Telecom

Office of the Deputy Minister for Technical Services

The office of the Deputy Minister assists the Minister in formulating policy on the ICT and telecommunications sector. The office works with diverse stakeholders both in the public and private sectors as well as civil society actors in establishing shared national perspectives on cross-cutting policy issues. It also works with development partners such as the World Bank, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other institutions to address policy priorities. It is also responsible for coordinating with sector players such as the Liberian Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and service providers to implement national policy objectives. The role of the ministry in the development of the sector, as outlined in the National ICT & Telecommunications policy, the National Telecommunications Acts, and other related instruments that are geared towards facilitating the provision of services, falls under the office of the Deputy Minister. Essentially, the office of the Deputy Minister ensures that all ICT and telecommunications programs adopted by ITU and other such bodies of which Liberia is a member are domesticated to meet national objectives

Office of the Assistant Minister for Telecommunications

The office of the Assistant Minister for Telecommunications has the core task of identifying new ICT and Telecommunications policy options, reviewing existing policy issues, and advancing initiatives that will accelerate the fulfillment of sector objectives. The Assistant Minister participates in and reviews the work of relevant ICT and telecommunications organizations, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), to ensure that Liberia’s programs are consistent with global policy trends. The Assistant Minister advances proposals to the Deputy Minister for Technical Services in setting the policy agenda, which ensures that the potential of ICTs is harnessed and applied towards greater sector development. The Assistant Minister runs the day–to–day affairs of the Department and also helps the Deputy Minister for Technical Services to mentor staff at the Department. The Office of the Assistant Minister for Telecommunications supervises the two divisions, namely, the Division of Telecommunications / Technical Services and the Division of Universal Access / ICT for Development that constitute the Department.

PROFILE
Nicholas N. Johnson is a professional Liberian with a wealth of experience in the public sector of Liberia. Growing from the position of Staff Analyst at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Johnson served two separate Ministers at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications between the periods of 2011-2018. He later joined the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in 2018 as Deputy Advisor for Program and Policy. Currently, he is the Assistant Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Essentially, Mr. Johnson has led key development projects while serving in these positions in government, to include: Interim Coordinator for the World Bank/Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Project-Liberia (SOP2), the Liberia Business Registry Project (Coordinator and Secretary to the Joint Steering Committee),supported the Liberia Standard Laboratory (Standards Lab) establishment, facilitated the decentralization of postal services around the country and developed a database for inbound and outbound mail-able items. Mr. Johnson also led the negotiations on the WB/WARDIP-Liberia Initiative, the accession of Liberia into the Africa Solidarity Fund (ASF), a financial institution involved with the provision of guarantees to banks, the Liberia Digital Land Information Management System Project (as liaison between GoL and Medici Land Governance (MLG)), and GoL Focal Point on the SEZ and SAPZ implementation, amongst others. His knowledge in International Business has not been fully utilized; however, his contribution to the policy advisory note on SEZ implementation in Liberia speaks volumes about his passion for an improved policy environment for businesses. He served as the Coordinator of the Liberia Business Climate Working Group Secretariat, an established Joint Steering Committee providing governance on reforms geared towards improving the trade environment of Liberia. Mr. Johnson served as Liberia’s permanent representative to the Technical Commission on Administration and Finance (He headed the Liberian delegation two times at TCAF meetings at the Mano River Union). While as an educator, Mr. Johnson served as an Instructor and Chairman of the Economics Department of the 1st Assembly of God High School, Carey and Buchanan Streets, Monrovia, Liberia, and Teacher Assistant (TA) in the Department of Economics at the University of Liberia.

EDUCATION
Master in International Business (MIB)
Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics
People’s Republic of China
2015 – 2017
GPA-91.2. Monitor of the Class (Class President)
Awards: Winner of the 2016 debate competition. Honors: Distinction in
International Business.
Certificate/Trade Facilitation
Remin University of China-Beijing
People’s Republic of China
2010
-Delivered the message on behalf of the African Officials attending the
course at the opening ceremony along with the “Under Secretary
General of the United Nations for underdeveloped and Landlocked
Countries”.
Certificate/Strategies in Local Economic Development,
International Training Center (ITC), Turin-Italy
2009
-Under the auspices of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and
Ministry of Labor.
Bachelor’s Degree in Economics (B.SC)
1999 – 2006
Graduated with a 3.25 GPA, Certificate of Honor-2000, Honor Society of
Liberia.
Student Activities

