INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a regional grouping of 21 African States which have agreed to promote regional integration through trade development and trade facilitation. More information can be obtained from the COMESA website www.comesa.int. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced professionals from COMESA Member States for the following position:

A. JOB PURPOSE

To provide technical support in the creation of an enabling environment for development and implementation of efficient, innovative and competitive telecommunications/ICT facilities and services that meets the needs of COMESA region's consumers and businesses in line with the Division's mandate and COMESA Treaty.

B. MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Infrastructure and Logistics, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:

• Submits Telecommunications / ICT annual Work plan and budget inputs in order to gain approval for resources required to implement telecommunication work programs in line with Division mandate;
• Develops strategies and policies for the development of the information society, e-commerce, frequency spectrum management, cyber security and protection of public interest in the region;
• Develops project proposals for Telecommunication work programs implementation in order to explore potential donor funding opportunities;
• Recommends network plans required in the region to ensure the availability of an optimal and reliable inter connectivity networks in the COMESA region;
• Recommends tariff and interconnection harmonization frameworks in order to make access to ICT services affordable in the region;
• Initiates the development of rural telecommunications in order to improve access to and use of ICT in unserved areas and to disadvantaged groups;
• Provides technical support to Member States to ensure implementation and domestication of adopted policies, regulations, guidelines and standards;
• Advises and publishes technical working documents and reports in order to provide regular updates on implementation of Telecommunication work programs progress and gain feedback from management;
• Establishes linkages with other International Telecommunication Organizations and Regional Economic Communities to ensure that Telecommunications policies adopted by COMESA are aligned to continental and international best practices; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned by Executive Management from time to time.

C. MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in either Telecommunications, ICT, Engineering or a related field;
• A Ph.D. in any of the above fields would be an added advantage.

D. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Minimum of eight (8) years' experience in management of Telecommunications/ICT infrastructure projects and policy development

E. Professional Certifications/Qualifications

Membership of engineering or economic regulatory bodies or similar entities in their respective countries is desirable

F. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Specialized knowledge in any of the following areas:

• Telecommunications /ICT in economic development;
• Policy and Regulatory issues in the ICT sector.

WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR ALL THE POSITIONS

Applicants must be fluent in English and/or French and/or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two (2) or all these languages will be an added advantage.

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

Applicants must be citizens of a COMESA Member country and aged below fifty- five (55) years at the time of submitting the application.

• Submits Telecommunications / ICT annual Work plan and budget inputs in order to gain approval for resources required to implement telecommunication work programs in line with Division mandate;
• Develops strategies and policies for the development of the information society, e-commerce, frequency spectrum management, cyber security and protection of public interest in the region;
• Develops project proposals for Telecommunication work programs implementation in order to explore potential donor funding opportunities;
• Recommends network plans required in the region to ensure the availability of an optimal and reliable inter connectivity networks in the COMESA region;
• Recommends tariff and interconnection harmonization frameworks in order to make access to ICT services affordable in the region;
• Initiates the development of rural telecommunications in order to improve access to and use of ICT in unserved areas and to disadvantaged groups;
• Provides technical support to Member States to ensure implementation and domestication of adopted policies, regulations, guidelines and standards;
• Advises and publishes technical working documents and reports in order to provide regular updates on implementation of Telecommunication work programs progress and gain feedback from management;
• Establishes linkages with other International Telecommunication Organizations and Regional Economic Communities to ensure that Telecommunications policies adopted by COMESA are aligned to continental and international best practices; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned by Executive Management from time to time.

• Telecommunications /ICT in economic development;
• Policy and Regulatory issues in the ICT sector.

• Master's Degree in either Telecommunications, ICT, Engineering or a related field;
• A Ph.D. in any of the above fields would be an added advantage.
• Membership of engineering or economic regulatory bodies or similar entities in their respective countries is desirable