INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems. ITU also organizes global Telecom events bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the private sector to exchange ideas and knowledge for the benefit of all.
Roster - Circular Economy Consultant - Africa Region
Vacancy notice no: 1950
Sector: BDT
Department: DNE
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based
Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: To Be Determined
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 31 December 2025
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is responsible for the organization and coordination of the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector of the Union. BDT deals mainly with development policies, strategies, programming, projects, as well as technical cooperation activities to enable and foster universal access to affordable, high-quality and secure telecommunications/ICTs and Foster equitable and inclusive use of telecommunications/ICTs to empower people and societies for sustainable development. To effectively and efficiently serve the needs of Member States, BDT is organized into four functional areas:
- Operations Coordination Department (Office of the Deputy to the Director) (DDR)
- Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS)
- Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE)
- Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)
The Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE) is responsible to assist the Member States, especially the G77 countries, in a wide range of ICT development challenges, as basic connectivity, spectrum management, evolution of current to future broadband networks and technologies, enabling universal and affordable access, and strengthening the security through the cybersecurity support. In addition, the DNE Department provides expertise and needed support for emergency telecommunications and the increasingly important and urgent aspects related to the environment and climate change.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Climate Change and Emergency Telecommunications Division is establishing a roster of consultants to support the successful implementation of its circular economy and e-waste projects in ITU’s Africa region. These projects will provide technical expertise to ITU member states in Africa, aiding in the development and implementation of e-waste regulatory frameworks and promoting the principles of a circular economy and extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the electronics sector. Future projects will build on the portfolio of services provided by ITU over the past five years and will be tailored to advancements made in the field of circular economy (i.e. right to repair, circular procurement, etc.). Beneficiaries of past and ongoing technical assistance in the region include Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, and Zambia.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Under the guidance of the Circular Economy Coordinator of the Climate Change and Emergency Telecommunications Division, the consultant will contribute to the BDT’s efforts on circular economy and e-waste by contributing to ongoing activities and providing assistance for related projects.
In particular, the consultant will:
- Organize and lead workshops with stakeholders to draft, review, and validate policies related to e-waste, EPR, right to repair, and the circular economy.
- Arrange and lead meetings and briefing sessions with senior management from relevant authorities and ministries to provide with presentations and discuss latest regulatory updates, proposed systems, financial aspects, and project progress.
- Develop and finalize draft regulatory documents, ensuring they’re ready for stakeholder review and mapping out administrative procedures.
- Organize and facilitate technical sessions to define administrative processes, cost impacts, human resources needs, and necessary system changes, engaging stakeholders for detailed input.
- Conduct studies on the costs of e-waste management, examining technical, financial, and framework aspects, and collaborating with stakeholders to determine who is funding e-waste management.
- Lead preparation of technical content for online learning provided through the ITU Academy.
- Support onboarding meetings for new project focal points and facilitate steering meetings among core project teams. Assist with organization of meetings with other authorities as needed.
- Participate in regular online meetings with project teams and government representatives to monitor project progress.
- Prepare mission reports for any travel related to contract deliverables and provide detailed summaries of workshops.
CONCRETE DELIVERABLES
The consultant will support BDT’s efforts on circular economy and e-waste by delivering the following:
- Organization and delivery of in-person, hybrid, and/or online sessions, employing a consultative and participatory approach.
- Draft and definition of strategies, policies, or regulatory documents focusing on e-waste management, Ex-tended Producer Responsibility (EPR), or circular economy-related policies and legal frameworks.
- Draft of technical guidelines to facilitate the implementation of regulatory instruments related to e-waste, EPR, and related topics.
- Financial analysis addressing the cost of e-waste management, financial flows, and the potential fees or tariffs to be set within a specific country.
- Compilation of the materials and delivery of contents for online learning through the ITU Academy.
- Reports for missions conducted under the contract’s activities.
COMPETENCIES
- Advanced knowledge of core principles of e-waste management, including monitoring and enforcement, financing mechanisms, awareness-raising, and EPR.
- Strong knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of various e-waste value chain actors, such as producers, recyclers, consumers, and government bodies.
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver engaging and consultative workshops and stakeholder consultations on e-waste management or broader e-waste management topics.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education: University degree in environmental science, monitoring and assessment or a related field such as environmental engineering, OR education from a reputed college of advanced education, with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of a university degree in one of the fields above. A master’s degree would be an advantage.
Technical background in e-waste, the circular economy, international environmental law, climate change, pollution, environmental social governance (ESG) or any other relevant field would be an advantage.
Experience: At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience with specialization in the environmental field such as e-waste management, or an equivalent level of education and specialization in a relevant field, including at least three at the international level. A doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience.
Proven experience collaborating with stakeholders from local and national governments, as well as international entities, particularly in the areas of environment and telecommunications.
Languages: Knowledge of English at advanced level. Knowledge of a second official language of the Union at intermediate level would be an advantage. Depending on the location where the contract would apply, knowledge of local languages would be an advantage.
REMUNERATION INFORMATION
Daily Fee: From 185 USD to 360 USD per working day to be defined according to the work experience of the consultant.
INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU career website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.
