This job listing has expired and may no longer be relevant!
3 Dec 2020

Digital Innovations Ecosystem Expert at Rwanda Information Society Autority (RISA)

Never Miss a Job Update Again. Click Here to Subscribe


Job Description


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 

Job Profiles for the Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project

S/N

Job title

Job profile (Needed Qualifications, Skills and Experience)

Duties and Responsibilities

Number of Positions

11

Digital Innovations Ecosystem Expert

Selection Criteria:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Innovation or equivalent, with a minimum 10 years of relevant work experience; or
  • Master’s Degree (preferred) in Business Administration, Finance, Innovation, or equivalent, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience.
  • Experience in management consulting, venture capital private equity, business development, tech strategy/operations function or similar preferred, and 1+ years of leadership experience;

Technical competencies:

  • Demonstrate a combination of consulting and operating experience;
  • Must have experience working on start-up and innovation ecosystem development in mature or emerging ecosystems;
  • Experience working on large strategic initiatives from framing the problem, conducting research/analysis, building business cases and operational plans, and driving execution through to success;
  • Strong partner mobilization working with diverse actors including government, development partners, philanthropic organization;

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

  1. Act as primary technical advisor, lead, and program manager for all digital Innovations Ecosystem related aspects
  2. 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;
  3. 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;
  4. Stay abreast of emerging digital innovations ecosystem 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;
  5. Support the M&E Specialist on the technical elements of M&E framework design
  6. Work with Cybersecurity specialist to ensure that cybersecurity considerations are integrated, as part of related said standards;
  7. Lead ad-hoc site-visits to review progress, flagging issues and suggesting solutions, to ensure maximum and intended impact.
  8. Provide strategic analysis on the business case and impact potential and lead an analytical approach to identify, inform and incubate new initiatives to improve the success and growth rate of digitally enabled start-ups in Rwanda;
  9. Identify sector-specific enabling support to create an enabling environment and a soft-landing for private-sector-led technology innovations in key priority sectors/verticals;
  10. Coordinate with other experts in the Digital Rwanda project to identify areas of synergy to drive private sector innovation and entrepreneurship; Strengthen project management and coordination of joint ICT sector innovation projects across Kigali Innovation City, Rwanda Information Society Authority, Ministry of ICT & Innovation, National Council of Science & Technology and other relevant institutions/regulators;
  11. Identify areas for capacity building to enhance the innovative capacity of the public and private sector including knowledge sharing across key persons driving innovation agenda across the Government Provide agile support with ad hoc projects

Reporting:

The Digital Innovation Ecosystem Expert will report to the SPIU Coordinator

Deliverables:

  • Support procurement and delivery of PPA activities linked to digital (Within the first three months of contract signature)
  • Progress report (monthly)

01

  1. 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.

  1. Appointment – duration

The appointment will be on a contract basis of 1 Year renewable based on need, performance, and funds availability.

  1. Appointment – type

If not otherwise stated, contracting is expected to be full time.

  1. 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.

 





Method of Application

Interested experts should apply online ([email protected]) 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.





Dont Miss Latest Jobs In Rwanda. Subscribe Today. CLICK HERE




Apply for this Job