TCND Consultants/ 2 National Consultants Support Lead Consultant in the Establishment and commercialisation of SmartBots Lab

Result of Service - Based on the internationally benchmarked templates, guidelines and questionnaires prepared by the Lead Consultant, carry-out desk research involving the identification and review of national background documents and reports relevant to the development of SmartBots Governance Framework - Support in the development of financial sustainability/business model recommendations for the Lab - Organize workshops aiming at discussing and building consensus from all stakeholders on a national policy and strategies based on priorities identified during the needs assessment phase. Facilitate and provide necessary inputs and supporting documents for workshops;

Work Location Botswana

Expected duration 6 months starting from the date of the signature of the contract.

Duties and Responsibilities Background

The fourth industrialization calls for a boost in infrastructure, technology access, and education. To prepare Botswana for participating in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), it is critical to accelerate digital transformation as 4IR is built on the digital revolution. Botswana is still in the preparatory stage including prioritizing taking more government services online, developing and implementing an Open Data Initiative. However, in proceeding with the digital transformation, we are guided by urgent need to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the youth and ensure inclusivity across the rural and urban divide and issues of gender and age. Youths need to be retooled around the new digital skillsets to be full and active participants in this process.

To fulfil the priorities set out for Botswana’s digital transformation objectives, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has launched the implementation of the SmartBots project. The project is the operationalization of a Public Service Transformation and Technology Lab (SmartBots lab).

Overview of the SmartBots Lab

The SmartBots Lab is to serve as the co-creation space for the development of solutions that enhance productivity in both the public and private sectors. To be able to succeed, the Lab needs to be adequately resourced to ensure the core operations of the SmartBots Lab are delivered. These will include the: - Aggregation and prioritisation of projects aimed at ensuring the realisation of public sector digitisation as well as any other challenges that may be put forth to the innovation ecosystem by the public and private sectors. - Provision/Availability of diverse range of software development tools and technologies (including emerging 4IR technologies) and technical capabilities to support the conceptualisation, prototyping and development of solutions. - Identification of the best method(s) to secure the most suitable and qualified solution provider to develop the solution needed. Specific criteria to be used based on complexity of the challenge, security considerations, etc. to identify whether a hackathon or conventional procurement methods are to be used to identify the service provider. - Identification of deal flow to the commercialisation centre. Depending on the business’ maturity level, they may be onboarded into incubation and/or acceleration with a view to supporting the delivery team to establish a viable business that can see the product (and others) to market thereby making headway toward the diversification of the county’s economy.

Duties and responsibilities of the consultant

Under the guidance of the Director of Technology, Climate Change & Natural Resource Management Division (TCND) and the supervision of the Chief of the Technology and Innovation Section, the 2 National Consultant will perform the following tasks: - Prepare a clear work plan to undertake the assignment and expected deliverables - Based on the internationally benchmarked templates, guidelines and questionnaires prepared by the Lead Consultant, carry-out desk research involving the identification and review of national background documents and reports relevant to the development of SmartBots Governance Framework - Support in the development of financial sustainability/business model recommendations for the Lab - Organize workshops aiming at discussing and building consensus from all stakeholders on a national policy and strategies based on priorities identified during the needs assessment phase. Facilitate and provide necessary inputs and supporting documents for workshops; - Participate in consultations with Government officials, parliamentarians, civil society, private sector, academia and other stakeholders to support the SmartBots Governance Framework development and implementation process; - Work with lead Consultant to prepare relevant interim/progress reports on key aspects, milestones and deliverables of the SmartBots Lab Governance Framework - Serve as a resource person on several validation workshop and prepare a draft validation workshop report

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced University degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in IT, project Management, Business Administration or Human Resources Management or related field or other relevant area is required. A Bachelor's degree in IT, project Management, Business Administration or Human Resources Management or related field of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: A minimum of 6 years experience in Innovation lab and strategic planning is required. Language: English and French are the working language of the United Nations. For the consultancy advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the other language is desirable.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.