Senior Adviser (ITU Area Office, Harare, Zimbabwe)

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.

VACANCY NOTICE Nº ITU/BDT/2011/TEMP/TVN 700

Date of Issue: 8 February 2011 Currently accepting applications Applications from women are encouraged Functions: Senior Adviser (ITU Area Office, Harare, Zimbabwe) Deadline for Applications: 1 March 2011 (16 day(s) until closing deadline) Duration of Contract: 5 months Type of Appointment: Short Term Appointment Duty Station: Harare, Zimbabwe Grade: P5

Organ: The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is responsible for the organization and coordination of the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector of the Union (the Union has three functional sectors: Standardization, Radiocommunication and Development) which deals mainly with development policies, strategies, programming, as well as technical cooperation activities (expert missions, training programmes, field projects, seminars, etc.).

Organization Unit: Within the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of ITU, under the supervision of the Deputy to the Director, and in close collaboration with the other Departments of BDT, the Regional and Area Offices are responsible for proposing the operational policy and strategy of telecommunication development activities in their respective regions, coordinating with countries of the region to prioritize requirements, proposing inputs for the preparation of the operational plan based on these prioritized regional requirements, as well as coordinating and implementing technical cooperation activities in their respective regions, be they in the framework of projects, regional initiatives, or follow-up of World Telecommunication Development Conferences.

Duties / Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Regional Director, ITU Regional Office for Africa, the incumbent is responsible for the promotion of telecommunications development by means of technical cooperation and technical assistance activities in the countries assigned to him/her, involving: Identification and supervision of implementation and monitoring of projects. Provision of expert assistance in the fields of Information Technologies and Universal Service/Access. Collection, circulation and exchange of information on matters pertaining to development of telecommunications and their rational use, and the activities of ITU in these fields. Organisation and participation in meetings or seminars and undertaking of other duties in connection with the development of telecommunications that may be assigned to him/her by the Regional Director, ITU Regional Office for Africa or by ITU Headquarters. Implementation of the decisions/recommendations of World and Regional Development Conferences, in particular the BDT telecommunications development programmes pertaining to the region. In addition, and in support of telecommunication development, the incumbent: Assists telecommunication administrations in formulating programmes and project requests for submission to funding sources by national planning and coordination authorities. Assists telecommunication administrations by mobilizing resources in order to provide rapid assistance for the solution of specific problems. Develops and maintains close relations with the various regional and sub-regional bodies, institutions and banks with a view to securing financial and other resources for the development of telecommunications in countries assigned to him/her. Designs projects and prepares project documents when required and takes follow-up measures for their approval. Monitors the implementation of those approved national and sub-regional projects assigned to him/her, in collaboration with the project management staff and takes all necessary action for an efficient speedy implementation. Promotes Technical Cooperation amongst Developing Countries programmes (TCDC) on a sub-regional and regional basis. Provides technical assistance to countries in his/her specialty and performs any other task in his/her field of competence that may be assigned to him/her by the Regional Director, ITU Regional Office for Africa. Directs, monitors, supervise and evaluates the work of the ITU staff assigned to the Office and the work of experts assigned to field activities. Performs any other tasks that may be assigned to him/her by the Regional Director, ITU Regional Office for Africa

Qualifications required

Education: Advanced university degree in telecommunications engineering or a related field (science/engineering, electrical/electronic engineering), with some specialization in telecommunication, OR education in a reputed college of advanced education, with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the above-mentioned fields. For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with fifteen years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes.

Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience of project management or administrative experience of telecommunication development and assistance activities in UN system including at least 5 years at the international level. Experience of working in, or association with, ITU telecommunication development activities would be an advantage. Experience in the field of information technologies and universal service/access acquired in a telecommunication administration or private operating agency. A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of one of the official languages of the ITU (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) and very good knowledge of a second official language. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration.)

Competencies: Experience and knowledge of conditions prevailing in the African Region and a good understanding of the problems and aspirations of countries involved. Proven ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with officials at all levels in a multi-cultural environment. Ability to take initiatives, aptitude for setting strategic orientations and priorities, planning, and coaching a team to maximize production and achieve set objectives. Ability to communicate orally and in writing with the decisions makers on complex/sensitive issues; ability to draft precise and complete analytical reports, project proposals, documents, projects evaluation. Knowledge of, and ability to use, personal computers.

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for written test. Interviews may be used as a form of screening.

For further information concerning the Conditions of Employment please click the following link