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 

4. 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.

5. Appointment – duration

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

6. Appointment – type

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

7. 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.

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 11^th, 2020.