Economic Commission for Africa

ICT, Science and Technology Division (ISTD)

ICT for Development Section

Policy and Strategy for building Multi-stakeholder Partnership for ICT, Science, Technology and Innovation (ISTI) Policies process

Objective

Implementing African Information Society Initiatives (AISI), STI policy and strategy at country, sub-regional and regional levels requires multi-stakeholder partnerships as a result of the recognition that no one sector on its own can overcome the challenges ahead. Also putting in place national strategies alone does not deliver AISI and STI goals without the express involvement of key stakeholders during the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes.

Up-scaling the use of ISTI to contribute to the achievement of the MDGs requires additional investment and resource mobilization. It should be noted that the deployment of ISTI increases effectiveness and efficiency in reaching the MDGs whatever the resources avail­able – mainstreaming ISTIs pays off even when budgets are stagnating or shrinking. The way forward towards up-scaling pro-poor ISTI policies and practices faces significant chal­lenges during the transition phase in the develop­ment of national strategies. These include: retain­ing local ownership, capacity building in local communities, adaptation to the local contexts, developing sustainable business models, and defining the level of institutional and public sector support. Achieving access to and accountability for public actions requires the collaboration of all groups of society. Specifically, strengthening the ability of poor people to shape decisions that affect their lives and removing discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, and social status are central elements of facilitating empowerment.

Stakeholders networking and partnerships are therefore critical to create a favourable policy dialogue and ownership climate for effective implementation and impacts. Media, Private sector, Academia Institutions and Civil Society organizations need to be permanent and dynamic partners because governments alone cannot achieve the goals.

The objective of the consultancy service is to support the national governments to develop a multi-stakeholder partnership, including PPP and other policies and strategies to enable the country to put in place a guiding framework for harnessing ISTI to accelerate the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and in support of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs). The overall exercise would enhance the country's socio-economic development through effective implementation of various sectoral ISTI projects and programs.

Duties and Responsibilities of Consultant

•  Conduct a needs assessment (baseline study) aiming at identifying existing stakeholder groups, networks and partnership activities contributing to the information society;

•  Undertake a SWOT analysis of Media practitioners, Civil Society Organizations, Youth groups, Private Sector actors, Parliament and other groups and networks participation in ISTI activities, policies and strategies;

•  Propose and define new requirements, approaches, legal and regulatory environment to improving better participation of various stakeholders;

•  Organize high level workshops aimed at discussing and building consensus from all stakeholders on the Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (MSP) in ISTI policy and strategies based on priorities identified during the needs assessment phase;

•  Work closely with Government ministries and other stakeholders to advise on matters related to MSP development;

•  Prepare a proposal on the best approach on sustainable MSP thematic Networks and human resource development;

•  Develop the draft of MSP in ISTI framework, policy and implementation plan documents and organize workshops to review and enrich the documents for adoption.

•  The draft should include a specific paragraph on relevant Stakeholders including government officials, private sector actors, media actors, civil society, youth groups, women's groups, gender clusters and other specialized groups based on priorities identified during the needs assessment phase.

Qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in Information Technology, Telecommunications, Electronics Engineering, with emphasis on policy development and/or analysis. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience in the field of Information Systems and Technology may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible post-graduate experience in an area of relevance to the section's work. Experience in the African context will be an advantage.

Competencies

Professionalism - Extensive knowledge of all aspects of information systems, policy development, management and monitoring. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand information system and business operational issues so as to thoroughly analyze and evaluate critical systems matters; in-depth knowledge of the country's information infrastructure status, poverty reduction strategy and other development agendas.
Creativity - Original and creative thinking in advising on and resolving major issues and problems related to mainstreaming policy in development agendas.
Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Communication - Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to defend difficult issues and positions to senior officials; ability to interact with high-level government officials.
Planning and Organizing - Proven ability to prioritize, plan and organize own work and ability to integrate work into the work of the unit; ability to monitor and adjust plan and priorities as necessary and to work according to deadlines.

Language

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the work of the section, fluency in written and oral English or French is required. Knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested persons who wish to be considered for the roster are requested to complete the Personal History Form (Form P-11) and send it before 31 May 2008 by e-mail to: ecarecruitment@uneca.org . Kindly note that only applications submitted on Form P-11 will be reviewed.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).

After the initial screening process, persons found to meet the eligibility requirements indicated in the TORs will be contacted for verification of their academic and professional credentials. On completion of the verification process, those retained for roster will be advised accordingly. They will subsequently be contacted to undertake consultancy assignments whenever the need arises. The duration of such assignments ranges from one to six months.

http://www.uneca.org/aisi/