ENHANCEMENT OF GOVERNANCE AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT IN THE ICT SECTOR (EGEE-ICT) IN THE EASTERN AFRICA, SOUTHERN AFRICA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION CALL FOR APPLICATIONS TEAM LEADER, TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXPERT PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat and the European Union (EU) have signed a Grant contribution agreement worth EUR 8M for the Enhancement of Governance and Enabling Environment in the ICT sector (EGEE-ICT) in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region (EA-SA-IO)). The EGEE- ICT is a four (4) year programme that aims at supporting the effective review or and development of various regional policy and regulatory framework in a harmonized manner that will contribute to enhancing competition , improved access to cost effective and secure ICT services. The overall objective of the programme is to deepen regional integration and growth of the ICT sector in EA-SA-IO region. The Programme specific objectives are to have:-

1. Regionally coordinated public and private sector ICT policy development;
2. Enhanced policy and regulatory environment for competitive markets and gender sensitive ICT markets;
3. Improved infrastructure connectivity and access to ICT

The program integrates three key result areas which will be implemented with sub result areas as follows:

Result 1: Regionally coordinated public and private sector ICT policy development

Sub Result 1.1: Mechanism for consensus building in policy development among public and private sectors developed

Sub Result 1.2: Capacity of existing regional ICT associations enhanced;

Sub Result 1.3: Accountability systems in policy formulation and implementation strengthened between public and private ICT sector actors.

Result 2: Enhanced policy and regulatory environment for competitive markets and gender sensitive ICT markets

Sub result 2.1: Regional model policy and regulatory frameworks for e-commerce developed

Sub result 2.2: Gender responsive rights-based policy and regulatory frameworks for universal access and licensing strengthened

Sub result 2.3: Policy and regulatory frameworks to harmonise mobile roaming and termination tariffs and transit internet charges developed

Result 3: Improved Policies, infrastructure connectivity and access to ICT

Sub result 3.1: Policies to promote private sector investment in ICT infrastructure developed

Sub result 3.2: Policies and regulatory frameworks for open access and infrastructure sharing developed

The primary beneficiaries of the EGEE-ICT programme will be member states of EA-SA- IO region, through their respective ICT Ministries and Regulators as they will use this programme to support the development and implementation of policies and regulatory frameworks that will provide a conducive environment for the effective development of the ICT sector. Others are Regional Association of Regulators that play a great role in the development of policy guidelines and regulations and in the harmonisation process namely the Communication Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), Eastern Africa Communication Organisation (EACO) and Association of Regulators for Information and Communication for Eastern and Southern Africa (ARICEA). .

PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

To implement the programme, the COMESA secretariat will set up a Programme Implementation Team to be based in the Infrastructure and Logistics Division.

The Programme Implementation Team will be composed of staff as described in the job descriptions below and will also be supported by short-term experts where needed:

JOB TITLE:
Team Leader, Telecommunications Expert

GRADE :
Professional Level

SALARY:
EURO 94,236 p.a all inclusive

PROGRAMME:
Enhancement of Governance and Enabling Environment in the ICT sector (EGEE-ICT) in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region

DUTY STATION:
Infrastructure and Logistics Division, COMESA Secretariat, Lusaka, Zambia

CONTRACT DURATION:
From date of signature of the contract up to the end of the programme duration, which is expected to end in December 2024. The initial contract period shall include a six (6) months probationary period.

REPORTING TO:
Director Infrastructure and Logistics Division

SCOPE OF WORK

The Team leader will provide leadership, technical expertise and programme management support on the implementation of the programme. The team leader will be responsible for planning and execution of the programme in terms of daily practical management and coordination of the activities. The Team Leader will work closely with the Telecommunication Officer.

SPECIFIC TASKS/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The specific responsibilities are to:-

1. Provide technical leadership to the programme implementation and contribute to the development /adjustments of the programme implementation strategy as and when necessary;
2. With support from the EDF Programme Manager, develop the programme annual work plans and annual narrative reports in line with the Contribution Agreement
3. Monitor and report on the programme implementation and performance following the programme’s logical framework and advise on adaptation or adjustments where and when necessary; reports should highlight clearly the achievements (as per indicators) and any challenges faced and what mitigation measures were
4. Working in collaboration with other Divisions at COMESA in the implementation of the programmes such as the ICT and Gender Divisions
5. Develop TORs for short term experts;
6. Design and setup the coordination mechanism with partner RECs and other stakeholders;
7. Develop policies and regulations in line with the contribution agreement to foster competitive markets including e- commerce, licensing and universal access, tariff harmonisation, investment promotion and open Access
8. Organize Multi Stakeholder workshops at regional level to validate the studies and developed frameworks
9. Ensure documentation and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned from the programme implementation;
10. Ensure coordination of activities with cooperating partners both at regional and national to avoid duplication and ensure complementarity of activities and
11. Coordinate programme related activities for the Association of Regulators for Information and communications for Eastern and Southern Africa(ARICEA)
12. Carry out any other duties which may be allocated by the

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, ICT, Telecommunications or related discipline
2. Master’s degree in Telecommunications, ICT, Engineering, Economics, business administration or related discipline,

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. At least 10 years’ proven experience in the ICT sector, with at least 5 years’ experience in management of ICT/Telecommunication infrastructure and services development including Formulation of ICT strategies, policies and
2. Experience in ICT/Telecommunication business development and a good understanding of the regulation and costing of ICT/ Telecommunication networks and services including the following

• • Cost and service definitions and measures
  • Service and cost modelling
  • Infrastructure and wholesale service access
  • Pricing
  • Regulatory Economics

3. Knowledge in ICT for development including e-governance, e-education and e- health, with particular emphasis on relevant e- strategies
4. Knowledge of national/regional organizations dealing with ICT sector policy, regulation
5. Experience in facilitating seminars and
6. Strong management and Leadership skills , ability to run a technical team and capacity to develop proactive policies and strategies to accomplish objectives and drives for change
7. Strong management, organizational and people skills
8. Strong writing and presentation
9. Financial management and fiscal responsibility
10. Proven expertise in programme management involving collaboration with public and private sector, technical partners and other stakeholders
11. Relevant experience working in similar donor funded regional programmes, preferably (but not limited to) EU-funded programmes, in developing countries in general and in Sub-Saharan Africa in particular would be an additional

WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL THE POSITIONS

Must be fluent in English and/or French and/or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two or all these languages will be an added advantage.

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

Applicants must be nationals of EU, ACP and COMESA Member States and not more than 55 years of age at the time of submitting the application.

FINAL DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS

Applications MUST be submitted electronically through email on the prescribed COMESA APPLICATION FORM which can be accessed at the following COMESA website: http://www.comesa.int/, Opportunities, COMESA Job Application Format.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applications should reach the address below not later than 24th March 2021 at 18:00 hours Lusaka, Zambia time.