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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.

 

Disaster Preparedness Consultant - North Macedonia 

 

Vacancy notice no: 2074 
Sector: BDT
Department: Regional Offices
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based

 

Position number: [[positionNumber]] 
Grade: [[PositionGrade]] 
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: 4 months
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 22 July 2025

 

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 regional offices provide assistance to the ITU Member States of the Region, ensuring a close relationship and collaboration. To implement the agreed programs and projects, in accordance with the ITU Strategy Plan and the BDT Action Plan, with the active support of all Departments, providing timely information about their development. To provide proper line management and support, the Regional Directors report to the Director of the BDT.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Disasters have devastating effects on people’s lives and livelihoods, and in terms of economic losses. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play an important role in increasing resilience of countries facilitating the flow of vital information in a timely manner before, during and after disasters strike. Information is critical for decision-making processes, as well as for rapid response during emergencies. The incredible growth in ICT networks and services, including radio, satellite and mobile services, means that the opportunity is there for more people to be reached in a timely manner. However, resilience in these systems needs also to be considered to ensure such systems survive catastrophic events.
ITU plays an important role in using ICTs for disaster risk reduction and management, through the design of National Emergency Telecommunication Plans (NETP), which are developed based on the ITU Global Guidelines for National Emergency Telecommunication Plans, the setting up of early warning and monitoring systems and the provision of emergency telecommunications equipment when disasters strike.
The World Telecommunication Development Conference, which was held in Kigali in 2022 (WTDC-2022), identified disasters as a major threat to socio-economic development and revised resolution 34 (Rev. Kigali, 2022) highlighting the need to support countries in the preparation of national disaster response in the areas of regulation, policy, early warning and to develop national emergency telecommunication plans and standard operating procedures. A growing number of Member States have requested ITU’s support in identifying the opportunities of ICTs for disaster management, and in helping them to identify needs and priorities to develop their national emergency telecommunication plans, as well as to identify and set up early warning systems, in particular.
In March 2023, the UN launched Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative, which stipulates that every person in the world should be protected by an early warning system by 2027. The initiative’s Action Plan puts the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the leading role on ‘Warning Dissemination and Communication” – a critical component of early warning systems that ensures alerts reach the people at risk in time to take action. The action plan also specifically references GSMA and MNOs and calls for the promotion of the implementation of geo-located mobile early warning services using cell broadcast and/or location-based SMS. As part of the EW4All Initiative, ITU is working to support countries to implement mobile early warning systems to reach more people at risk. 

The Development Sector of the ITU (BDT), through its Climate Change and Emergency Telecommunications Division (CET) intends to provide the support to countries on National Emergency Telecommunication Plans (NETP) development, public warning assessment, and support with the implementation of early warning systems. To address this activity, ITU is seeking a consultant to conduct a national assessment to identify priority needs to develop early warning systems, and to provide technical assistance for countries on implementing mobile-based early warning systems. 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The consultant will work under the direction of the Head of Climate Change and Emergency Telecommunications Division (CET), within the Digital Networks and Environment Department (DNE) of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, and in close collaboration and coordination with the ITU Office for Europe.
The consultant will work with identified Focal Points in the Administrations and in collaboration with the ITU Office for Europe who will provide guidance, and the required information needed to identify the priority needs on early warning systems. The consultant will rely on the national focal point to help set up interviews with relevant stakeholders within the country during virtual or face-to-face meetings. In particular, the consultant will:

• Support the Government of North Macedonia with the development of a report which includes an overview of the technical, economic and regulatory analysis for the implementation of an Early Warning System (EWS) based on Cell Broadcast (CB) and other means of alert diffusion, such as sirens, radio and television broadcasting. This work will be supported by national stakeholders and the ITU Office for Europe. This report will further identify specific information gaps and technical specifications that cannot be addressed in this report and will require further analysis. This could include, but is not limited to, power/energy infrastructure and telecommunication infrastructure not directly linked to the cell-broadcast system.

• Develop an implementation roadmap (Gantt-style) outlining the sequence and timeline of all project activities within two weeks from the commencement of the assignment.
• Distribute a questionnaire to key stakeholders, based on existing research, assessments, and reports, to assess the current emergency telecommunication situation, and conduct face-to-face interviews and meetings with all key stakeholders to inform the technical, regulatory, and economic/cost analysis for implementing a Cell Broadcast Early Warning System (CB EWS).
• Conduct a workshop with key stakeholders.
• Deliver a final draft report to North Macedonia covering the technical, economic/cost, and regulatory analysis for the implementation of an Early Warning System (EWS) based on Cell Broadcast (CB) and other alert dissemination channels such as sirens, radio, and television broadcasting, for feedback.
• Prepare a technical report aligned with ITU-provided guidelines for public warning system procurement, to inform the future bidding process. This includes drafting technical requirements and proposing suggested inputs (e.g., network architecture, integration conditions, system functionalities, evaluation criteria, and security considerations) for inclusion in the bidding documentation. The responsibility for finalizing the complete bidding document, including legal and procedural components, remains with the national authorities. Support the process as a technical reviewer, if requested.
• Develop a comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the Cell Broadcast system.
• Submit the final report.

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

  • An implementation roadmap (Gantt-style) outlining the sequence and timeline of all project activities within two weeks from the commencement of the assignment.
  • Assessment of the current emergency telecommunication situation, and conduct of face-to-face interviews and meetings with all key stakeholders to inform the technical, regulatory, and economic/cost analysis for implementing a Cell Broadcast Early Warning System (CB EWS).
  • A workshop with key stakeholders.
  • A final draft report to North Macedonia covering the technical, economic/cost, and regulatory analysis for the implementation of an Early Warning System (EWS) based on Cell Broadcast (CB) and other alert dissemination channels such as sirens, radio, and television broadcasting.
  • A technical report aligned with ITU-provided guidelines for public warning system procurement, to inform the future bidding process.
  • A comprehensive roadmap for the implementation of the Cell Broadcast system.
  • A final report.

COMPETENCIES

  • In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience on developing National Emergency Telecommunication Plans (NETPs), emergency communication, disaster recovery, emergency response, and crisis management.
  • A good understanding of the overall regional context and Western Balkans dynamics.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in security and safety management, technical management, technical project and process management, business administration, management OR similar 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 ten (10) years of work experience in the field of the Special Service Agreement (SSA).

 

Languages:

Knowledge of English at advanced level.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

From USD 340 to USD 430 per working day to be defined according to the work experience of the consultant.

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.

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