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 also organizes global Telecom events bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the private sector to exchange ideas and knowledge for the benefit of all.
Roster - Emerging Technologies for Digital Transformation Consultant for Asia and the Pacific
Vacancy notice no: 2172
Sector: BDT
Department: Regional Offices
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): 30 June 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 regional offices provide assistance to the ITU Member States of the Region, ensuring a close relationship and collaboration. To implement the agreed programs and projects, in accordance with the ITU Strategy Plan and the BDT Action Plan, with the active support of all Departments, providing timely information about their development. To provide proper line management and support, the Regional Directors report to the Director of the BDT.
The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2022 (WTDC-22) identified “Digital Transformation” as one of the five priority areas for the current development cycle of ITU-D and adopted a resolution titled “Digital transformation for sustainable development” (WGPLEN/1 (Kigali, 2022). The conference identified the following outcomes (Section 4.2, WTDC-22 Report) with regards to implementation of digital transformation.
1) Enhanced capacity of the ITU membership to accelerate digital transformation and sustainable economic and social development by leveraging and using new and emerging telecommunications/ICTs and services.
2) Strengthened capacity of the ITU membership to integrate telecommunication/ICT innovation and digitalization in their national development agendas and to develop strategies to promote innovation initiatives, including through public, private and public-private partnerships.
3) Enhanced capacity of the ITU membership to integrate telecommunication/ICT innovation and digitalization in national development agendas.
4) Enhanced human and institutional capacity of the ITU membership in telecommunications/ICTs to foster digital transformation.
The member countries in Asia and the Pacific, in particular, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), face multiple challenges to achieve the expected results of ASP RI (2) and accelerate digital transformation for inclusive sustainable development, as envisaged in the WTDC-22 and PP-22 outcomes.
In view of fast-evolving digital technology, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, 5G, non-terrestrial / Satellite technologies etc., there is an urgent need to review, update or develop digital transformation policies, strategies and national strategic frameworks to harness technology and help achieve the SDGs. In light of this pressing need, the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) has received an increasing number of requests to assist member countries in undertaking such reviews, updates and development of digital transformation policies and strategic frameworks in the region. In view of the WTDC-22 and PP-22 outcomes, the number of similar requests is expected to increase in the future.
In this context, it is proposed to study the role of emerging technologies and its integration in existing digital program of the countries.
Under the overall guidance of the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and the direction of the Area Representative, Southeast Asia and Timor Leste, the consultant will:
Design, conduct, lead the study and develop strategies to:
- Identify existing national, subregional, and regional policy practices in emerging technologies (e.g. specific national technology strategies, guidelines, roadmaps) and assess the integration of emerging technologies, telecommunication and ICT innovation into national development agendas, policies or roadmaps to facilitate accelerated rollout and adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, IoTs, bigdata, Cloud computing, IMT including 5G, non-terrestrial / Satellite technologies etc.
- Identify gaps and challenges within each country concerning adoption and deployment of emerging technologies for instance, lack of enabling technology policy and regulation, licensing of new technology-based services, spectrum needs and connectivity, as applicable.
- Develop national strategies / policies to drive the adoption and deployment of emerging technologies.
- Identify the potential role of emerging technologies in accelerating digital transformation for development within the specific country context.
- Provide country-specific recommendations on enablers and a roadmap for implementing strategies to accelerate the adoption and deployment of emerging technologies in national digital transformation initiatives and programmes and other identified related activities on emerging technologies to promote and accelerate digital transformation.
- Finalization of reports and presentations on the studies, strategies, policies, masterplans, roadmaps, and extraction, and implementation plan and related documents.
- Conduct of relevant stakeholder discussions, trainings, and workshops.
- Delivery of training and knowledge resources as required.
- Submission of the methodology of the framework of studies and assessments.
- Specific deliverables maybe defined and added to the Terms of Reference which may be established for each specific requirement and may vary depending on the context and priorities of the project and programme.
- Expertise in research and analysis, drafting and report presentation.
- Comprehensive domain understanding and Knowledge of policy and regulatory frameworks on emerging technologies.
- Effective skills in program management.
Education:
University degree in information and communication technology (ICT), sciences, mathematics, engineering, data science, computer science, computer engineering, economics, information science or a related field in emerging technologies OR education from a reputed college of advanced education, with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of university degree in one of the fields above. An Advanced degree or a doctorate would be an advantage.
Experience:
At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of emerging technologies in ICTs, telecommunication / ICTs, and related experience in their policy / regulation.
Demonstrated experience in overseeing international assistance initiatives.
Languages:
Knowledge of English at advanced level.
Between USD 250 and USD 430 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.
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.
