BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Digital technology serves as a powerful tool to facilitate social and economic transformation. Currently, various government services are provided but with limited coordination. 
An integrated and holistic planning approach, encompassing policy, legislation, strategy, and delivery of digital services, will help various line ministries and agencies to capitalize on shared infrastructure and technology resources to provide sectoral services regardless of geographical location.
Under the overall leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC), ITU together with UN agencies (FAO, ILO, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNOPS and UNODC) and the beneficiary country are implementing a Joint Programme (JP) “Accelerating SDG achievement through digital transformation to strengthen community resilience in Micronesia”, supported by Joint SDG Fund.  The participating countries include Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, and Kiribati.
The programme’s goals are the following: 

• Accelerating the adoption of digital transformation related to enabling policies, legislation and strategies across the various sectors (education, agriculture, health, employment, commerce, Information and Communication Technology (ICT)) by advocating a whole-of-government approach to digital transformation at institutional and individual levels.
• Piloting the Smart Islands approach in at least five remote islands and villages in the Micronesian countries.  

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the guidance of the Regional Director of the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific region, the direction of the Programme Coordinator/Officer, and in coordination with the Joint Programme Project Officer, the consultant will:
Lead design, planning and implementation of identified smart islands in Nauru:

• Design and develop the Smart Islands plan (including needs assessment, infrastructure assessment, linkage with national plan, partnerships, governance, work plan) for Nauru considering the digital connectivity, priority digital services, financing, digital safety, sustainability, digital inclusion, and capacity building. 
• Carry out research and undertake stakeholders (government, community, partners) consultations on smart island planning (individual and meetings) and gather inputs for Nauru.
• Provide informed advice, hold stakeholders consultations and conduct at least five awareness training sessions on digital literacy, online safety, and digital services.
• Identify the digital skills need for the community in general with specific focus on vulnerable populations (e.g., women, youth, persons with disabilities) and develop digital skills work plan for two years including skills needed, target audience and potential partners.
• Provide recommendations to the government, community and ITU on the four pillars of Smart Islands, including (a) improving broadband connectivity, (b) making broadband affordable, (c) enhancing digital skills, and (d) providing digital services, to impact people’s lives based on their local priorities.
• Identify digital service needs in Nauru and introduce select e-services under the Smart Islands initiative aimed at long term sustainability of those services.
• Support collecting real-life impact stories in video, written, and photo formats for reporting and publication purposes.
• Support digital policies and strategies:
  • Support the development of digital policies and strategies under the Joint Programmes by finalizing the draft developed by ITU and gathering inputs from national stakeholders.
  • Support national stakeholders in their approval process of the final draft.
  • Support programme and project management.
  • Coordinate the in-country implementation, under the direct guidance of ITU Project Manager and in close collaboration with the JP Project Manager, another national expert located in Nauru, and other relevant stakeholders, to conduct assessments, identify and implement the strategies agreed in the country.
  • Prepare proposals and necessary documents for the implementation of the Smart Islands initiative in Nauru in collaboration with another national expert based in Nauru.

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

1. Delivery of reports, documents and presentations containing the items described above in ”Terms of Reference” section.
2. Delivery of consultation workshops and trainings (minimum five events).

The ITU will retain the copyright over all the presentations, plans and reports etc.
 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education: University degree in engineering, economics, social sciences, law, education, management, business administration, telecommunications/ICTs. OR education from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of Telecom/ICTs. An advanced degree would be an advantage.

Experience: At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in telecommunication/ICTs. An advanced degree in a related field can be considered as a substitute for one year of working experience. A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience. Work experience in the Pacific and knowledge of the country in ICTs is required. 

Languages: Knowledge of English at advanced level. Knowledge of Nauruan is desirable. 

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

USD 230 per working day.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Work at home and travel, Pacific (any travel required for the assignment will be carried through separate travel authorizations as per ITU rules and procedures).
For more information about ITU’s Smart Island Programme, please visit the page below:

https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/ICT-Applications/Pages/smart-islands.aspx