Background information

This position is vital for the Telecommunication Development Bureau, and the Regional Office to ensure the proper implementation and follow-up of the main ITU conferences, the Union’s strategic plan, action and operational plans, and regional initiatives. The position reports to the ITU Regional Director, Africa.
The ITU Area Representative for Central Africa and Madagascar is a senior expert in the relevant fields with operational and diplomatic acumen.
The incumbent of the position represents the whole ITU, operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules and takes responsibility towards the successful achievement of delegated assignments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Successfully manage the full life cycle of assigned regional initiatives, operational plan activities and projects guided by the Results Based Management framework:

• Initiate, establish, and coordinate partnerships and joint resource mobilization efforts to promote engagement and participation by private and public sector stakeholders in ITU activities.
• Develop complete project proposals and successfully secure partners and resources for ITU, for the purpose of connecting the unconnected and contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while responding to the needs of the countries in the sub-region.
• Develop project implementation plans and documents with clearly defined goals, deliverables, KPIs and timelines based on results-based approach; and identify priority activities and allocate appropriate resources.
• Develop project and risk management frameworks; and assess and monitor risks.
• Drive implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and impact assessment of regional projects, initiatives, and activities, in collaboration with colleagues in headquarters and regional/area offices, ensuring the quality of the work and compliance with applicable internal procedures and internal control rules.
• Lead the work of one or more of BDT’s thematic priorities as regional expert and coordinator and collaborate with colleagues in the HQ and region.

2. Strengthen ITU's role and position within the UN Sustainable Development Group and UN country teams:

• Identify opportunities for partnerships (and financial support) for activities targeted at the specific areas of interest to ITU Member States within the UNSDG and UNCTs.
• Participate in and facilitate, to the extent possible, ITU’s involvement in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and contribute to the common country assessments, working with all the UN Agencies in the region physically or remotely.
• Coordinate ITU activities at the country level with the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNCTs where applicable, while establishing and maintaining excellent relationships with other UN agencies and partners.
• Ensure that all ITU technical cooperation activities are aligned with the requests received from the governments and the implementations are coordinated with respective UNCTs.
• Regularly monitor the implementation of existing and draft cooperation development framework agreements to assess the need for further ITU action.
• Promote and contribute to ITU's expertise in the areas of spectrum management, statistics, standards and bridging the digital divide, to ensure One ITU approach and advance digital transformation in the region.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (continuation)

3. Manage the operations and resources of the ITU Area Office ensuring effective internal working methods, collaboration, and organization:

• Support the Regional Director in the coordination of activities between headquarters and regional/area offices, to strengthen collaboration, knowledge sharing and effective implementation of regional development forum outcomes, regional initiatives, and technical cooperation projects.
• Coordinate and promote the work of all ITU Bureaux within the region, in facilitating and organizing among other conferences, workshops, seminars, study groups activities.
• Demonstrate and lead the development of staff capacity in RBM, strategic planning, project management, gender mainstreaming, change initiatives and resource mobilization and management.
• Manage and evaluate the performance of staff and consultants to ensure full delivery of agreed outputs in a timely manner, while fostering a spirit of professionalism, collaboration, ethics, and teamwork.
• Promote innovation, and use of technological tools to improve ways of working and delivering on the strategic and operational plans.
• Lead and prudently manage staff and resources in the Area Office in Yaounde and ensure full adherence and compliance with ITU service orders, policies, rules, and regulations.
• Represent ITU when and where appropriate.
• Facilitate the coordination and liaise with Regional economic communities particularly, in the ICT/Digital prioritized projects.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with the host government and other stakeholders in Cameroon, including the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Foreign affairs.

4. Perform any other duties in his/her field of competence that may be assigned to him/her.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Excellent research skills and very good knowledge of global technological trends in the field of the work.
• Knowledge of policy and regulatory frameworks in the area/region.
• Knowledge of RBM, resource and project management principles and methodologies.
• Knowledge of conditions prevailing in the Region and a good understanding of the problems and aspirations of countries and members involved.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in telecommunication engineering, information and communication technology, social sciences, public/business administration, or related fields, with some specialization in telecommunication and information systems OR education from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree fields above. For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with fifteen years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes.

Experience:

At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in the above fields, preferably acquired in a telecommunication/ICT Administration/organization, international/ regional organization, or recognized private sector organization, including at least five years at the international level. A doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience.
Demonstrated experience in gender mainstreaming and managing a culturally diverse team is an asset. Professional experience in Africa is desirable.

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).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Salary:
Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment (PA) (cost of living allowance). The PA is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.

Annual salary from $ 92,731 + post adjustment $ 47,107

Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment, please refer to:

https://jobs.itu.int/content/What-we-offer/?locale=en_US

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Nationals of the countries of ITU Area and Regional offices in field duty stations will normally not be recruited or assigned to international professional positions in their home country.