TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR EXPERTS FOR THE SINGLE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT (SPIU) FOR THE RWANDA DIGITAL ACCELERATION PROJECT
1. Background
Rwanda has distinguished itself as a country that is deeply committed to leveraging digital transformation as a means to accelerate growth and reduce poverty. Government is committed to using digitally enabled solutions, wherever possible, to leapfrog traditional approaches and support innovation in service delivery. Beginning as early as 2000, Rwanda began charting an ambitious course for achieving rapid digitization, through a series of five-year plans – culminating in the SMART Rwanda Master Plan. These policies have resulted in the progressive roll-out of digital infrastructure, impressive public e-services expansion (though from a very low base), as well as initiatives to support digital skills and to position Rwanda as a regional ICT hub, underpinned by government institutions and leadership committed to this agenda. Today, Rwanda continues to articulate ambitious strategies in relation to many of these areas.
The Government of Rwanda (GoR) is set to receive funding from the World Bank (WB) to accelerate country-wide digital transformation, as well as facilitate Rwanda’s integration in the emerging regional digital market. The proposed “Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project” project (henceforth referred to as the ‘the project’) will expand digital adoption, bringing more Rwandans online by addressing the major barriers that dampen demand for digital services and spearheading a series of interventions that promote digital inclusion. The project will also enable Rwanda to leverage critical enabling digital platforms and data-driven solutions to improve the efficiency of public service delivery and expand the adoption of digitally enabled services. Finally, the project will also increase Rwanda’s capacity to support digital innovation and productivity gains, by strengthening the local digital innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, supporting tech firms to move from start-ups to growth, and adopting digital technology in key sectors.
The Project will be coordinated through the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), with Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) as the Project implementing institution. A dedicated Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) is thus being set up and operationalized at RISA that will have overall responsibility for supporting project preparation and implementation.
RISA seeks to hire a series of high-performing and qualified experts to fill the positions of the SPIU, who will drive the successful and effective preparation and delivery of this project. The job profiles, roles, and responsibilities, and reporting requirements of the said consultants are indicated below.
2. Summary of Needed Experts
Experts hired will be under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RISA. The consultants will work in close collaboration with the Management and Staff of RISA and MINICT, as well as many other key project stakeholders throughout the project cycle – from identification through to implementation – supporting planning, contracting, oversight, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and project reporting on progress.
Given the coordination role played by RISA on the digital agenda in Rwanda and the coordination role that the SPIU will play in a relation to the project, all successful candidates will need to possess strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
To be successful, experts will also need to possess strong technical expertise in their respective fields and excellent project management skills, including a track record of managing large and complex donor-funded projects.
Below are detailed job roles and required qualifications for the different experts which the SPIU currently plans to hire as part of its initial set-up.
3. Job Profiles and Description
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Job Profiles for the Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project
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Job title
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Job profile (Needed Qualifications, Skills and Experience)
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Number of Positions
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6
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Digital Infrastructure and Broadband Access Specialist
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Selection Criteria:
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer /Network Engineering, Information, and Communication Technology (ICT), Information Systems or equivalent, with a minimum 8 years of relevant work experience; or
Master’s Degree (preferred) in Computer /Network Engineering, Information, and Communication Technology (ICT), Information Systems or equivalent, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
Industry certifications such as MCIP, MCSA, MCSE, CCNA, CNNP are added advantage.
Possession of Prince2 or PMP certification is an added advantage
Technical competencies:
- Extensive experience of designing and implementing digital infrastructure and access initiatives, incorporating best practice – prior experience of working on government- and/or donor-funded and IT infrastructure related projects preferred;
- Track-record of assessing technical needs and specifications, supporting planning as well as and supervision of large, complex, and nation-wide digital infrastructure projects of a similar scale and technical nature;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the digital infrastructure and device value-chain, as well as the broadband market in Rwanda (demand and supply side), including market player, key challenges and opportunities for development, as well as innovative and emerging approaches to last-mile connectivity;
- Demonstrated knowledge of key regulatory and policy issues related to the telecommunication sector and broadband market development – e.g. competition, affordability, quality of service (QoS), local content, spectrum management, and infrastructure sharing etc.;
- Familiarity with the digital inclusion and universal broadband access agenda, as it pertains to Rwanda, including experience of working on related initiatives;
- Demonstrated knowledge of network infrastructure and related solutions (e.g. WAN/LANS), including latest trends, as well as related deployment and maintenance requirements;
- Demonstrated knowledge of emerging telecommunication technologies such as 5G;
- Some knowledge of the digital education agenda is considered an advantage, including school and higher education connectivity;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, methods of ICT and infrastructure-project planning, monitoring, and evaluation;
- Ability to learn about new products, systems, applications, technologies, and related trends;
- Ability to research and analyze technical problems, issues, and program requirements, as well as develop related solutions;
- Prior experience in designing digital infrastructure and access initiatives that crowd in and support the private sector is considered an advantage;
- Extensive experience in dealing with the private sector, digital infrastructure, and IT providers and managing related contracts, and providing related quality assurance.
- Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in leading / co-leading similar initiatives;
General Competencies (management, leadership, communication, problem-solving, monitoring, coordination, stakeholder management, etc.)
- Ability to work effectively across multiple cross-functional teams to proactively resolve problems, support and engage key stakeholders; as well as work effectively across boundaries even without active guidance from the management;
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills; including the ability to work independently, effectively in a team/task force as a team member or leader, and with senior staff and managers;
- Demonstrated ability to listen and integrate ideas from diverse views, create partnerships and collaborate with others, advocate and influence, resolve conflicts constructively,
- Proven ability to conduct research independently and present results effectively;
- Impeccable planning, organization, and time management skill; Ability to work well under pressure and to meet tight deadlines;
- Demonstrates a high level of motivation, confidence, integrity, and responsibility;
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to provide solutions to emerging challenges;
- Experience leading change, taking initiative, and driving results;
- Computer literacy including Microsoft packages;
- Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal, including the capacity to communicate complex and technical issues in simple terms;
- Proven ability to clearly and concisely prepare, present, and discuss recommendations at senior levels and to produce deliverables such as memoranda, recommendations, requirements documents, and status reports;
- Fluency in English is essential;
- Should demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and integrity.
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- Act as primary technical advisor, lead, and program manager for all digital infrastructure and broadband access related activities envisioned under the project, including last-mile connectivity, device affordability scheme, shared government digital infrastructure, as well as policy and regulatory support for broadband market development;
- Support the coordination of related technical assistance and works financed by the project, collaborating with concerned stakeholders and beneficiaries to determine gaps and needs (as they evolve), provide technical advice, ensure effective planning, smooth implementation, adequate quality assurance, follow-up, maintenance and support;
- Support the Procurement Specialist on the technical elements of procurement and contract management of related activities: (i) support concerned stakeholders and beneficiaries to prepare/refine/review technical terms of reference and bidding documents, and related selections; (ii) act as a contact for contracted consultants and firms in relation to the delivery of technical assignments; (iii) liaise with parties to ensure delivery of activities against agreed timelines and technical specifications;
- Stay abreast of the emerging broadband market and digital infrastructure trends, in order to advise management and project stakeholder on new developments and emerging best practices that may positively shape project design, planning etc. including conducting ad hoc research as needed;
- Support the M&E Specialist on the technical elements of M&E framework design and set-up, maintaining an overview of progress and other detailed technical KPIs to ensure that broadband market growth leads to target subscription, device penetration figures as well as network usage and resilience, etc.;
- Support development and review of enabling guidelines, policies, and procedures (e.g. in relation to access), as needed, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, ensure that corresponding standards are embedded in activity design and delivery;
- Support development and review of technical specification/standard, plans, and proposals (e.g.to reliability, climate impact, quality of service, and vulnerability, as needed, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders;
- Work with Cybersecurity specialist to ensure that cybersecurity consideration is integrated, as part of related said standards;
- Lead ad-hoc site-visits to review progress (e.g. scheme roll-out or infrastructure deployment), flagging issues and suggesting solutions, to ensure maximum and intended impact
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- Support procurement and delivery of PPA activities linked to digital infrastructure and broadband access. (Within first three months of contract signature)
- Progress report (every month)Reporting:Deliverables
- The Digital Infrastructure and Broadband Access Expert will report to the SPIU Coordinator
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- Duty Station
The experts will be stationed at the RISA-SPIU office in Kigali. Ad hoc home-based work may be permitted, in the context of Covid-19 but will be based on wider Government policy on this matter.
- Appointment – duration
The appointment will be on a contract basis of 1 Year renewable based on need, performance, and funds availability.
- Appointment – type
If not otherwise stated, contracting is expected to be full time.
- Equipment and services
The project will provide a furnished and equipped office with a computer and accessories, internet service in the office, and airtime for mobile telephone.
Application Guidelines:
Interested experts should apply online (recruitment@risa.rw) and upload application documents including Application letter, Curriculum Vitae, Identification card, copies of degree certificates, and professional certificates.
Only online applications shall be considered, and the folder containing application documents MUST be saved under the name of the job position applied for.
For any inquiries/clarification use the above email.
Address all applications to the Chief Financial Officer of the Rwanda Information Society Authority.
Deadline for application: Friday, December 11th, 2020.
