INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems. ITU also organizes global Telecom events bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the private sector to exchange ideas and knowledge for the benefit of all.
Roster - Digital Transformation Consultant for Asia and the Pacific
Vacancy notice no: 1979
Sector: BDT
Department: Regional Offices
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based
Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Roster
Duration of contract: Various assignments
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 31 December 2025
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is responsible for the organization and coordination of the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector of the Union. BDT deals mainly with development policies, strategies, programming, projects, as well as technical cooperation activities to enable and foster universal access to affordable, high-quality and secure telecommunications/ICTs and Foster equitable and inclusive use of telecommunications/ICTs to empower people and societies for sustainable development. To effectively and efficiently serve the needs of Member States, BDT is organized into four functional areas:
- Operations Coordination Department (Office of the Deputy to the Director) (DDR)
- Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS)
- Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE)
- Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)
The regional offices provide assistance to the ITU Member States of the Region, ensuring a close relationship and collaboration. To implement the agreed programs and projects, in accordance with the ITU Strategy Plan and the BDT Action Plan, with the active support of all Departments, providing timely information about their development. To provide proper line management and support, the Regional Directors report to the Director of the BDT.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2022 (WTDC-22) identified “Digital Transformation” as one of the five priority areas for the current development cycle of ITU-D and adopted a resolution titled “Digital transformation for sustainable development” (WGPLEN/1 (Kigali, 2022). The conference identified the following outcomes (Section 4.2, WTDC-22 Report) with regards to implementation of digital transformation:
- Enhanced capacity of the ITU membership to accelerate digital transformation and sustainable economic and social development by leveraging and using new and emerging telecommunications/ICTs and services.
- Strengthened capacity of the ITU membership to integrate telecommunication/ICT innovation and digitalization in their national development agendas and to develop strategies to promote innovation initiatives, including through public, private and public-private partnerships.
- Enhanced capacity of the ITU membership to integrate telecommunication/ICT innovation and digitalization in national development agendas.
- Enhanced human and institutional capacity of the ITU membership in telecommunications/ICTs to foster digital transformation.
Digitalization serves as a powerful tool to facilitate the much needed social and economic transformations towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and an important enabler to accelerate recovery during and post pandemic. Digitalization is high on the agenda of many countries, and is increasingly being embedded in national policies, plans and strategies in Asia and the Pacific. The pandemic has further boosted digitalization across the public and private sector by creating more services and outreach on the supply side, and increased uptake by citizens on the demand side.
BACKGROUND (CONTINUATION)
The member countries in Asia and the Pacific, in particular, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), face multiple challenges to achieve the expected results of ASP RI 2 and accelerate digital transformation for inclusive sustainable development, as envisaged in the WTDC-22 and PP-22 outcomes.
While a multitude of digital technology solutions are being rolled out across various sectors (e.g., agriculture, education, commerce, finance, health, and tourism), these efforts are often designed and implemented in siloes and without a digital transformation framework and policy. The siloed approach often results in duplications, missed opportunities, inefficient resource use and lack of interoperability among various digitalization initiatives and sectors. It is accompanied by a lack of platforms and opportunities to systematically apply a whole-of-government approach and learn from each other within and across the countries and sectors.
An integrated whole-of-government approach is required at national and local level to truly harness the power of digital technology. There is a need to strategically align various cross-sectoral initiatives at national and local level through harmonized and coordinated policies and strategies; digital infrastructure and solutions; human and institutional capacity; and delivery of digital services.
Digital transformation and the digitalization of services support social and economic benefits, with e-government services in particular, delivering crucial services towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. With the objective to promote the development of whole-of-government digital transformation strategies and policies as well as integrating telecommunication / ICT innovation and digitalization into national development agendas, there is a need to review, update or develop digital transformation policies, strategies and national strategic frameworks to harness technology.
In view of the above, it is proposed to develop a roster of Digital Transformation consultants to support the member states through direct country assistance.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Under the guidance of the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and the direction of the Area Representative, Southeast Asia & Timor Leste, or any other identified ITU Staff member the Consultant will:
- Develop or strengthen policies, strategies, masterplans, and roadmaps (e.g., digital transformation strategies, digital economy, digital society, digital government strategies and roadmaps).
- Design, develop, or strengthen technical architecture/platforms and digital applications based on the whole of government approach.
- Organize regional, subregional and national workshops and trainings on digital transformation based on direct country assistance, analyses and stakeholder consultations.
- Organize stakeholder consultations and trainings on digital transformation policies, strategies, masterplans, and roadmaps.
- Conduct studies on digital transformation challenges and opportunities at regional, subregional and national levels to guide the planning and implementation of project activities and capacity development programmes, while developing policy recommendations.
CONCRETE DELIVERABLES
- Finalized reports and presentations on digital transformation strategies, policies, strategies, masterplans, roadmaps, studies and extract, and implementation plan and related documents.
- Conducted relevant stakeholder discussions, delivered trainings, and workshops.
- Delivered training and knowledge resources.
- Methodology of the framework development, studies and assessments.
- Specific deliverables will be defined according to the Terms of Reference to be established for each specific requirement and may vary depending on the context and priorities of the project and programme.
COMPETENCIES
- Program management skills
- Research and analysis, drafting and report presentation capacities.
- Effective verbal and written communications skills.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently.
- Comprehensive background and understanding of the subjects related to digital government, digital services, community networks, enabling environment for digital services
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education:
University degree in engineering, sciences, economics, social sciences, law, education, management, business administration, telecommunications/ICTs, OR education from a reputed college of advanced education, with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of a university degree in one of the fields above. An advanced university degree or a doctorate would be an advantage.
Experience:
At least seven (7) years of experience in drafting or managing international technical assistances in digital strategies, digital government, digital transformation, ICT Policies or other digital services. Demonstrated experience in managing international assistances.
Languages:
Knowledge of English at advanced level.
REMUNERATION INFORMATION
Between USD 250 and USD 430 per day to be defined according to the work experience of the consultant.
INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU career website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.
