Technical Consultant

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.

Technical Consultant

Vacancy notice no: 1658

Sector: BDT

Department: DNS

Country of contract: Remote

Duty station: Home Based

Position number: [[positionNumber]]

Grade: [[PositionGrade]]

Type of contract: Consultant

Duration of contract: 60 working days (asap - 31st November 2024)
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 21 June 2024

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)
• Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS)
• Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE)
• Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)

The Digital Networks & Environment Department is responsible to assist the Member States, especially the G77 countries, in a wide range of ICT development challenges, as basic connectivity, spectrum management, evolution of current to future broadband networks and technologies, enabling universal and affordable access, and strengthening the security through the cybersecurity support. In addition, the DNE Department provides expertise and needed support for emergency telecommunications and the increasingly important and urgent aspects related to the environment and climate change.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for ICTs, is working with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Digital Access Programme (DAP) to implement connectivity and digital skills programmes in underserved communities and for broader digital inclusion in five DAP countries (Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa). The range of activities allows ITU to work with new partners and implement innovative connectivity and capacity development projects.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the guidance of the ITU FCDO Program Officer and the FCDO Brazil National Focal Point, and in close collaboration with the Senior Programme Officer, BDT/Regulatory and Market Environment Division, the consultant will prepare a report providing practical guidance on reverse auctions to expand connectivity based on Brazil’s experience, examining its potential impact and effectiveness in expanding and qualifying infrastructure for connecting schools and other public services in unserved and underserved areas. The consultant will:

• Review and assess Brazil’s experiences in implementing reverse auctions to expand and qualify access to fiber optic infrastructure to serve schools and other public services in underserved areas, using sources and references such as the study Connectivity for Brazilian Public Schools, conducted by the Competition, Public Policy, Innovation and Technology Research Center of Getúlio Vargas Foundation, and other resources available.
• As part of the assessment process and to inform lessons learned, carry out interviews with ANATEL and selected stakeholders (4 interviews).
• Carry out a brief international benchmarking/analysis of similar experiences, with a focus on Latin America to identify lessons learned and good practices.
• Based on the assessment and the analysis of challenges identified and good practices, provide practical recommendations for creating sustainable models for expanding and qualifying telecommunications infrastructure to serve schools and other public services, such as health clinics.

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

• Preliminary report, to be submitted to the ITU FCDO project management team, in English by September 1, 2024.
• Based on feedback received, submit a draft final report with an executive summary (1.5 page), by October 1, 2024.
• PowerPoint presentation, highlighting the main research findings.
• Article with the main findings, lessons learned and recommendations, to be published on the ITU-FCDO website, in English.

COMPETENCIES

Proven report writing skills.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education: Advanced university degree in telecommunication, communications, law or related field OR education in a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field relevant to the Special Service Agreement (SSA).

Languages: Knowledge of English and Portuguese at advanced level.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

230-300 USD per working day.

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 Careers 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.