Location: Remote/online with regular availability for meetings with CARICOM Secretariat based in Guyana and CCA Section based in London
Duration: 75 days over the period October– April 2023
Responsible to: Advisor, Digital Trade Policy, Commonwealth Secretariat
Remuneration: Up to £10,000 including taxes and all expenditures
Closing date: 17:00 PM BST, 7 October 2022
Background to the assignment
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has declared Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a priority, and this is reflected in the objectives identified in the technological resilience pillar of the CARICOM Regional Strategic Plan 2015-2019.
The ICT4D programme is part of the Directorate of Economic Integration, Innovation and development (EIID). The CARICOM Secretariat, through the ICT4D programme, works with Member States and other regional and international stakeholders and partners in designing, implementing and executing policies, programmes and projects to accelerate the development of this sector. The main thrust for the programme is the implementation of the Single CARICOM ICT Space and the CARICOM Digital Agenda 2025.
In this regard, ICT for development (ICT4D) or Digital development, as it is now termed, combines the ICT sector and initiatives with the social, environmental, economic and political objectives to fast-track international, regional and national initiatives and covers numerous areas, including ICT applications, digital trade, cyber security, e/m-commerce, e-education, e-government, e-health, open-source software, policy development, services, statistics, youth and e-waste.
The CCA Section of the Commonwealth Secretariat is currently working together with ICT4D on several initiatives to advance digital development and fostering the development of resilient digital economies within the CARICOM region. This assignment, therefore, falls within the Digital Connectivity Cluster (DCC) of CCA and will involve working closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat Team as well as the ICT4D team of the CARICOM Secretariat. The main goal of engagement is to render qualitative assistance and support to the ICT4D Programme, which is part of the Directorate of EIID of the CARICOM Secretariat with particular focus on research, development of policy briefs and papers, conducting requisite monitoring and follow- up of collaborative initiatives which are being jointly undertaken by ICT4D and the CCA Section of the Secretariat.
Required skills and experience
- Masters’ degree in information science, ICT for development, international trade and development, management, public policy, economics, business administration or related discipline.
- At least 2 years’ relevant professional experience in ICT for development (ICT4D) and digital trade research or communication.
- Demonstrated skills in policy development, data collection, analysis, monitoring and evaluation and report writing.
- Strong organisational and planning skills, flexibility and ability to perform under pressure.
- Excellent team player.
- Passionate about development particularly within the CARICOM region.
- Demonstrated ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment.
- Strong inter-personal and (spoken and written) communication skills.
- Ability to constructively and tactfully engage with senior public and private sector partners and policymakers to solicit relevant information.
- Knowledge of least developed countries (LDC) and small island developing states (SIDS) context is an advantage.
Please apply for this contract by submitting a Technical and Commercial proposal to [email protected] by 30 September 2022.
Prices quoted should include VAT but must indicate clearly where VAT is applicable and where items might be zero-rated. Evaluation will be based on both competency and cost.
Closing date: 17:00PM, 7 October 2022
*Please note that applications from Commonwealth Citizens and Firms registered in Commonwealth countries will be given priority in the Selection and evaluation process.