Roster - Country Project Coordination Consultant, Sec. BDT, Dept. Regional Offices

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Africa National Broadband Mapping Systems (Africa-BB-Maps) Project is implemented simultaneously across eleven beneficiary countries (Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) through multiple contractors and National Regulatory Authorities under a common governance and implementation framework.The Country Project Coordination Consultant will support the effective implementation of project activities at the national level by coordinating stakeholders, facilitating communication, monitoring implementation progress and ensuring the timely delivery of country-level activities in accordance with the approved workplans and implementation schedule. The objective of this roster is to establish a pool of qualified consultants who may be engaged, as needed, to support the implementation of project activities in the following beneficiary countries: Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Candidates for this roster must be nationals of, or legal residents with a valid work permit in the beneficiary country for which they apply. Candidates must be residing in the respective beneficiary country throughout the duration of the assignment.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the direction of the Regional Director for the Regional Office for Africa, and the guidance of the Project Manager, the consultant will:

• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of project activities within the assigned beneficiary country in accordance with the approved Country Implementation Plan, workplan and implementation schedule.
• Serve as the primary national focal point, liaising with the beneficiary institution, local contractors/sub-contractors, government entities and other stakeholders to facilitate effective project implementation.
• Work closely with the Regional Project Coordinator to ensure effective coordination, timely reporting and consistent implementation across beneficiary countries.
• Monitor implementation progress against agreed milestones and deliverables, identify risks and issues, and promptly escalate matters requiring management attention.
• Coordinate national project meetings, workshops, training activities, technical missions and stakeholder consultations, and facilitate effective communication among all project stakeholders.
• Monitor contractor activities, follow up on agreed actions, and support national data collection and stakeholder engagement to ensure timely delivery of project outputs.
• Prepare and submit implementation updates, progress reports, meeting minutes, action trackers and other project documentation.
• Support the beneficiary institution, the contractor and ITU in completing the national administrative and regulatory arrangements required for implementation in the country of assignment, including customs clearance and duty and tax relief for project equipment and entry formalities for contractor personnel, liaising with the competent national authorities and following up on issues arising.

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

• Successful coordination of project activities within the assigned beneficiary country, ensuring timely delivery in accordance with the approved Country Implementation Plan, workplan and implementation schedule.
• Submission of monthly implementation reports, including progress against milestones, implementation risks, issues, mitigation measures, and updated workplans, schedules and action trackers.
• Successful coordination and documentation of national project meetings, workshops, training activities, technical missions and stakeholder consultations, including agendas, minutes and action logs.
• Delivery of country-level project documentation, including stakeholder coordination updates, contractor implementation monitoring reports, and timely follow-up of agreed actions to support programme monitoring and reporting.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Excellent project coordination and implementation monitoring skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and deliverables simultaneously.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, coordination and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with government institutions, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify implementation risks and facilitate timely resolution of issues.
• Excellent report writing, documentation and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate and timely project reports and records.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining effective coordination with multidisciplinary teams.
• High standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability and commitment to delivering results.
• Knowledge of the national administrative, institutional and regulatory context of the country of assignment, including customs clearance, duty and tax relief procedures applicable to imported equipment is required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

University degree in telecommunications, information and communication technology (ICT), geographic information systems (GIS), computer science, engineering, project management, business administration, or a related field OR education from a reputed college of advanced education, with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of a university degree in one of the fields above.

Experience:

At least five (5) years of experience in project coordination, project implementation or project management, involving government institutions, regulatory authorities, development partners or the private sector.Experience monitoring project implementation and preparing progress reports is required.Experience in the telecommunications, digital infrastructure, GIS, ICT or related sectors is desirable.Previous experience working with the United Nations or another international organisation is desirable.

Languages:

Knowledge of English at advanced level for English-speaking beneficiary countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For French-speaking beneficiary countries: Benin, Burundi and Côte d’Ivoire, knowledge of French at advanced level and English at intermediate level are required.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

Between USD 230 to USD 420 per working day to be defined according to the work experience of the consultant.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The objective of this roster is to establish a pool of qualified consultants who may be engaged, as needed, to support the implementation of project activities in the following beneficiary countries: Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Candidates for this roster must be nationals of, or legal residents with a valid work permit in the beneficiary country for which they apply. Candidates must be residing in the respective beneficiary country throughout the duration of the assignment. Assignments will be offered progressively as country implementation activates.