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.
Child Participation and Engagement Consultant
Vacancy notice no: 1724
Sector: BDT
Department: DNE
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based
Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: 72 working days
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 3 December 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) (DDR)
- Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS)
- Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE)
- Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)
The Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE) 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
The increasing digitalization of today’s world has heightened the opportunities children and young people have access to online. At the same time, it has created new challenges to children’s safety digitally and protecting children online has emerged as a significant challenge to be addressed.
The Child Online Protection (COP) Guidelines devised by ITU outline recommendations for all relevant stakeholders on how to contribute to the development of a safe and empowering online environment for children and young people.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Under the guidance of the ITU BDT Child Online Protection Global Project Management Team and in close coordination with COP thematic focal point and national experts in respective countries, the consultant will perform the following activities at global and national level:
- Advise on roll out and dissemination of online trainings, app, game and other child friendly resources, with children and young people.
- Support the organization and attend meetings with the child advisory group to validate products and services tailored for children through consultative processes. Provide guidance on discussions and advise provided by children.
- Develop relevant tools and resources and deliver online safety trainings for policy makers in-country, including referring to children’s perceptions of Child Online Protection, including the perception of risks and harms and expectations from children of national stakeholders such as policymakers as well as on the right to participate including through online means.
- All work designed and conducted is executed in coordination and consultation with other experts that are involved in this project.
CONCRETE DELIVERABLES
- Specific consultation tools with expected inputs from children on the dissemination and roll out of the ITU resources on online safety for children.
- All relevant materials, tools, resources and content for the delivery of in-country workshops to policy-makers regarding child participation on matters related to children’s rights in the digital environment.
- A power point presentation with recommendations based on in-country trainings for further country support related to the development of national COP strategies.
- All deliverables will be previously submitted to ITU for comments until validation for the final version.
- Copyright: ITU would have copyrights on all materials presented by the expert.
COMPETENCIES
Experience in conducting research and analysis. Experience in child participation in relation to online safety.
Computer literacy (office, databases/content management systems).
Effective communication and writing skills in English.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, maintaining efficient working relationships, with sensitivity to ITU's multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and respect for diversity.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education: Advanced university degree in telecommunication, political and social science, communications, 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, including a PhD after first university degree.
Experience: At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the field relevant to the Special Service Agreement. Significant experience in research and practice related to child participation and online safety and a tracked record of international work related to the engagement of children through innovative methods to ensure children and young people themselves can meaningfully inform policy and programming development.
Languages: Knowledge of English at advanced level.
REMUNERATION INFORMATION
USD 350 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 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.
