Digital Services Project Officer

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION  

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems. ITU also organizes global Telecom events bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the private sector to exchange ideas and knowledge for the benefit of all.

Digital Services Project Officer 

 Vacancy notice no: 2118 
Sector: BDT
Department: DNE
Country of contract: Switzerland
Duty station: Geneva

 Position number: PROJ 5092 
Grade: P2 
Type of contract: Fixed-term
Duration of contract: 1 year
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 15 September 2025

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is responsible for the organization and coordination of the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector of the Union. BDT deals mainly with development policies, strategies, programming, projects, as well as technical cooperation activities to enable and foster universal access to affordable, high-quality and secure telecommunications/ICTs and Foster equitable and inclusive use of telecommunications/ICTs to empower people and societies for sustainable development. To effectively and efficiently serve the needs of Member States, BDT is organized into four functional areas:

• Operations Coordination Department (Office of the Deputy to the Director) (DDR)
• Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS) 
• Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE) 
• Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)

The Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE) is responsible to assist the Member States, especially the G77 countries, in a wide range of ICT development challenges, as basic connectivity, spectrum management, evolution of current to future broadband networks and technologies, enabling universal and affordable access, and strengthening the security through the cybersecurity support. In addition, the DNE Department provides expertise and needed support for emergency telecommunications and the increasingly important and urgent aspects related to the environment and climate change.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the supervision of the Technology Coordinator, the incumbent will support the work of the Division on digital solutions and Digital Public Goods (DPGs) relevant to public services, with a particular focus on health and other social services critical to population well-being and sustainable development.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

He/she will:

• Support the ongoing work of the Mobile Health for Non-Communicable Diseases Project "Be Healthy, Be Mobile" and other digital health related activities/projects by assisting with communication, stakeholder identification, monitoring implementation progress with countries, providing technical support as appropriate, developing reports and documentation, and completing relevant administrative tasks as needed.
• Support ongoing Open-Source Ecosystem Enabler (OSEE) project and other activities/projects related to open-source technology with the aim of empowering public sector stakeholders through access to open-source resources, tools, and expertise for digital development and promoting the emergence of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) in health and other sectors.
• Identify use cases for existing and emerging ICT applications in health based on information from relevant sources, including academic studies, national and industry reports, white papers, and technical documentation from the UN and other relevant national and international entities with relevant expertise.
• Conduct research on empirically tested digital health initiatives and ICT applications to collect evidence about their impact and applicability and to identify the most promising and cost-effective digital interventions.
• Contribute to awareness raising efforts on the role of ICT and open-source solutions in improving healthcare service delivery by preparing advocacy and knowledge materials (reports, presentations, web stories, etc.).
• Prepare, organize, deliver and/or implement key events and workshops related to digital health and other digital services and applications.
• Prepare and organize meetings in collaboration with ITU regional and area offices. This includes drafting agendas and invitation letters; coordinating with host countries; preparing documentation for different services; coordinating with conference services for Geneva based meetings; reviewing text contributions to the meeting, preparing minutes; and delivering presentations when required.
• Prepare, organize, deliver and/or implement key events and workshops related to open-source, digital health and other digital public services.
• Support and contribute to the work of the ITU-D Study Group on "Information and Telecommunications/ICTs for e-Health" by conducting relevant research and communicating pertinent information.
• Support capacity-building efforts in countries by contributing to reference implementation, custom solutions, and action-oriented research. This includes working on relevant open-source technologies and tools, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Monitor and contribute to the work of the ITU Focus Group on "AI for Health".
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (continuation)

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Basic knowledge of digital services and applications in the context of developing countries including their potential impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
• Basic research skills and the ability to analyze existing literature and deduct lessons learned for practical application.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate activities.
• Good editing skills and ability to produce high quality reports and documentation.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

University degree in computer science, information technology, telecommunications 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 three years of progressively responsible experience in the field of the post. An advanced degree in a related field can be considered as a substitute for one year of working experience. A doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience.

Experience in dealing with digital services and applications and innovations inclusion issues would be an advantage.

Languages:

Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Salary: 
Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment (PA) (cost of living allowance). The PA is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances. Annual salary from $ 55,163 + post adjustment $ 44,903 Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment, please refer to: https://jobs.itu.int/content/What-we-offer/?locale=en_US

INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS   

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU career website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.