides high quality technical support and enterprise systems administration to The German Marshall Fund (GMF). This role delivers service excellence through timely, effective technical solutions and supports the stability, security, and optimization of GMF’s IT environment.

The position combines Tier 1 and Tier 2 technical support with responsibility for enterprise applications, identity and access management, CRM and database support, and participation in IT projects. The Specialist applies strong technical knowledge of endpoints, cloud services, enterprise applications, and modern collaboration tools, while communicating clearly with colleagues to resolve issues and improve user experience in a fast‑paced, international environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 technical support for all GMF staff across devices, applications, and systems.
• Serve as a backup administrator for GMF’s enterprise applications, including CRM, ERP/finance, grants management, e‑commerce, marketing platforms, collaboration tools, and related systems.
• Install, configure, deploy, and maintain PCs, peripherals, mobile devices, and enterprise software.
• Manage user account creation, modification, and deactivation across enterprise systems (including Azure AD/Active Directory, Exchange, Office 365, and Hosted VoIP).
• Administer user access, roles, permissions, and security controls across applications and platforms.
• Support onboarding and off‑boarding processes, including account provisioning, orientation support, and access changes.
• Assist with CRM and database maintenance, reporting, queries, electronic forms, and data‑related projects.
• Monitor system health, logs, data quality, and performance; perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Support and maintain integrations between enterprise systems using APIs, automation, and standard connectors.
• Provide audio/visual, video conferencing, and event support, including coordination with external vendors for hybrid or live‑streamed events.
• Participate in IT projects and task management, ensuring milestones are met and aligned with organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain documentation, including system guides, configuration records, workflows, and user knowledge‑base materials.
• Deliver training and support to staff on enterprise applications, tools, and best practices.
• Assist with mobile device management and endpoint monitoring.
• Maintain hardware inventory and basic data center/environment monitoring in the DC office.
• Support major conferences and high‑profile events as needed.
• Assist in developing and maintaining IT policies, procedures, and standards.
• Support Microsoft Office 365 administration and collaboration tools.
• Provide after‑hours or on‑call support as required.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Internal and External Contacts

• Technology & Office Services team – daily
• GMF staff – daily as needed
• Vendors, consultants, and implementation partners – as needed

Autonomy and Responsibility

• Reports to the VP of Technology and Operations.
• Works in conjunction with and with the guidance of the Technology & Office Services team.
• May make technical recommendations but has no final approval authority.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4‑6 years of professional IT experience in an office environment or college equivalent, with a solid understanding of Microsoft products and printers.
• Experience supporting an enterprise environment—on‑premise or cloud.
• Experience administering an Office 365 environment.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a strong commitment to customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with colleagues in a cross‑cultural, fast‑paced environment.
• Versatile, ambitious, and a strong desire to learn and take on new challenges.
• Knowledge of Hosted VoIP systems is a plus.
• Knowledge of cyber security is a plus.
• Previous experience with database support is a plus.
• Extreme attention to detail, sense of urgency, and a high level of customer service required.
• May need to provide after‑hours support.
• May require international travel as needed.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a technology‑related field preferred.
• CompTIA A+ / Net+ preferred.

GMF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiry to [e-mail].