British High Commission Digital Access Programme Officer HEO Jobs in South Africa

British High Commission Digital Access Programme Officer HEO Jobs in South Africa

Main purpose of job:

Many countries, including middle-income countries still face considerable challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, high and persistent inequality (including gender inequality) and digital exclusion, which can lower long-term growth prospects.

Access to the internet is a powerful catalyst to prosperity, reducing poverty and building inclusion – with a 10% increase in internet access linked to 3% growth in GDP, and a range of social and economic benefits.

A key UK priority is to facilitate wider and more affordable, safer and more secure digital access for excluded and underserved populations, harnessing the power of digital inclusion and transformation to tackle poverty, build prosperity and enable millions of people - especially socio-economically disadvantaged populations - to benefit from digital services and opportunities.

The British High Commission in South Africa delivers a portfolio of activities to support the broad-based and inclusive growth needed for poverty reduction. Our strategic priorities within the Economic Growth team include supporting trade and investment, improving business environment and economic reform, driving productivity in key sectors through education, employment and skills development, improving digital access, support for entrepreneurship and MSMEs and sustainable urban development.

Digital Access programme: The Digital Access Programme (DAP) aims to address the fundamental constraints to digital inclusion through a multi-pillar cross-government structure. This role will focus on the delivery of the ‘Models and Enablers’ pillar, which is the lead component (Pillar 1) of this centrally-managed multi-country FCDO-DSIT partnership.

This pillar focusses on testing and validating innovative, sustainable and scalable models for affordable connectivity, and on promoting digital skills, locally-relevant digital content and digital services for excluded or underserved communities; this is supported by key enablers of digital inclusion such as improving the relevant policy and regulatory environment, and enhancing the capacity of key institutions.

This role will also support the co-ordination and coherence of the Digital Access Programme across the British High Commission, working closely with Cyber and UK-South Africa Tech Hub colleagues (as Pillar 2 and Pillar 3 of the DAP), and liaising with the DAP central teams in London.

Role and Responsibilities:

The Digital Access Programme Officer will support the design, implementation and management of the programme in South Africa - working with the team at post and with the cross-departmental programme team in the UK. The role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to advancing the UK-South Africa relationship on digital inclusion for development and prosperity at a time when these issues are of increasing importance on the international agenda.

Digital Access Programme Management (Pillar One ‘Models and Enablers’)

Under the supervision of the Digital and Skills strategic lead, manage activities of the Digital Access Programme’s pillar one ‘Models and Enablers’ in South Africa as delivered by the BHC and/or implementing partners, in coordination with DAP central teams. This will require an ability to apply programme management, financial management, procurement, coordination, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills.

The post holder will build relationships with the implementing partners to ensure delivery is monitored in coordination with the DAP central team. This will include pre-empting risks and ensuring that programme activities deliver the expected outcomes.

Support day-to-day coordination with the other pillars of the DAP programme including pillar 2: Cyber-security capacity building and Pillar 3: UK South Africa Tech hub - to facilitate alignment with the other parts of the Programme, design and deliver cross-pillar projects where relevant, support joint implementation of the DAP’s Country Level Implementation Plan (covering the three pillars).

The post holder will act as focal point for internal and external communication on programme activities in South Africa, ensuring the Programme’s visibility is properly managed.

The post holder will support the implementation the Programme’s communications strategy as approved by the Programme’s governance structure. The post holder will also support the organisation and delivery of key visits, related to the implementation and promotion of the relevant projects under DAP.

The jobholder will support and contribute towards the relevant programme governance and coordination mechanisms, e.g. by working as part of the broader South Africa Economic Growth Team and with the DAP central team (Programme Management Committee), to ensure programme delivery is coherent with broader objectives.

The post-holder will be expected to regularly join key meetings and to provide regular updates on the programme’s progress.

Digital Access Policy

Work across British High Commission to help develop, own and promote a collective narrative on UK support to Digital Access and its role in driving productivity in key sectors in South Africa.

Monitor and report on South Africa's digital landscape including the emerging trends and developments in South Africa's approach to driving economic recovery and growth through these areas. This would include developing and reporting on the priority initiatives being led by the Government of South Africa including the Department for Communications and ICASA.

Proactively develop, manage and strengthen UK-SA digital contacts through effective stakeholder engagement, under the guidance of the relevant senior leads in BHC.

Help to influence key decision making at national and sub-national government, in civil society and private sector- in support of the policy objectives in the area. This will involve building relationships that help to drive forward UK and SA priorities for digital access, driving policy shifts through engagement and leveraging the programme and our wider levers to enhance progress.

Support the British High Commission as a credible voice on digital development priorities and as necessary contribute towards briefings, presentations, reporting and communications.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Undergraduate qualification in one of the following fields: ICT policy and regulation, public policy, social studies and/or development studies, business studies or related field

Professional experience in at least one of the following areas will be desirable: Digital access (innovative models for inclusive connectivity, digital skills and content development), telecommunications and digital/ICT

Understanding of digital policy issues in South Africa

Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship skills

Experience of supporting the day-to-day administration and delivery of large and/or complex projects and programmes, with a good eye for detail

Experience of developing and executing programme/project implementation plans

Experience of applying project coordination, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills

Supporting the commissioning of work packages or procuring delivery through external implementing partners and contract management

Team player, driven by values

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Knowledge and understanding of the digital for development agenda

Experience of working in an international development context, including managing/working with development programmes, including in South Africa

Experience of working in or with government in South Africa

Experience of working in the private sector or organised civil society in relevant fields (e.g. use of digital and cybersecurity for development)

Experience at policy, regulatory as well as field level will be considered relevant

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; British High Commission Digital Access Programme Officer HEO Jobs in South Africa

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