Project officer

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The position is with the ICT and Data Analytics Division (IDA), within the Digital Knowledge Hub Department (DKH) of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT).
As part of the implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, the International Telecommunication Union, the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, and their partners, have established a set of aspirational targets for 2030 to help prioritize interventions, monitor progress, evaluate policy effectiveness, and galvanize efforts around achieving universal and meaningful connectivity (UMC) by the end of the decade.
Building on this initial effort, IDA is responsible for the implementation of a three-year Project “Promoting and measuring universal and meaningful digital connectivity” funded by the European Union. The project aims to promote the concept of UMC and change the narrative around connectivity, from ‘connecting the unconnected’ to ‘connecting everyone meaningfully’. It will seek to mainstream UMC and encourage countries to adapt their strategy from a narrow focus on infrastructure to a holistic approach that also includes the other enablers of meaningful connectivity: affordability, skills, security, devices, etc. The Project will strengthen the capacity of countries to collect UMC statistics, encourage their adoption and strengthen their dissemination. It will explore new sources of data, including big data to better measure UMC. The Project will monitor progress towards the UMC targets and formulate policy recommendations to accelerate progress.
As a member of this Project’s core team reporting to the Senior Project Manager, the Project Officer will primarily be responsible for the planification, coordination and delivery of research activities (including data collection), knowledge products and capacity building activities related to universal and meaningful connectivity. In addition, she/he will support the Project Manager, notably in advocacy activities, recruiting and supervising of consultants, and reporting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager in the ICT Data and Analytics Division (IDA), within the Digital Knowledge Hub Department (DKH) of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), the Project Officer will perform the following duties:

• Primarily be responsible for the planification, coordination and delivery of research activities (including data collection), knowledge products and capacity building activities related to universal and meaningful connectivity. In addition, she/he will support the Project Manager, notably in advocacy activities, recruiting and supervising of consultants, and reporting.
• Undertake extensive research on the drivers and enablers of UMC, their inclusion in national policies and its impact on development outcomes and provide high-quality, substantive advice and inputs; identify countries that have integrated or are planning to integrate it in their national policies.
• Propose, design, plan and coordinate the production of knowledge products related to UMC, including but not limited to collecting data from various sources; writing short analytical pieces, such as policy briefs, data stories, articles; contributing to the planning and drafting of the Global Connectivity Report series; reviewing external contributions; contributing to the maintenance and further development of the Dashboard for Universal and Meaningful Connectivity.
• Maintain, revise, and further develop the UMC targets and contextual indicators.
• Contribute to the development of training material; plan capacity building activities (e.g., workshops, webinars, online course) and coordinate delivery.
• Work closely with the Senior Project Manager in preparing the Project’s annual workplans; ensure the reporting, including on the key performance indicators of the Project’s log frame.
• Identify collaboration opportunities on data and research with other UN agencies, the European Commission, other international and multi-lateral organizations, universities, non-governmental organizations and business associations.
• Perform other related duties as requested.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Outstanding research skills.
• Excellent quantitative skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside ITU.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in the field of economics, international affairs, political science, international development, or a related field OR education from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the fields above.
For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with seven years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes.

Experience:

At least five years of relevant experience in economic research with at least two years of experience in an international, multi-stakeholder environment. A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of work experience. Experience in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs), ideally with a focus on policy, research, and/or statistics, is highly desirable and would be a very strong asset.

Languages:

Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment (PA) (cost of living allowance). The PA is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.

Annual salary from $ 64,121 + post adjustment $ 52,707

Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment, please refer to:

https://jobs.itu.int/content/what we offer/?locale=en?US