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 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.
Digital Services Development Project Consultant
Vacancy notice no: 2318
Sector: BDT
Department: DNE
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based
Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: ASAP until 30 September 2026
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 20 May 2026
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 Digital Networks and Environment Department (DNE), through the Future Networks and Spectrum Management Division (FNS), is executing strategies for spectrum management, space and Last Mile Connectivity leading cloud platform deployment of application while supporting adoption in ITU regions. The division is managing implementation of the operational plans and projects to design and deploy green and resilient last/middle mile and satellite infrastructure networks and future ICT technologies within the framework of the Baku action plan and the relevant Plenipotentiary, WTDC and Council resolutions.
The objective of this consultancy is to ensure the support of successful implementation of Digital services and Development (DSD) activities in line with the Baku Action Plan (BAP).
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Under the guidance of the Head of the Future Networks and Spectrum Management Division (FNS), and in close collaboration with project managers. the consultant will.
- Provide operational, technical and project management support to the planning, implementation and coordination of digital services and applications activities.
- Support the development, deployment and ongoing project management of digital platforms, tools and applications supporting the Digital services and Development (DSD) programmes, including requirements definition, coordination with technical teams, donors and other stakeholders.
- Plan, coordinate and monitor project activities in line with approved workplans, timelines and budgets, ensuring effective tracking of deliverables, milestones and risks.
- Prepare regular progress reports, activity updates and analytical inputs for management, donors and stakeholders, including consolidation of inputs from technical teams and regional offices of the International Telecommunication Union.
- Support the definition, monitoring and reporting of key performance indicators related to digital services and applications, ensuring that targets are tracked, risks are flagged early and corrective actions are proposed where needed.
- Work closely with ITU regional and area offices to support implementation of digital services and application activities at regional and country level, ensuring alignment with regional priorities and effective coordination of activities.
- Support engagement with Member States, partners and implementing entities, including coordination of meetings, preparation of background materials, follow up on agreed actions and documentation of outcomes.
- Contribute to quality assurance and continuous improvement by identifying operational, delivery and coordination challenges, and proposing practical solutions to improve effectiveness and impact.
- Support coordination across relevant BDT/DNE workstreams, including future network and spectrum, cybersecurity, emergency telecommunications and environmental sustainability, to ensure coherence and efficient use of digital services and applications.
CONCRETE DELIVERABLES
- Draft project management plan for DSD, including scope, schedule, resourcing, risk management, communication and quality assurance components.
- Detailed implementation workplans and updated on a quarterly basis, showing milestones, dependencies, responsibilities and delivery timelines for DSD activities
- Established project monitoring, including activity trackers, risk and issue logs, demand registers.
- Regular project status reports (RAG) produced and submitted to management, including monthly progress reports and quarterly consolidated updates covering delivery status, risks, issues, mitigation actions and resource utilisation.
- Baku Action Plan (BAP) KPI and results monitoring and reporting for digital services and applications projects, including indicators, baselines, targets and data collection, in collaboration with regional offices.
- Periodic KPI on performance and results reports demonstrating progress against agreed Baku Action Plan (BAP) outputs and outcomes, including variance analysis and corrective action recommendations.
- Documented coordination mechanisms with ITU regional and area offices, including meeting records, consolidated regional inputs and tracked follow up actions supporting country level implementation.
- Stakeholder and partner management deliverables, including stakeholder meetings, engagement plans, meeting summaries and action trackers with Member States, partners and implementing entities.
- End of phase or annual project closure report summarising activities delivered, KPIs achieved, budget execution, lessons learned and recommendations for subsequent phases within BDT of the International Telecommunication Union.
COMPETENCIES
- Strong technical documentation writing and reporting skills.
- Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
- Effective time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure and to meet short-term deadlines.
- Proficiency in project management.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education:
University degree in telecommunications, information and communication technologies, computer science, engineering, information systems, project management, international development or a related field 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.
Experience:
At least three (3) years of experience in applying project management methodologies, including work planning, risk management, monitoring of deliverables, and performance tracking using key performance indicators. Experience working with results-based management frameworks and donor or management reporting is an asset.
Experience working in an international, multicultural environment, is highly desirable.
Languages:
Knowledge of English at advanced level. Knowledge of another official language of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) would be an advantage.
REMUNERATION INFORMATION
USD 260 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.
