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.
Giga Programme Officer - Economic Affairs
Vacancy notice no: 2054
Sector: SG
Department:
Country of contract: Switzerland
Duty station: Geneva
Position number:
Grade: P3
Type of contract: Short-term
Duration of contract: 5 months
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 9 July 2025
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
The General Secretariat directs administrative, human and financial resources and activities of the Union, including the implementation of the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions, the dissemination of information on telecommunication/ICT matters for operational and other purposes, and the provision of legal advice to the whole of the Union. The General Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the Strategic Plan, monitors the telecommunication/ICT environment and recommends as needed action relating to the Union’s future policies and strategy. The General Secretariat ensures inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation to advance a whole of ITU approach (One-ITU) in headquarters and the field. The General Secretariat provides logistical and information technology support to the Union’s activities including conferences and global forums; the coordination of the work of the Union with the United Nations system, and other international organizations; and the engagement of the Member States, Sector Members, and Academia. The General Secretariat manages corporate governance, and strategic communications and relations with the media, different stakeholder groups as well as the general public.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Giga is a global initiative by UNICEF and ITU aimed at connecting every school to the internet and every young person to information, opportunities, and choices. It also serves as a platform to build the infrastructure necessary to provide digital connectivity across an entire country, for every community and for every citizen. (www.giga.global). Giga focuses on four core areas of work:
- Map previously unmapped schools, and monitor connectivity in real-time using open-source AI/ML.
- Collaborate with governments to design optimal connectivity infrastructure configuration, identify enabling policy and regulatory levers, and develop connectivity cost models.
- Finance connectivity projects using the most capital efficient solutions available.
- Establish contracts based on best practices for public procurement and delivery tools.
These core activities are complemented by capacity development activities to empower stakeholders to achieve school connectivity.
Giga is engaged with 39 countries and has enabled increased connectivity for over 24,000 schools in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean, providing online access to more than two million students and teachers.
With the support of the Governments of Switzerland and Spain, Giga has established its global headquarters in Geneva, and its Giga Technology Center in Spain. Giga is positioned for its next phase of growth to scale up in all programme areas with new resources associated with this support.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Giga Programme Manager, the duties to be performed are as follows:
- Contribute to the design, development and implementation of Giga products, services and activities related to school connectivity, ensuring that key economic considerations and risk mitigation measures are taken into account.
- Monitor and analyse macroeconomic trends and policies in countries where Giga is working/engaged identifying recurrent and emerging development issues relevant to Giga’s mandate.
- Provide market analysis in Giga- engaged countries, identifying gaps and market failures, and mapping risks and opportunities in alignment with Giga’s goal of school connectivity.
- Contribute to the preparation of reports (regular and ad-hoc), communications and marketing materials, and other written outputs related to reporting and outreach for the Giga initiative.
- Support the development of specialized Giga knowledge products and activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of participating countries to design economically viable, environmentally sustainable, secure and resilient school connectivity solutions.
- Assist in the formulation of customised policy and regulatory advice to Giga countries, developing tailored strategies that reflect each country’s market trends, economic conditions, regulatory environment, and risk tolerance in pursuit of their school connectivity targets.
- Design and conduct studies on various economic issues to provide a basis for effective policy and regulatory recommendations to national governments, with a focus on enabling inclusive and sustainable school connectivity.
- Perform other related duties or participate in special projects as reasonably required.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
- Comprehensive understanding of trends in the digital infrastructure sector.
- In-depth knowledge of regulatory policies and trends, with an understanding of both economic and technical regulation of digital infrastructure.
- Ability to conduct a variety of econometric and business case analyses for digital infrastructure projects.
- Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and innovatively about the role of digital technologies in socio-economic development and transformation across other economic sectors.
- Exceptional quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, with a proven track record of working effectively with economic, sectoral, and network data.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education:
Advanced university degree in Economics 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 progressively responsible experience in economic and/or econometric research and analysis, policy formulation and/or economic/competition regulation, and application of economic principles in development policies, including at least two at the international level.
A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience
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).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This temporary opportunity is available to individuals residing locally.
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.