• Chairman of the Vacation School Committee (Senior Class
  Leadership).
• Secretary/Interim-ship Committee, Economics Student Association (ESA) Professional Training/Representation
• 2023: Attended the ECOWAS Ministerial Meeting in Sierra Leone to review and validate the feasibility study for the Development of the Amilcar Cabral Submarine Cable Deployment in Liberia.
• 2023: Attended the African Solidarity Fund Executive Director’s Board Meeting as Liberia’s observer in Niger. My participation and contribution to the discussion placed Liberia on the agenda for membership.
• 2023: Represented the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning at the “Recent Economic Situation and Forecasts in English-speaking ECOWAS Countries”. This event occurred at a critical time when the Covid 19 virus negatively impacted macroeconomic performance globally. Under the sponsorship of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the event took place in Banjul, The Gambia.
• 2021: Led the Liberian Delegation to the Mano River Union (MRU) “Technical Committee on Administration and Finance (TCAF) meeting held in Freetown, Sierra Leone
• 2019: Led the Liberian Delegation to the Mano River Union (MRU) “Technical Committee on Administration and Finance (TCAF)” meeting held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
• 2011: Attended the Seminar on Regional Postal Regulations, Cotonou, Benin.
• 2011: Attended the Seminar on Aid for Trade, Abuja, Nigeria. 2009: Coordinated the study Tour on Business Registry Operations-Oslo, Norway
• 2008: Attended the World Trade Organization (WTO) Regional Seminar on Rules-Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations-Port-Louis, Mauritius
• 2008: Attended the ECOWAS Trade Negotiations and Capacity Building Workshop held under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce and Trade in collaboration with ECOWAS.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Assistant/Acting Deputy Minister for Technical Services
Department of Technical Services
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
2024-Current
-Supervise the technical units of the Department of Technical Services
(Bureau of ICT and Universal Access and Bureau of
Telecommunications).

