JOB DESCRIPTION

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 – Resource Mobilisation Consultant

Vacancy notice no: 2203

Sector: BDT

Department: DKS

Country of contract: Remote

Duty station: Home Based

Position number: [[positionNumber]]

Grade: [[PositionGrade]]

Type of contract: Consultant

Duration of contract: Various Assignments

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 Knowledge Society Department (DKS) provides expertise in the areas of Regulatory and Market environments, promoting experiences sharing and collaboration. It also has the responsibility for the international statistics standards for telecommunication/ICT indicators and compiles and disseminates valuable ICT Statistics which provide the basis for sound public policy decisions. This Department promotes innovation culture and projects to the Member States. The DKS Department leads and coordinates innovation throughout the BDT. This Department also ensures the active participation of youth and the need to guaranteeing accessibility and inclusion for all and promoting reinforcement for gender issues.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

As part of BDT’s implementation strategy, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development offers a forward-looking approach to bridging the digital innovation divide. It supports ITU-D membership in overcoming barriers to digital transformation, unlocking digital potential, strengthening local capabilities in innovation and entrepreneurship, and accelerating ecosystem impact across sectors to foster inclusive and sustainable societies.
Through the Alliance, transformational projects are enabled at national, regional, and global levels, advancing digital innovation and entrepreneurship. As countries worldwide pursue digital transformation, ITU members require new, accelerated approaches to address regional development priorities.
In this context, the Regional Initiative Accelerator (RI Accelerator) provides an open and collaborative platform where stakeholders co-create and refine concepts to accelerate progress. It is a key service of the Digital Transformation Lab, which operates under the broader Alliance for Digital Development. The RI Accelerator encourages stakeholders to apply innovative methods and thinking to drive forward regional initiatives effectively and efficiently.
The RI Accelerator serves as a mechanism grounded in the innovative processes, tools, and frameworks developed under the Digital Transformation Lab. It provides a structured and dynamic approach to support the implementation of ITU regional initiatives by: Kick-starting ideation and definition of regional initiatives and project concepts based on stakeholder engagement and supporting the definition and implementation of critical milestones of ITU regional initiatives.
This vacancy aims to establish an ITU roster of consultants for ITU regions specialising in resource mobilisation, with proven experience in mobilising and managing resources and partnerships. Selected consultants will be expected to apply the RI Accelerator methodology to advance the design and implementation of regional initiatives.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the guidance of the Head of Digital Innovation Service of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, the consultant will:

• Conduct targeted research and analysis to identify relevant funding opportunities aligned with ITU’s Regional Initiatives and ecosystem priorities, including both traditional and innovative financing mechanisms.
• Support the development and execution of resource mobilisation strategies using ITU’s Regional Initiative Accelerator (RI Accelerator) methodology, contributing to the co-design of actionable and fundable project concepts.
• Engage with stakeholders across public, private, and development sectors to map potential partners, understand funding landscapes, and catalyse interest in supporting regional initiative implementation.
• Coordinate closely with ITU’s Innovation team and the Regional Offices to co-develop partnership proposals, concept notes, donor outreach plans, and other resource mobilisation materials, ensuring alignment with ITU formats and quality standards.
• Facilitate regional dialogues both virtually or in-person aimed at convening potential partners and funders to support the implementation of regional initiatives.
• Provide technical input on partnership models, cost-sharing frameworks, and sustainability approaches that strengthen the long-term viability of ITU-led initiatives.
• Engage regularly with the ITU teams to provide updates, incorporate feedback, and ensure output remains relevant to evolving strategic priorities, national needs, and stakeholder interests.
• Contribute to the refinement and application of ITU’s resource mobilisation processes, tools, and templates under the Regional Initiative Accelerator and the Digital Transformation Lab.

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

• Submission of monthly reports detailing progress on deliverables as stated in the ToRs, and key milestones achieved.
• Delivery of a comprehensive Implementation Validation Tracker which tracks implementation progress of activities and hypothesis established to execute the model.
• Provision of drafted and submitted funding proposals, partnership briefs, and/or concept notes tailored to identified resource mobilisation opportunities to activate the initiatives.

Specific deliverables will be defined according to the terms of reference (ToRs) to be established for each specific requirement and may vary depending on the context and priorities of the project and programme.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to research, analyse, and synthesise data on national, regional, and global funding trends, donor priorities, and financing mechanisms relevant to digital transformation and innovation ecosystems.
• Proven ability to identify, engage, and sustain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including public institutions, development agencies, private sector actors, and philanthropic organisations.
• Strong capacity to develop high-quality funding proposals, partnership briefs, and investment concept notes tailored to the interests and requirements of potential donors and partners.
• Ability to align resource mobilisation strategies and funding proposals with national priorities, ITU Regional Initiatives, and broader development frameworks such as the SDGs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues, pitch ideas, and build consensus around shared goals and investment opportunities.
• Ability to develop and maintain tracking tools such as implementation validation trackers, partner engagement logs, and fundraising progress dashboards.
• Proficiency in using digital collaboration tools, including virtual whiteboards such as Miro, to co-create documents and engage stakeholders across geographies.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in international development, economics, public policy, business administration, finance, communications, or a related field OR education from 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.

Experience:

At least ten (10) years of experience in leading or contributing to project management, resource mobilisation, partnership management, research studies or related initiatives.
Experience in designing fundable programmes and initiatives, including the definition of outputs, outcomes, budgets, and implementation frameworks to attract partner interest.

Languages:

Knowledge of English at advanced level.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

Between USD 230 and USD 430 per working day to be defined according to the work experience of the consultant and the complexity of the assignment.

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.