Roster - Digital Inclusion Consultant

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.

Roster - Digital Inclusion Consultant

Vacancy notice no: 2360
Sector: BDT
Department: DKS
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): 31 December 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 Knowledge Society Department (DKS) provides expertise in the areas of Regulatory and Market environments, promoting experiences sharing and collaboration. It also has the responsibility for the international statistics standards for telecommunication/ICT indicators and compiles and disseminates valuable ICT Statistics which provide the basis for sound public policy decisions. This Department promotes innovation culture and projects to the Member States. The DKS Department leads and coordinates innovation throughout the BDT. This Department also ensures the active participation of youth and the need to guaranteeing accessibility and inclusion for all and promoting reinforcement for gender issues.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION The purpose of the consultancy is to establish a roster of consultants with expertise relevant to Digital Inclusion topics, such as ICT accessibility or to one or more groups in vulnerable situations targeted by the ITU-D work in digital inclusion such as women and girls, youth, persons with disabilities, people from rural, remote and Indigenous communities, and older persons, while taking into account the holistic and intersectionality aspect for each of these group in the digital inclusion related process. The roster will support the successful implementation of digital inclusion activities, initiative and projects. It will enable the Digital Inclusion Service to draw on specialized expertise to advance its digital inclusion work across research, programmatic work and/or project implementation, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge sharing and development, among others.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the guidance of the Head of the Digital Inclusion Service and in collaboration with relevant team members and, where appropriate, ITU Digital Inclusion Regional Focal Points in regional and area offices, the consultant will carry out the following activities:

• Provide technical expertise and advisory support on digital inclusion topics, such as ICT accessibility policies, strategies, programmes and initiatives or those addressing digital inclusion of one or more groups in vulnerable situations such as: women and girls, youth, persons with disabilities, people from rural, remote and Indigenous communities, and older persons, including related consideration from a holistic approach or through an intersectional lens where applicable.
• Undertake research, consultations and analysis on digital inclusion issues relevant to the assigned target group(s), geographic context or thematic area, and contribute to the identification of emerging trends and policies and strategies’ considerations.
• Develop analytical and knowledge products, including background papers, briefing notes, policy inputs, mapping exercises, case studies, good practice compilations and recommendations.
• Support the formulation, implementation and monitoring of digital inclusion projects, activities and workplans, including results frameworks, indicators, milestones and implementation arrangements, as required.
• Contribute to monitoring progress, documenting results, identifying implementation risks and proposing practical corrective actions or follow-up measures.
• Support coordination with implementing partners, beneficiaries, ITU regional and area offices, and other relevant stakeholders, as requested or as appropriate to the assignment.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of training materials, tools and resources, guidance documents and capacity-development activities, and support consultations, workshops, webinars and other activities relevant to the engagement.
• Support the preparation, delivery and follow-up of events, meetings, campaigns and advocacy activities related to digital inclusion, including the documentation related to the development of these events and follow-up actions such as recommendations, commitments, lessons learned.
• Perform activities related to digital inclusion and assignments, as required by the Digital Inclusion Service and in line with the consultant’s area of expertise.

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

Specific deliverables will be defined according to the Terms of Reference to be established for each specific requirement and may vary depending on the context and priorities of the project and programme. Depending on the expertise required and related assignment(s), deliverables may include one or more of the following:

• Research, analytical and knowledge products, including research papers, analytical briefs, background notes, policy inputs, needs assessments, stakeholder mappings, case studies, good practice compilations and technical recommendations related to digital inclusion for the relevant target group(s), thematic area or geographic context.
• Technical contributions to the design, implementation and monitoring of digital inclusion activities, projects and initiatives, including strategies, guidelines, methodologies, project documents, implementation plans, results frameworks, monitoring tools, progress updates, risk and issue tracking inputs, and recommendations for specific or all stakeholders involved, and or for follow-up action.
• Capacity-development and stakeholder engagement outputs, including training curricula, modules, learning materials, facilitation guides, practical exercises, assessment tools, toolkits, resource packages, and reports or summaries documenting delivery, participation, feedback, immediate results and recommended follow-up.
• Event, activity and assignment reporting, including event organisation, thematic sessions content including concept notes and runs of show, development of related interventions talking points, event reports, outcome documents, summaries of discussions, lessons learned, stakeholder feedback, consolidated progress or final reports, and other documentation outlining activities undertaken, deliverables completed, results achieved, challenges encountered and recommended next steps.
• Provision of subject matter expertise in digital inclusion topics such as: ICT accessibility, gender, youth, persons with disabilities, people from rural, remote or indigenous communities, older persons, policy regulatory measures and strategies, emerging ICT such as AI to advance digital inclusion and other related expertise that is relevant to advance national, regional and global digital inclusion, towards building inclusive digital societies and digital ecosystem.

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with strong interpersonal abilities.
• Strong drafting and storytelling skills particularly in relation to digital inclusion.
• Excellent research, analysis and synthesis skills.
• Strong organizational and collaboration skills, with the ability to take initiative, prioritize independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and coordinate activities effectively.
• Strong problem-solving skills, combined with a practical, diplomatic and service-oriented approach.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments, with flexibility, resilience and a strong team-oriented mindset.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

University degree in telecommunication, information technology, law, international development, business administration or 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. An advanced degree would be an advantage.

Experience:

At least three (3) years of experience in digital inclusion topics including, ICT accessibility or related to one or more groups in vulnerable situations, such as women and girls, youth, persons with disabilities, rural, remote and indigenous communities, and/or older persons, is required.
Experience in ICT related policies, regulatory measures and strategies relevant to digital inclusion is desirable.
Experience contributing to research, analysis, policy, programme development, or project activities related to digital inclusion, people educational and socio-economic development and inclusion in the digital society and ecosystem is desirable.
Experience supporting stakeholder engagement, consultations, capacity-development activities, or knowledge products in national or international contexts is desirable.
Knowledge of addressing digital inclusion from a holistic and intersectional approach would be an advantage.
Knowledge of ITU work related to digital inclusion would be an asset.

Languages:

Knowledge of English or French or Spanish at advanced level. Knowledge of another official language of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, Russian) would be an advantage.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

Between USD 160 and USD 450 per working day to be defined according to the work experience of the consultant and the complexity of the assignment.

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.