- About Smart Africa
Smart Africa is a bold and innovative commitment from African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through affordable access to Broadband and usage of Information and Communications Technologies.
The Transform Africa Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda on 28th-31st October 2013 culminated in the adoption of the Smart Africa Manifesto document by seven (7) African Heads of States (Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Mali, Gabon, Burkina Faso) in which they committed to provide leadership in accelerating socio-economic development through ICT’s.
On 30th-31st January 2014, The Smart Africa Manifesto was endorsed by all Heads of State and Government of the African Union at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa. This development places the Manifesto at the heart of the ICT agenda in Africa beyond just the 7 original signatories at the Summit to all the 54 African countries.
The Smart Africa Alliance has since grown to include 29 African countries that represent 600+ million people.
The Smart Africa Manifesto aims to put ICT at the Center of National Socio-economic development agenda of member countries; improve access to ICT especially Broadband; to improve accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT promoting the introduction of advanced technologies in telecommunication; to put Private Sector first; and to leverage ICT to promote sustainable development.
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- Background of the Smart City initiative
The urbanization rate of the African continent has increased from 15% to 40% between 1960 and 2010 and is expected to reach 60% in 2050. The urban population in Africa will triple over the next 50 years.
This is an unprecedented demographic boom that is accompanied by an increase in challenges for governments in terms of housing, food, access to water, transport, waste management and energy supply.
Africa must take advantage of this rapid growth of urban citizens to overcome its difficulties through better management of its cities.
Faced with these challenges of sustainable development and controlled urban growth, African countries are considering the most effective solutions adapted to the realities of the continent.
The concept of Smart City is key to better manage African cities and meet the challenges of exponential urbanization.
- Duties and Responsibilities
The Smart Africa Secretariat would like to recruit a Consultant – Project Manager (PM) in charge of the Smart Cities initiative with responsibility for management of various strategic projects, in close consultation with stakeholders and partners.
The PM will lead specific discussions revolving around Smart cities, e-Government, ICT industry development and IoT initiatives as well as other Smart Africa projects that will be assigned to him from time to time, as per the Smart Africa action plan such as supporting with preparing documents of the Smart Africa different councils (Council of African Regulators, Council of ICT Ministers, etc).
The primary duties of the position will include:
- Provide required technical leadership and administrative support to coordinate and implement project activities across Smart Africa Member States while ensuring effective linkages to the Smart Africa core objectives
- Preparing an annual work plan for submission to the head of digital transformation services;
- Design and document the organization’s evolving strategy, including produce relevant slides, presentations, and key messaging;
- Review and prepare analysis and research on the sector, using regional and global resources including academia and industry;
- Help the organization in bringing new allies and strengthening the commitment of existing partners;
- Establish close collaboration and working arrangements with an interdisciplinary team composed of experts from Governments, Private sector, Non-Government organisations and other professional associations, to ensure good coordination, collaboration and timely conduct of Smart Africa activities;
- Follow through mobilization of funds /resources from other development partners and institutions to complete the financing of the Smart Africa projects;
- Provide periodical reports on the progress of project activities and issues arising;
- Participate in regional project meetings and workshops and other activities as required.
Other duties and responsibilities will include:
- Prepare the terms of reference and identify consultants/institutions to undertake assignments in accordance with the approved annual Work Plan;
- Monitor and supervise the work of consultants, institutions, government staff and other partners, facilitate meetings and, as far as possible, ensure the timely and responsive delivery of outputs and reports;
- Provide to institutions/consultants visiting or engaged in assignments, including preparing itineraries, appointments and assisting with travel and other logistical arrangements;
- Any other assignments which will be assigned from time to time by the leadership of Smart Africa.
- Key qualifications
Education:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field with recognised at least 10 years of technical expertise.
- A Project Management Certification from a recognized International Project Management Certification Body such as the Project Management Institute (PMI).
- A Masters’ Degree in Information Technology, Telecommunications, Business in IT will be an added advantage.
General experience and skills:
- Self-starter with high degree of flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity, ability to work independently and on multiple projects simultaneously;
- Ability to effectively explain strategy and approach to external partners audiences;
- Strong management skills including ability to provide strategic guidance, technical oversight, build strong teams, mentor staff, develop work plans, and manage budgets and project expenditures;
- Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels (Ministry, development partners, private sector, NGOs and Academia);
- Experience working with in project coordination;
- Demonstrated written, analytical, presentation, reporting and computing skills and familiarity with modern communication systems (internet, worldwide web, email, etc);
- A good knowledge of matters related to ICT policy and regulation;
- Experience in creative writing;
- Ability to work in a team;
- Strong competence in the use of standard software productivity tools (such as Microsoft Office Suite or others).
Languages:
- Excellent Knowledge and Fluency in French and English.
- The good working knowledge of another language such as Portuguese or Arabic will be an advantage.
- Duration of the assignment
The duration of the assignment will be for 1 year, with a possibility of renewal, subject to availability of funds and performance appraisal.
- Reporting requirements
The PM will report directly to the Head of Digital Transformation, Innovation and Services.
- Application Procedure
- A one-page cover letter with a motivation statement in relation to the ToR;
- A CV with 3 contact information of referees;
- A brief essay of two (2) pages to the following question: What would be your approach to transform successfully African cities into Smart Cities within a short period of time (1 to 3 years) as a PM in Smart Africa Secretariat?
You will send your Curriculum Vitae, cover letter and essay in either French or English. All the above should be sent to the following email address: to hr@smartafrica.org and copy procurement@smartafrica.org not later than Monday, November 18th, 2019 at 5 pm.