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.
Open-Source Consultant Roster
Vacancy notice no: 1238
Sector: BDT
Department: DNS
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based
Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: Various assignments
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 1 July 2024
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is responsible for the organization and coordination of the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) of the Union which deals mainly with ICT-focused development policies, strategies and programmes, as well as technical cooperation activities, to promote digital inclusion and drive digital transformation at community, country and regional levels. To effectively and efficiently serve the needs of ITU members, BDT is organized into four functional areas:
- Office of the Deputy to the Director and Field Operations Coordination Department
- Partnerships for Digital Development Department
- Digital Networks & Society Department
- Digital Knowledge Hub Department
The Digital Networks & Society Department is responsible for BDT activities in the areas of spectrum management, network development, cybersecurity and emergency telecommunications. This department is also responsible for supporting ITU Member States in their transition to digital societies by providing tools and guidelines to address environmental challenges (in particular, climate change and e-waste), and for promoting innovation, ICT applications/services, digital inclusion and ecosystems, with the ultimate goal to 'leave no one behind'.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), together with other UN partners are collaborating to advance the maturity of the adoption of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) and Open-Source for digital government services and to enable global, regional and national Open-Source ecosystems through:
- The development of Open-Source Ecosystem Enablement Framework to guide work that promotes structural changes to accelerate the adoption of Open-Source software and data.
- Pilot initiatives using the Framework in selected countries to establish Open-Source Technical capabilities to act as focal points to strengthen local Open-Source ecosystem.
- Share knowledge globally and build skills to replicate models of successful Open-Source ecosystem development through producing relevant knowledge products, trainings, and developing communities of practice which can be further be adopted by governments at different levels.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Under the direction of the Head of the Digital Services Division, BDT, the consultant will:
- Provide technical expertise to support the “Open-Source Ecosystem Enablement for Public Services Innovation” project in close collaboration with the project main partners, Advisory Board, Steering Committee, and other technical experts to develop an “Open-Source Ecosystem Enablement Framework" and to implement it in at least one country.
- Identify and reach out to relevant stakeholders to include them in project activities.
- Conduct research, interviews with experts and provide technical expertise in one or more of the competency areas listed below.
- Develop written recommendations for one or more of the required competency areas supported by evidence and existing country examples.
- Provide capacity building and orientation to relevant stakeholders on developed recommendations and gather their feedback and lessons learned.
- Support project implementation and the achievement of defined goals, deliverables, KPIs and timelines, focusing on priority activities.
- Prepare progress reports for related activities.
- Engage in country implementation by preparing and delivering needed presentations and documents, work with government officials and experts to conduct necessary assessments, studies and to prepare proposals and agreements as needed.
- Coordinate with stakeholders and engage external partners such as UN Agencies, Donors, Governments and private sector.
- Carry out research and provide feedback on country studies and coordinate with other international and local experts involved.
- Represent the project in global/regional/national events to promote and share progress and deliverables with interested parties and stakeholders.
CONCRETE DELIVERABLES
- Recommendations and best practices related to the use and adoption of Open-Source for Public Services in one or more of the related competency areas.
- Events, presentations, workshops delivered to disseminate the outcomes of research and studies implemented.
- Specific country studies, if applicable, in relation to Open-Source adoption and ecosystem readiness.
COMPETENCIES
Strong understanding of how to adopt Open-Source to implement digital public services particularly in resource-constrained environment. Proven ability to assess capacity building interventions and recommend appropriate activities to develop skills and promote organizational learning and change.
Knowledge in at least ONE of the following subjects is highly desirable:
- Enabling Policies for Open-Source Software (OSS) and Digital Public Goods (DPG), Platform and Whole-of-government approaches adoption.
- Existing DPG for public services and available support structures.
- Institutional frameworks to enable DPG adoption for public services.
- Building secure, interoperable, standards-based digital public infrastructure DPI and whole-of-government government Tech Stack based on re-usable OSS/DPG components/Building Blocks.
- Change management and internal cultural shift.
- OSS project management, DevOps, OSS repository and community management.
- Economic and technical benefits of use of OSS/DPG for public services.
- Capacity building framework for OSS development.
- Licensing options and legal considerations.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education: University degree in engineering, economics, law, education, management, telecommunications/ICTs or related field. An advanced degree would be an asset.
Experience:
- At least three (3) years of experience in using Open-Source for digital government services in one or more of the expertise domains listed above.
- Comprehensive background and understanding in subjects related to Open-Source, digital governance, and enterprise architecture.
- Experience working at international level advising governments and/or international organizations on Digital government and Digital Transformation matters would be an advantage.
- Experience in drafting and formulating functional requirements and technical guidance for digital government services leveraging Open-Source and best practices and state of the art technologies from different countries that could be implemented also in resource-constrained environment would be an advantage. Expert experience in legal, policy and governance issues pertaining to the development and adoption of Open-Source and how those could be implemented at country level would be an advantage.
- Demonstrated experience and strong understanding of and engagement with Open-Source Software Development would be an advantage.
- Experience in coordinating work of technical expert groups with strong management experience would be an advantage.
- Expert experience in and knowledge of applicable standards and how they can be applied for the designated area of work to ensure interoperability and security by design would be an advantage.
Languages: Knowledge of English at advanced level.
REMUNERATION INFORMATION
Daily rates salary to be defined according to the work experience of the consultant in the field of expertise:
3 to 4 years of experience: US$ 185 / 5 to 6 years of experience: US$ 230 / 7 to 9 years of experience: US$ 280.
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.
