We need more information about the setup of the remote server, to figure out how to help you. If the server has been setup by it's administrator to have your login go into a restricted shell, then there isn't much that you can do from your end, apart from contacting the sys admin.
I mentioned the sh or bash man page so that you see how restricted a restricted shell is & see whether this matches the problems you are having.
I am also wondering why/what you need access to on the server. If you are supposed to have access, then the sysadmin should setup your login, so that you have access to the resources that you need.
There is an article all about ssh in the newbies section.
I hope this points you in the right direction, and look forward to your reply with info on the remote server.