Vacancy: Digital Infrastructure Specialist

Republic of Liberia Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Western African Regional Digital Integration Project – Series of Projects 2 Liberia (WARDIP SOP2-Liberia)

Project ID: P500628

Terms of Reference

For

Digital Infrastructure Specialist

Post Title:	Digital Infrastructure Specialist
Location of Post:	Monrovia, Liberia
Contract Duration:	12 months
Reporting Line:	WARDIP Liberia/PIU through the PIU Coordinator
Recruitment Type:	Local
Type of Contract	X  Individual Consultant      Consulting Firm (QCBS, CQS, LCS)      Non-Consulting Service (Competitive Bidding)

1. PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Government of Liberia (GoL) has received financing from the World Bank for the preparation of the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project – Series of Projects 2 Liberia (WARDIP SOP2-Liberia). This project, which will be implemented at the national level, seeks to facilitate increased broadband access and usage in preparation for regional digital markets integration in West Africa.

WARDIP SOP2-Liberia is the second phase of the Western Africa Regional Development Integration Program series of projects (DTfA – WARDIP), which builds consensus and momentum around the vision for achieving a Single Digital Market (SDM) in Africa. It is envisioned that the project will lead to an increased secure flow of digital services within and between participating countries in Western Africa. By the end of the SOP, foundations of a SDM in Western Africa in line with the AU SDM are expected to be in place.

WARDIP SOP2 builds on, and will run parallel to, investments in DTfA/WARDIP SOP1, further extending cross-border and backbone connectivity, data markets and online market environment in additional countries. It aims to increase broadband access and usage in participating countries and to advance the integration of digital markets in Western Africa and is structured to have 5 components.

• Component I. Connectivity Market Development and Integration: This component aims to provide infrastructure financing and support for an enhanced enabling environment to develop the regional broadband connectivity market.
• Component II: Data Market Development and Integration: This component aims to build trust in online transactions and strengthen the security and resilience of digital infrastructure and systems, focused on focuses on enabling secure, cross-border data exchange, storage, and processing to support regional access to data-driven services, innovation, and infrastructure.
• Component III. Online Market Development and Integration: This component aims to support the development of a robust regional online market, with a focus on boosting service uptake for an integrated SDM.
• Component IV. Project Management and Implementation Support. This component would provide technical assistance and capacity support for program preparation and implementation.
• Component V. Contingent Emergency Response. The component is included to help participating countries respond swiftly to eligible crises and emergencies, in case of urgent need of assistance or capacity constraints.

In view of this, the GoL, through the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MoPT) intends to set up a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) as a starting point to kick start the activities entailed in this fund and, as thus, seeks to recruit for the position of Digital Infrastructure Specialist as a main Component 1 Coordinator.

• OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of the assignment is to obtain expertise to assist the PIU in coordination of day-to-day operations to ensure the preparation and implementation of the Component 1 of the Project, in line with the objectives outlined Financing Agreement signed between IDA (World Bank) and the Government of Liberia as well as in compliance with the Project Operations Manual (POM). As part of these activities, the Digital Infrastructure Specialist shall implement the Connectivity Market Development and Integration Component, which has the following sub-components: 1) Legal, regulatory, and institutional capacity for the telecom sector and digital economy, and 2) International and national backbone network infrastructure. The Digital Infrastructure Specialist will work with the PIU and relevant stakeholders in supporting the implementation of all project activities. In particular, he/she is expected to work closely with the Government and ACE consortium members in the planning, deployment and operationalization of the envisaged second submarine cable system.

