Giga Country Implementation Specialist

Volunteering

Overview

Coordinate Giga initiatives and partnerships in Niger.

You have:

• An advanced university degree in technology, business administration or management, public relations, international development or other relevant fields.
• Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience in startups, business, management consulting or a relevant field, some of which should be in an international setting.
• Experience with ICT hardware, mobile phones and web-based technologies, particularly designing or deploying tools appropriate to low-bandwidth environments.
• Experience working with or managing relationships with Telecommunications sector, fixed MNOs and ISPs.
• Familiarity working with quantitative and qualitative statistics and government data is desired: census, EMIS, location data, etc.
• Strong familiarity with the cultural and political context of the region.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management.
• Valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain.
• Fluent in French and English.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNICEF Chief of Education or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Giga Country Implementation Specialist will:

• Act as primary focal point for coordination

  • Act as liaison between Government of Niger, ITU, UNICEF, the Giga HQ team and key sector ministries.
  • Support the budgeting of key initiatives and the preparation of relevant, linked communication and materials.
  • Oversee development and quality assurance during planning and deployment of Giga based initiatives; participate in establishing and maintaining standards, documentation and support mechanisms.
  • Support the Giga Niger Technical Committee to ensure that progress is made on the Giga work plan.

• Lead and provide critical input in design for major Giga Niger events in 2021/2

• Develop relationships with counterparts in relevant institutions and private sector.

  • Develop partnerships and networks with key line ministries (education), local solution providers, innovators, NGOs, the private sector, local media and academia to advance Giga in Niger.
  • Support the establishment of data sharing agreements with MNOs and ISPs and manage these relationships to ensure smooth and continued data sharing.
  • Support the generation of partner-oriented communication materials, including clear concept notes and budgets.
  • Ensure their support to the project and facilitate timely communications.

• Coordinate the activities related to all the pillars of Giga.

  • Work with relevant government divisions to collect, clean, classify the required data for Giga mapping and finance modeling work. Support relevant government counterparts to re-incorporate cleaned and validated data back into the respective government registries.
  • Support the deployment of software tools for real-time monitoring of internet connectivity in schools.
  • Work with the Giga team to adapt the developed tools to the needs of Niger, and coordinate and mediate between all key stakeholders to achieve the results.
  • Identify and compile lessons and results from previous connectivity initiatives in Niger, especially those related to school connectivity, and integrate these insights into Giga programming and planning.
  • Coordinate the implementation of an eventual Giga pilot and inform scale-up through testing innovative technologies, business models, costed investment cases and other solutions to inform scale up school connectivity in the country.

• Knowledge Management activities including progress reporting, project communications, risk management and lessons learned.

  • Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned from Giga deployment for integration into broader knowledge development planning and management efforts including from other countries through the global and regional networks. Share regular updates with the Giga HQ team.

Ensure documentation and clear monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for Giga in Niger including baseline data collection, on-going monitoring, as well as first phase data collection and analysis.

Educational additional comments

Education, qualifications, skills, experience, areas of expertise (to be filled in by the host entity).

For example (the below is indicative, to be adapted by the host entity).

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in technology, business administration or management, public relations, international development or other relevant fields.
• Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience in startups, business, management consulting or a relevant field, some of which should be in an international setting.
• Experience with ICT hardware, mobile phones and web-based technologies, particularly designing or deploying tools appropriate to low-bandwidth environments.
• Experience working with or managing relationships with Telecommunications sector, fixed MNOs and ISPs
• Familiarity working with quantitative and qualitative statistics and government data is desired: census, EMIS, location data, etc.
• Strong familiarity with the cultural and political context of the region.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in technology for development, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

b) Competencies and values:

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF/ITU; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF/ITU procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF/ITU in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF/ITU’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Experience remark

• At least two years of professional experience in external relations, communications, project development, reporting and/or any resource-mobilization related activities.
• Prior international development or humanitarian experience desirable.
• Strong writing and editing skills in English and French.
• Strong analytical and logical thinking.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Language skills

• French(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise details

UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:

• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment.
• Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity.
• Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal.
• Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address.
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning. ​
• Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations.
• Leave management.
• DSA for official travel, when applicable​.
• All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Competencies values

Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

Application procedure

EN * Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool? Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply. * Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool? Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply. Application deadline: 12-09-2021

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org