Giga Programme Officer - Development Finance

ITU • Geneva, IL

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The Giga Programme Officer - Development Finance role is within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies. The ITU's mission is to connect the world by managing the global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in developing countries, and establishing global standards. This specific role is part of the Giga initiative, a joint ITU and UNICEF program aimed at connecting every school to the internet and providing digital access to young people. The Giga initiative focuses on mapping schools, modeling optimal connectivity infrastructure, financing connectivity projects, and establishing contracts based on best practices. The Finance Pillar within Giga, where this role sits, provides technical expertise and advocacy for digital infrastructure financing. The Programme Officer will lead the implementation of ITU's activities under this pillar, coordinating the Digital Infrastructure Investment Catalyser, a multi-stakeholder platform focused on closing the digital infrastructure investment gap. The role involves advancing training and capacity-building, coordinating events, and providing technical input to multilateral dialogues. The overall objective is to position ITU and Giga as key enablers of digital infrastructure investments and to support Giga countries in financing their school connectivity projects. The position requires management responsibilities and technical knowledge in digital infrastructure and development finance.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Finance, Investments, Business Science, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics or a related field. 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.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in project management, international development, finance, business analysis or a related field, including at least two years at the international level.
• A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience.
• Experience working with development finance institutions (global, regional, national) on digital infrastructure development, and on sovereign projects in particular.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with school connectivity projects is a plus.
• 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 for promotion or rotation purposes.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Successfully manage ITU’s leadership in the Digital Infrastructure Investment Catalyser, strengthening its role as a platform to accelerate digital infrastructure investments that advance the missions of ITU and Giga to connect every community and citizen to the internet.
• Strategically identify and pursue the development, collection, and/or dissemination of different data sets, investment planning tools, and specific templates designed to facilitate greater investment in digital infrastructure (e.g., subsea cables, towers, satellites, mobile/cellular, last mile and school connectivity).
• Collaborate with Catalyser co-leads and working group organizations to strengthen the capacity of both policymakers and investors on the topics of investment policies and innovative finance.
• Facilitate investment-matchmaking events and follow-up activities in support of financing digital infrastructure investment projects in low- and lower-middle income countries.
• Develop a platform for systematically collecting, sharing, and advancing investment needs and opportunities – including school connectivity projects – within the Catalyser and among its participating MDBs, DFIs, and other investors.
• Initiate, establish, and coordinate partnerships and resource mobilization efforts with MDBs and other partners in specific areas of the investment process, including but not limited to project origination, feasibility, due diligence, and implementation.
• Design an ongoing digital infrastructure investment transaction platform, building upon ongoing engagements with MDBs to systematically support digital infrastructure investments that can advance universal connectivity through best-in-class technical support, leveraging ITU’s unique capabilities.
• Manage and supervise reporting staff and consultants to advance the Catalyser and its lines of effort, ensuring timely delivery of outputs that can demonstrably accelerate digital infrastructure investments.
• Lead ITU’s activities under the Giga Finance Pillar and in the context of ITU's broader digital infrastructure investment agenda.
• Provide technical feedback and input on training courses and support the development of other capacity building initiatives, specific – but not limited to – government stakeholders.
• Represent ITU’s Giga Finance Pillar in various forums to showcase how Giga supports country governments to develop and implement sustainable school connectivity financing approaches.
• Provide advice on the development of finance products that empower Giga countries to design and implement robust and sustainable connectivity solutions.
• As part of the Digital Infrastructure Investment Catalyser, identify, structure, and facilitate the financing of school connectivity projects together with MDBs and leveraging private sector contributions to the maximum extent possible.
• Monitor developments in investment and financing trends for digital connectivity and undertake analyses to support Giga and ITU teams in assessing proposals for project financing and strengthening Giga's capacity in innovative financing.
• Coordinate with the UNICEF Giga Finance Pillar on activities to ensure coordination, alignment, and support for Giga countries.
• Research investors and international organizations – with a focus on the finance sector in Switzerland – to identify potential Giga and ITU partners; build and maintain a database of relevant contacts and explore resource mobilization opportunities.
• Strengthen ITU and Giga's role and position within the UN’s Financing for Development process, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and other key dialogues to advance policy, advocacy, and financing for digital infrastructure investments.
• Represent ITU and Giga in relevant working groups and high-level forums and events, as well as contribute to reports, policy briefs, and other publications, as relevant.
• Coordinate and facilitate events alongside key UN and other multilateral or industry convenings to elevate the work of ITU’s digital infrastructure investment agenda.
• Coordinate and contribute to all key interactions and activities related to digital infrastructure investment with all relevant internal ITU colleagues across the General Secretariat and the ITU Bureaux, as well as external stakeholders such as the private sector, investors, the development finance community, and other UN organizations in the context of advancing ITU and Giga’s development finance agenda.
• Perform any other duties within his/her field of competence as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• 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 $ 71,335 + post adjustment $ 64,558
• Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level