• SCOPE OF WORK

The Connectivity Specialist will be in charge of advising the Project, the Government, and other stakeholders, as well as assisting with the implementation of all connectivity-related activities under the project. Given that the second submarine cable in Liberia is a major project component, the Connectivity Specialist will be responsible for advising the project, government, and other stakeholders on all connectivity-related activities under the project, particularly those relating to submarine cable deployment and operationalization. This includes, but not limited to the following:

Technical Advisory Support

• Assess and advise the PIU on the network design and technology choices for alignment with international trends and good practices and to ensure technology improvements and current industry thought-leadership around first and middle-mile network deployment have been reflected;
• Appraise technical choices and network design for opportunities to increase the value-for-money, while ensuring quality and adherence to international standards;
• Assist with internal process management and improvements across multiple teams and functions, including planning, sourcing/procurement, engineering, operations, external vendors/suppliers of submarine cable systems, SLTEs and backhaul/IP equipment. 
• Support the procurement of goods, works and services, including drafting of tender specifications for consultants and technical assistance needs as well as evaluation of the procurement documents, in accordance with the procurement provisions applicable for the Project;
• Conduct detailed reviews of technical contract specifications and deliverables for the implementation of the sub-projects under Component 1;
• Design and oversee the sub-projects under Component 1; where needed, perform adjustments to the design based on the first sub-projects’ results and circumstances to ensure best possible outcomes;
• Support the development and update of the POM, including when modifications or supplements to them are needed;
• Liaise and coordinate with the Government agencies and private companies involved in the implementation of the Component 1 of the Project, as delegated by the Project Coordinator;
• Participate in meetings, seminars, conferences, and other events and programs organized by the Government of Liberia, the Bank, other development partners and other organizations with respect to questions that are related to the Component 1 of the Project and the wider Bank-financed program and projects.

Oversight and Supervision

• Coordinate and manage all key activities related to the Component 1 of the Project, including coordination of the activities of the selected consultants, vendors, and service providers to ensure their timely and effective delivery, in accordance with the POM;
• Contribute to the development of the Project implementation plan, regularly monitor and report to the Project Coordinator and Project on the progress and results against operating and financial objectives on Component 1;
• Monitor the execution of contracts procuring goods, works and services under Component 1 for the Project;
• Contribute to the finalization and periodic update, as necessary, of the Procurement Plan (PP) and Project Procurement Strategy Document (PPSD) of the Project;
• Cooperate with respective M&E team, as identified by MOPT, and provide required inputs to M&E related work;
• Provide inputs to the Project Coordinator on development of the reports to the Government of Liberia and the World Bank;
• Support citizen engagement and communications activities around Component 1;
• Escalates internal/external issues/concerns/risks promptly to ensure matters are addressed timely so as to not impact schedules.

• QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in law, economics, finance, ICT or related field;
• At least five (5) years post qualification experience in a related position;
• Previous experience of working in the ICT regulation and policy framework in Liberia is essential;
• Experience in a Multilateral Donor Funded Project will be an added advantage;
• Demonstrate a general working / in-depth knowledge of the Submarine Cable Systems, environment and its associated key components such as: Power Feeding Equipment (PFE); Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE); Network Protection Elements (NPE) associated to multi-formats protocol (SDH, Ethernet); and their local/remote operating and supervisory platforms,
• Technical knowledge of submarine system design including electrical, optical, and mechanical aspects of cable design coupled with an understanding of the overall system functionality and performance,
• Experience in submarine cable construction and consortium activities,
• Experience working with turnkey submarine system vendors, terminal equipment vendors,
• Proven ability to work independently and proficiently interact with multiple departments and various employees with all levels of expertise,
• Track record of delivering infrastructure and network projects,
• Experience understanding application requirements and translating needs into network capacity plans,
• Analytical and problem-solving experience with large-scale systems,
• Experience establishing work relationships across multi-disciplinary teams and multiple partners and suppliers in different time zones,
• Ability to negotiate technical elements of contracts,
• Proven ability to take the lead in and work under pressure,
• Demonstrated ability to document and articulate technical recommendations to a variety of audiences/skill levels,
• Strong Team Player,
• Strong Work Ethic.

• TERMS OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Digital Infrastructure Specialist will be appointed on a full-time basis for a period of one (1) year, renewable based on good performance.

• CONFIDENTIALITY

By accepting to take part in the invitation, the Consultant agrees to keep in confidence all information shared by the Liberian government authorities and the World Bank, whether written or oral, concerning the invitation and/or in relation to the government organizations’ business involved in this assignment which is not of public domain. The Consultant also agrees to use it only for the purposes of this activity and for no other reasons and not to disclose any of the said information to any third party.