Senior Programme Officer-ICT

Primary Purpose of the Job

• Facilitate and coordinate the development, implementation and M&E of policies and programmes aimed at building a cost-effective and integrated Telecommunications and ICT Infrastructure and achieving reliable, affordable and universal access to ICT services in the SADC Region.

• Manage the efforts and performance of the team falling under the responsibility of the Senior Programme Officer.

Policy Development and Harmonisation

• Commission and coordinate research/studies to identify Telecommunications and ICT strategy, policy and regulatory gaps in the region.
• Coordinate the development, strengthening and harmonisation of Telecommunications and ICT strategies, policies, regulations, guidelines, standards and systems.
• Coordinate the approval and adoption of the Telecommunications and ICT strategies, policies, regulations, guidelines, standards and systems by the SADC Structures.
• Facilitate the implementation of the Telecommunications and ICT strategies, policies, regulations, guidelines, standards and systems by Member States.
• Coordinate the development, review and monitoring of the implementation/domestication of the relevant Protocol falling under the purview of this unit.

Research and Information Dissemination

• Manage the collection of information and data relevant to this focal area.
• Identify priority areas, commission studies, and use/interpret the findings to feed into the planning process.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of a centralised database on this focal area.
• Manage the dissemination of relevant data through the SADC website and other forms of media, including social media platforms or through reports to SADC Institutions.
• Undertake research work – Think Tank Approach.

Strategic Planning and Programming

• Identify key areas of interventions in the Telecommunications and ICT sector.
• Coordinate the development of long-term, medium and short strategic plans/Programme of Action for the Telecommunications and ICT.
• Facilitate the adoption of the Strategic Plans by various policy structures.
• Undertake periodic reviews of the Strategic Plans.
• Prepare Annual Corporate Plan and Risk Register for the Telecommunications and ICT infrastructure sector.
• Facilitate and coordinate implementation of capacity building initiatives for the design, development, implementation, maintenance and operations of regional Telecommunications and ICT infrastructure networks; monitor and evaluate the success of the interventions.

• Conceptualize and develop projects/programmes to implement the Strategic Plan.
• Support resource mobilisation for programme implementation as and when required by PPRM.
• Undertake steps to promote and strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs),
• Partnerships for infrastructure development, resource mobilisation, funding and operations.

Programme Implementation

• Coordinate project preparation to ensure availability of a pipeline of bankable projects.
• Facilitate implementation of the Telecommunications and ICT infrastructure related programmes/projects aimed at:

Development, Construction, Maintenance and Rehabilitation

➢ The development, construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of regional infrastructure networks; and

Regional Institutions and Frameworks

➢ The establishment and strengthening of regional institutions (including CRASA, SATA and SAPOA) and frameworks for coordination of infrastructure and services.

• Manage project staff and consultancies.
• Develop and agree on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Targets and criteria in line with SADC M&E system for monitoring the implementation of projects by the Member States.
• Monitor implementation of programmes/projects and evaluate their impact.
• Prepare reports, documents and annotated agenda for submission to various policy structures of SADC.
• Implement Ministerial and Technical meeting decisions directed to SADC Secretariat which relate to the ICT Sector.
• Implement risk management measures as outlined in the ICT Division’s Risk Register.
• Implement audit recommendations pertaining to the ICT sector.
• Contribute to the development of the SADC Annual Report.
• Share programme impact and lessons.
• Identify and build relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. development agencies, policy, and research organisations) that are critical to delivering the unit’s objectives and programme.
• Liaise with other directorates to ensure mainstreaming of cross cutting issues (e.g. Gender, Youth, HIV/AIDS, Poverty, ICT, STI etc.) into own programmes.

• Ensure joint/synergised planning and programming for programmes that have cross cutting implications/linkages with other programme directorates and units in the Secretariat.
• Liaise with SATA, CRASA and SAPOA on general implementation of the SADC Programmes, as and when required.
• Liaise with Continental and International Organisations (ATU, PAPU, ITU, UPU) where relevant in pursuing implementation of the SADC Programmes.

