Technology for Development Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Global and Innovation Gateway (GIGA) is a UNICEF and International Telecommunicaion Unit (ITU) global initiative to connect every school to the Internet and every young person to information, opportunity, and choice. It has launched in 2019, aiming at connecting every school to the internet. Giga is anchored in the Secretary-General's High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation’s finding 1A which states that by "2030 every adult should have affordable access to digital networks". According to the ITU, nearly 3.7 billion people remain unconnected from the internet, and by extension, unconnected to digital products and services that could dramatically improve their lives. Approximately 29% of 18-24 year-olds, most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa, do not have digital access (~360m people) and thereby lack access to the same information, opportunity and choice as their more-connected peers. Unless things change, a big part of this rapidly growing group of young people is in danger of being left behind, excluded from the modern digital world. Giga enables universal school connectivity and provides support in three broad areas: (1) High level engagement and governance around school connectivity; (2) Technical assistance to map schools’ location and connectivity status; and connectivity infrastructure; (3) Procurement and market access interventions.

Giga has been actively supporting the Government of Rwanda with their school connectivity agenda since 2019. Giga successfully mapped the school location and connectivity status information for over 4000 schools and continues to support the government in updating the map with recent data. Furthermore, Giga provides real-time monitoring of internet speeds in Rwandan schools, utilizes AI for school mapping and offers technical support for government-led school connectivity procurement processes.

To accelerate the deployment of Giga in Rwanda, we require the services of a Technology for Development Officer who will support implementation of the initiative. For more information about Giga, please visit the website: https://giga.global/.

Within the delegated authority and under the primary supervision of the Technology For Development Specialist, or her designated mandated representative(s) and secondary supervision of the Giga Global Country Engagement Lead, the UN volunteer will:

a. Act as primary focal point for coordination • Support the liaison between the Government of Rwanda, ITU area and regional offices, UNICEF Rwanda CO, the Giga HQ team and key sector ministries. • Support the planning and implementation of key initiatives and the preparation of relevant, linked communication and materials. • Support development and quality assurance during planning and deployment of Giga based initiatives; participate in establishing and maintaining standards, documentation and support mechanisms.

b. Support the design of major Giga Rwanda events as required

c. Develop relationships with counterparts in relevant institutions and the private sector • Develop partnerships and networks with key line ministries (education, ICT, USF etc.), local ISPs, innovators in the connectivity space, NGOs, the private sector, local media and academia to advance Giga in Rwanda. • Support the establishment of data sharing agreements with MNOs and ISPs and contribute to managing these relationships to ensure smooth and continued data sharing. these relationships to ensure smooth and continued data sharing. • Support the generation of partner-oriented communication materials, including clear concept notes and budgets. • Ensure stakeholder support to the project and facilitate timely communications.

d. Provide technical support to Giga related activities • Work with relevant government divisions to collect, clean, and classify the required data for Giga activities. 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 Rwanda, and coordinate and mediate between all key stakeholders to achieve the results. • Identify and compile lessons and results from previous connectivity initiatives in Rwanda, especially those related to school connectivity, and integrate these insights into Giga programming and planning. • Provide technical input and operational support to the Community Information Workers initiative, including reviewing the draft training materials, providing input to and testing the RapidPro workflow, liaising with key government counterparts and Community Information Workers and providing coordination and monitoring support to the pilot.

e. Knowledge Management activities including progress reporting, project communications, risk management and lessons learned. • Identify, gather, synthesize and share lessons learned from the deployment of Giga activities. Incorporate the lessons learnt into broader knowledge development, planning and management efforts including insights from other countries through the global and regional networks.
• Share regular updates with the Giga HQ team.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• 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

technology, business administration or management, public relations, international development or other relevant fields

. Professional work experience in tech 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, MNOs and ISPs, and / or government counterparts in Rwanda • 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 Rwanda. • 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; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in internet connectivity, technology for development, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, has undergone an incredible period of rejuvenation and stability that is clearly visible the moment you step out into this beautiful city.

Concerning transport, even though motorcycle taxis are not recommended, they are the fastest way to get around this metropolis. Helmets are provided, but it is better to have your own helmet. You can also take a standard taxi. Those with a yellow stripe will be run by individuals, while the majority will belong to either Kigali Taxi Service (3122) or Kigali Airport Taxis (476586). Public transportation is the cheapest way to get around Kigali, and many of the buses are new and well-maintained. You can also take these buses farther afield; expect to pay a fare based on distance. Transport prepaid cards are available for passengers at each bus station, and you can load a minimum amount of two hundred Rwandan francs (200RWF). If public transport isn’t your style, cars are available for rent or purchase in Kigali. Major investment has been made in infrastructure, including roads, and congestion in this city has never been particularly bad.

Accommodations are found easily and at the relevant standards and recreation infrastructures (swimming pools, aerobics, etc…) can be found in the various places.

Shops and markets are available with necessary items including imported goods, home furnishings and electrical appliances and vehicles spare parts.

Public and private health facilities are available in Kigali and some of them such as King Faisal Hospital, Legacy Clinic, Hôpital la Croix du Sud, etc. work with CIGNA insurance. The above Hospitals have necessary health equipment; ambulances, adequate health services and can handle any emergency.

Kigali is an exceptionally safe city. However, in case of emergency, there are several emergency numbers in Kigali, so be sure to know which to call. You can reach the police on a special line by dialling 999. Fire fighters can be reached at 111 and the emergency services are at 112. If you have or see a traffic accident, call 113.

Initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.

The Monthly VLA in Rwanda for specialist category US$ 619.17. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.