POST:Capacity Building Specialist

APCICT-ESCAP
Location: Incheon, Republic of Korea
Last Date: January 26, 2010
Email: nipha@unapcict.org


VA Number: 10-001-APCICT-SSA-INCHEON (KOREA)
Title: Capacity Building Specialist (Consultant)
Duration: 6 months (renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funds
availability)
Deadline for Applications: 26 January 2010
Date of Issuance: 11 January 2010
Organizational Unit: Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication
Technology for Development (APCICT-ESCAP)
Duty Station: Incheon, Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND:
In order to fill the existing gap, the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT) developed and launched (on 16 June 2008) a flagship initiative entitled ‘Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders’ (Academy) comprising 8 specific modules, which are based on a well-structured Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D) curriculum framework that begins with ICT basics and builds up to more advanced ICT4D topics in
a coherent pedagogical manner.

Via this programme, APCICT aims to equip policy makers and government leaders at the central, provincial and local levels with the knowledge and skills they need to fully leverage opportunities presented by ICTs to achieve national development goals. The Academy is also targeted at managers in the public sector seeking to employ ICT tools for project management and ICT trainers and educators in public ICT training institutes.

APCICT has entered into agreements with several government agencies, international organizations and academic institutions following which the Academy has been rolled out in a number of countries and subregions. It is planned to continue to expand the programme and initiate more regional, sub-regional and national roll outs in the coming days.

APCICT has also developed and launched (in June 2009) an online version of the Academy as a distance learning platform entitled APCICT Virtual Academy (AVA) that is bringing the content of the Academy to a wider audience in the region. AVA is intended to be expanded significantly in the near future. Moreover, APCICT has created an online knowledge sharing platform called e-Collaborative Hub (e-Co Hub) to enable greater interaction and peer-learning on a range of topics relating to ICT4D.

PURPOSE:
The roll out of the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders training programme at the national and sub-regional levels, and its online version AVA, aims to ensure the following:
• Provide a comprehensive ICT training programme catered to policy makers and government leaders while ensuring the content will be mostly non-technical in nature and localized to domestic needs and realities,
• Develop the content in an extensible modular design (including its periodic updation) to maximize flexibility to meet the needs of context-specific learning situations based on organizational mandates and existing skills and capacities of available human resources within partnering organizations,
• Ensure wide coverage and outreach of AVA by ensuring the course materials are developed as open courseware and encourage the development of local content by national partners to be made available on AVA, and
• Encourage South-South cooperation by promoting the utilization of the developed open courseware for ICT sensitization and training of policy makers and government officials in other developing regions, including Africa and Latin America.

In line with this, APCICT seeks to engage a consultant to undertake the role of Capacity Building Specialist to support planning, implementation and localization of the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders training programme at the national and sub-regional levels, as assigned by the Director of APCICT. In addition, the Capacity Building Specialist will also oversee the overall management, further development, expansion and localization of AVA.

The consultancy is expected to last for 6 months (renewable), starting as soon as possible.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the overall supervision of the Director of APCICT, the ICT Distance Learning Specialist is responsible for the following duties:
1. Contribute to the planning, implementation and national roll out of the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders programme as assigned, in collaboration with the relevant national and sub-regional training institutions and other partner organizations within the Asia Pacific region. Also incorporate appropriate and relevant monitoring and evaluation methodology on the roll out of each Academy with partnering institutions.
2. Oversee the successful strategic planning, design upgrades, implementation, customization, localization and further enhancement of AVA, APCICT’s online distance learning platform, including liaison with relevant vendors in line with applicable financial and procurement processes of the organization. Also manage the AVA content including but not limited to video and audio files and PowerPoint Presentations.
3. Develop a medium to long-term action plan, identify necessary resources, establish partnerships and implement an effective promotional campaign to facilitate the widest possible coverage and outreach from AVA, and ensure full compatibility and complementarity of AVA with other relevant systems and tools.
4. Provide substantive support to management of e-Co Hub including, but not limited to, enhancing coverage of topics on ICT4D, promoting communities of practice, and increasing the number of resources available as well as users of the platform.
5. Provide support to APCICT’s Advisory services for roll out, localization and expansion of the Academy programme.
6. Assist with APCICT’s Research, knowledge management and outreach activities as necessary.
7. Prepare various written outputs, progress reports, draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications upon request of the Director of
APCICT.

QUALIFICATIONS: Keen understanding of ICT for Development issues; project management skills, strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

EDUCATION: At a minimum, university degree in computer science, management information system, social sciences or a related field, from an accredited institution.

WORK EXPERIENCE: At least 5 years of work experience in the field of information and communication technologies, e-learning, or related areas at the national or international level in a government agency, corporate establishment, NGO, academia or international organization with preferably 1-2 years acquired at the regional/international level; Previous project management experience, knowledge of developing countries and experience in establishing and managing partnerships would be additional assets; Experience with a multilateral or international organization is helpful but not mandatory.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment and to re-prioritize actions on short notice; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; - Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with clients and partners; Demonstrates ability to
remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and tight deadlines; Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment in the spirit of collaborating and cooperating with others.

LANGUAGES: Fluency in oral and written English.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two official working languages of the United Nations.

External applicants must submit a detailed personal history form using the United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) available at the United Nations offices or the UNESCAP internet website: www.unescap.org/jobs, together with a copy each of any academic achievement certificate/diploma/degree.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications (P.11 form) reference to VA No: 10-001-APCICT-SSA-INCHEON (KOREA), by deadline and email to nipha@unapcict.org. Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted. The deadline for submission is COB 26 January 2010.