• Coordinate the development of national policy and framework documents for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector of Liberia.
• Serve as Interim Coordinator for the West African Regional Digital Integration Project-Phase II for Liberia/World Bank sponsorship
• Serve as Liberia’s Focal Point for the development of a regional e- Government Strategy for ECOWAS.
• Coordinate the activities of the Project Management Office (PMO) and the Chief Information Officer Unit with the Department of Technical Services
• Provide technical recommendations on digital expansion and adaptation of new technologies.
• Coordinate key projects in the Department of Technical Services
  Key deliverables:
  Led the negotiations with the World Bank to secure US$50m for the implementation of WARDIP-Liberia. Coordinated the development of the ICT sector input into the National Development Plan-ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. Coordinated the development of the Ministry’s annual deliverable for 2024 and monitored the achievements of each performance target. Represented the Ministry at the Forum on China-Africa Digital Cooperation in Beijing, China, from July 29-30, 2024. Accompany the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications at the GITEX Morocco Summit 2024 & 2025. Developed the Ministry’s annual report for 2024, outlining the accomplishments, challenges, prospects and key recommendations.
  Deputy Advisor for Program and Policy
  Office of the Minister
  Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
  2018–2023
• Coordinated program design and implementation with donors/partners (USAID-LEPDA, AFDB-Mahindra, IMF, World Bank, IFC, MLG, etc.)
• Provided support to existing programs and/or projects on behalf of the Minister
• Reviewed existing policy challenges and developed policy advisory notes to inform policy directives.
• Served as liaison between the Office of the Minister and other Departments of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
• Served as the Liberian Representative to the Technical Commission for Administration and Finance (TCAF) of the Mano River Union (MRU).
• Serve as the Coordinator of the Business Climate Working Group-Secretariat. 4
• Led negotiations for LLiberia’smembership to the Africa Solidarity Fund (ASF), an organization championing the participation of the private sector in African countries’ growth dynamics through the provision of guarantees for development and business initiatives on behalf of Governments.
• Acted in the capacity of Principal Advisor for Program and Policy due to the departure of the Principal Advisor for Program and Policy from 2021 to 2023.
  Key deliverables:
• Worked with the USAID/LEPDA project to roll out activities for the Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority (LSEZA) implementation. Coordinated the Liberia Land Management Information System (LMIS) pilot project with Medici Land Governance (MLG) and Liberia Land Authority (LLA). Represented MFDP during the development and review of the National Digital Economy Policy Development and the Land Rights Regulation. Coordinated the IMF-ECF program in concert with the MEFP agreed to by both parties under the program (2020-Current). Developed the Business Climate Log-frame to meet the structural Benchmark under the IMF/ECF program. Established the BCWG-S Unit at MFDP with support from WB/LIFT-P. Developed the Domestic Resource Mobilization Advisory Note on proposed flat-rate real estate tax implementation. Coordinated the fiscal dashboard for the Minister of Finance from 2018 to 2020 to enhance fiscal discipline, etc.) Drafted the Minister’s position on climate change discussions during the African Development Bank (AFDB) annual meetings from 2022 to 2023. Attended the 2023 World Bank/International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings held in Marrakesh, Morocco. Serving as the Executive Director for Liberia on the Africa Solidarity Fund Board of Executive Directors.
  Technical Advisor/Special Assistant to the Minister
  Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
  2012–2018
• Served as the focal point for the Ministry on two National Development Plans (Agenda for Transformation and Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development).
• Developed the technical report on the WB-sponsored Universal Access Feasibility Study in Ghana that led to the Universal Access Implementation Unit at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).
• Coordinated the expansion of postal facilities in rural Liberia under the supervision of the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications –to date, postal facilities are in 12 out of 15 counties.
• Negotiated the integration of Western Union and MoneyGram into the postal system and facilitated the complementary partnership initiative with DHL to convey the Ministry’s international mail, while we convey DHL mail in other parts of the country.
• Reviewed all postal-related policies and regulations for technical advice and/or preparation for onward transmission to the cabinet/President.
• Served as principal speech writer and/or researcher for the Minister
  between 2011-2017 -Coordinated the development of the 2017-18 turnover note for the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications during the transition.
• Provided technical advice on allowance distribution in line with the CSA mandate, which gave heads of institutions the privilege to make appropriations based on performance. 5
• Led the team of Liberia ICT sector stakeholders to South Korea to explore potential public-private partnership opportunities in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
• Served as focal point in the Office of the Minister on the USAID/Gems E-government Initiative at the Ministry.
• By 2018, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning requested the transfer of my expertise to his office. Director of Planning, Research, Statistics and Documentation, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, 2011–2012-Developed the ICT Sector strategic plan for the period of five years (2012-2017) in consultation with Libtelco and Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) under the Agenda for Transformation (AFT).
• Designed a standardized statistical reporting template on inbound and outbound mail-able items for the Division of Planning, Research, Statistics, and Documentation.
• Updated Liberia’s mail statistics in the Universal Postal Union (UPU) statistics book for countries between the period 2011-2012, after a long absence.
• Restructured the Division of Planning, Research, Statistics, and Documentation organigram for efficiency. Developed a concept note on streets mail box initiative to enhance visibility of the postal services in communities, and planted over 30 mailboxes in and around Monrovia. Staff Analyst-Office of the Assistant Minister for Commerce and Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry 2008-2010 -Coordinated the reform agenda on starting a business indicator in Liberia, and successfully implemented an automated business registration process that reduced the number of days to register a business from 99days to 48 hours (this project led to the establishment and operationalization of the Liberia Business Registry (LBR)).
• Served as Secretary to the Joint Steering Committee on the LBR Project and coordinated the study tour to Norway for familiarization with business registry operations.
• Coordinated reports consolidation in the Bureau of Commerce and Trade for informed policy and/or regulatory decisions.
• Served as Co-Chairman/Liberia Coordinating Committee on enhancing Domestic Production and Export Expansion through market access.
• Led the structural reform that reduced the number of signatures on the Import Permit Declaration (IPD) from four (4) to two (2). This effort improved the turnaround time for importers.
  Staff Analyst-Office of the Assistant Minister for Industry
  Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  2007-2008
  Served as statistician on the pilot project that identified the number of Liberian-owned businesses against foreign-owned businesses (the statistical report authenticated the dominance of foreign-owned businesses in the Liberian economy, thus facilitating the strengthening of the Liberianization Law, setting aside businesses for only Liberians).
  -Served as “facilitator” on the Small and Medium Enterprises perspective during the drafting of the new labor code (Labor Growth Nexus Workshop).
  -Served as International Trade Centre (ITC) focal point for “Entrepreneurship Development” and supported the ITC project on Chili Pepper production for export under the ITC export diversification initiative.
  -Served as the Secretary to the Minimum Wage Board appointed by President Sirleaf in 2006. Chairman of Economics Department/1st Assemblies of God High Sch. 2001-2007
  -Prepared senior students for West African Examinations in the area of Economics
• Developed teaching materials in Economics for the Senior High School
  Division as depicted by the secondary school curriculum of the Ministry
  of Education, Republic of Liberia.
• Influenced the career path of several young students based on my
  method of teaching and principles.
• Cultivated academic tolerance among students
  
  • SKILLS
    Coordinate
    Analytical
    Eloquence
    Writing
    Negotiations