Position Requirements

Education

• At least a Master’s Degree in Telecommunications/ ICT or Electrical Engineering from a recognised institution.

Specialised knowledge:

• Knowledge and understanding of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, resource mobilisation, risk mitigation, administration, monitoring, reporting for Telecommunications and ICT.

• Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position.
• Knowledgeable in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR).

Experience

• At least 10 years of regional, continental or international experience in Telecommunications and ICT within a public or private sector, regional or international organisation. This includes a minimum of 4 years in a line management position.

Skills Requirements

• Good oral presentation, report writing and workshop facilitation skills.
• Conflict management skills.
• Decision-making skills.
• International relations skills.
• Good knowledge of computer and application packages.
• Ability to undertake research, analyse and synthesise information.
• Experience in managing ICT projects.
• Ability to produce both analytical and descriptive reports.
• Good analytical, writing, and Interpersonal skills.
• Leadership skills.
• Mentoring and coaching skills.
• Negotiation, persuasion, advocacy, networking, relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Organisational skills (planning, budgeting, work prioritisation, time management, M&E).
• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strategy and policy development skills.
• Team building skills.

Competency Requirements

• Apply interpersonal styles/methods to develop, motivate and empower individuals toward achievement of goals.
• Capable of maintaining quality whilst working under pressure and adhering to deadlines.
• Capacity to motivate and influence people positively, and create a climate where people want to do their best.
• Conceptual and practical thinking.
• Customer focused.
• Decisive.
• Demonstrated ability to work well, present and win support for ideas in an international, multi-cultural and highly political environment.
• Organisational awareness with an understanding of how to engage the organisation to get things done.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect of sensitive situations.
• Methodical and organised, and able to look at the big picture without losing attention to details.
• Professionalism and adherence to good work ethics and professionalism.
• Question status quo/conventional approaches and encourage new ideas and innovations for progress.
• Resilience and personal drive, self-motivation.
• Results and performance driven.
• Visionary, thinks and acts strategically.

• Facilitate and coordinate the development, implementation and M&E of policies and programmes aimed at building a cost-effective and integrated Telecommunications and ICT Infrastructure and achieving reliable, affordable and universal access to ICT services in the SADC Region.
• Manage the efforts and performance of the team falling under the responsibility of the Senior Programme Officer.
• Commission and coordinate research/studies to identify Telecommunications and ICT strategy, policy and regulatory gaps in the region.
• Coordinate the development, strengthening and harmonisation of Telecommunications and ICT strategies, policies, regulations, guidelines, standards and systems.
• Coordinate the approval and adoption of the Telecommunications and ICT strategies, policies, regulations, guidelines, standards and systems by the SADC Structures.
• Facilitate the implementation of the Telecommunications and ICT strategies, policies, regulations, guidelines, standards and systems by Member States.
• Coordinate the development, review and monitoring of the implementation/domestication of the relevant Protocol falling under the purview of this unit.
• Manage the collection of information and data relevant to this focal area.
• Identify priority areas, commission studies, and use/interpret the findings to feed into the planning process.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of a centralised database on this focal area.
• Manage the dissemination of relevant data through the SADC website and other forms of media, including social media platforms or through reports to SADC Institutions.
• Undertake research work – Think Tank Approach.

• Good oral presentation, report writing and workshop facilitation skills.
• Conflict management skills.
• Ability to undertake research, analyse and synthesise information.
• Experience in managing ICT projects.
• Ability to produce both analytical and descriptive reports.
• Good analytical, writing, and Interpersonal skills.
• Leadership skills.
• Mentoring and coaching skills.
• Negotiation, persuasion, advocacy, networking, relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Organisational skills (planning, budgeting, work prioritisation, time management, M&E).

• At least a Master’s Degree in Telecommunications/ ICT or Electrical Engineering from a recognised institution.
• Knowledge and understanding of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, resource mobilisation, risk mitigation, administration, monitoring, reporting for Telecommunications and ICT.
• Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position.
• Knowledgeable in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR).