Project Officer

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.

Project Officer

Vacancy notice no: 2201

Sector: BDT

Department: Regional Offices

Country of contract: Brazil

Duty station: Brasilia

Position number: PROJ-5118

Grade: P3

Type of contract: Fixed-term

Duration of contract: 12 months

Recruitment open to: External

Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 8 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 regional offices provide assistance to the ITU Member States of the Region, ensuring a close relationship and collaboration. To implement the agreed programs and projects, in accordance with the ITU Strategy Plan and the BDT Action Plan, with the active support of all Departments, providing timely information about their development. To provide proper line management and support, the Regional Directors report to the Director of the BDT.

Organizational context

The Project Officer position is part of the Regulatory Innovation Project for Central America and the Dominican Republic (Project No. 9RCA24005) under the supervision of the ITU Regional Office in Brasília and in coordination with the Regulatory & Market Environment Division (RME) within the Digital Knowledge Society Department at BDT.

Under the direction of the Regional Director, the incumbent will coordinate actions with the Project Manager and work closely with national regulatory authorities, project stakeholders, consultants, and technical experts to ensure the effective implementation of project activities.

The purpose of the position is to support the operational and technical execution of the project, coordinate activities at national and regional levels, facilitate stakeholder collaboration, and ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of project outputs.

The position does not entail direct supervisory responsibilities but acts as the focal point for coordinating project consultants and, when required, serves as Acting Project Manager to lead technical and operational implementation of the project.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will:

• Support project implementation at national and regional levels, ensuring that activities are delivered in line a with approved work plans, budgets, and objectives.
• Facilitate engagement and collaboration with national regulatory authorities, institutional counterparts, and project stakeholders to advance innovative regulatory mechanisms.
• Contribute to the planning, organization, and delivery of missions, technical assistance activities, workshops, seminars, and other project-related events.
• Prepare and review project documentation, including technical inputs, background documents, draft progress and financial reports, donor deliverables, speeches, presentations, and other materials required for internal and external reporting.
• Monitor and report on project performance, including progress toward indicators, identification of implementation challenges, and support to risk mitigation measures.
• Contribute to the development and updating of project planning tools, including work plans, results frameworks, and performance indicators (KPIs).
• Coordinate with consultants and technical experts, acting as a focal point to ensure effective collaboration, knowledge exchange, and timely delivery of outputs.
• Provide backup support to the Project Manager, as required, to ensure continuity of technical and operational execution.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

Analysis, Judgement and Decision Making

Client and Service Orientation

Innovation and Facilitating Change

Networking and Building Partnerships

Planning and Organising

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Proven project coordination and management skills, including activity planning, budgeting, stakeholder engagement, data management, monitoring and performance evaluation.
• Strong writing skills in preparing policy briefs, reports, and presentations.
• Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior policymakers, including ministers, senior civil
  
  society leaders, and directors of telecommunications regulatory authorities.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside ITU.
• Familiarity with international development cooperation, donor reporting requirements, and results-based management.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in telecommunications/ICT, economics, Engineering, international development, Social Sciences, law, public policy, or a related field OR education in a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the fields above.

For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with seven years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree of promotion or rotation purposed.

Experience:

At least five years of progressively responsible experience in project coordination or management in the field of ICT, regulation, or international development, including at least two at the international level.

A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience.

Experience in managing regional or multi-country initiatives is desirable.

Experience in supporting high-level dialogue processes and multistakeholder initiatives.

Prior work with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset.

Experience in regulatory reform, digital policy, or institutional development is considered a strong advantage.

Languages:

Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment (PA) (cost of living allowance). The PA is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.

Annual salary from $ 70,212 + post adjustment $ 21,134

Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment, please refer to: What we offer

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The incumbent may be requested to travel to the project's beneficiary countries.

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 - - 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.

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