Cybersecurity Consultant

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.

Cybersecurity Consultant

Vacancy notice no: 1650
Sector: BDT
Department: DDR
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based

Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: 85 days- From 1 August 2024 to 31 October 2025
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 24 June 2024

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)
• Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS)
• Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE)
• Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)

The Office of the Deputy to the Director and Operations Coordination Department are responsible for ensuring operation readiness and providing support for the functioning of the regional offices and headquarters in Geneva, especially the implementation of projects and programmes. Functional areas, such as meetings, fellowship and IT support reports to this Department. The unit for special attention in all aspects related to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDs is the responsibility of this Department. The Deputy to the Director is responsible for assisting and advising the Director in the direction and management of the Bureau including on all questions related to personnel, financial and operational planning process. The Department is responsible for leading the operational planning and implementation support, within the framework of the Action Plan. The Department is also responsible for coordinating conferences and events, editorial works and documentation control, monitoring the implementation of decisions emanating from ITU and BDT governing bodies, including TDAG, Council, Conferences and Assemblies of the other Sectors on matters of relevance to BDT. The Department is responsible for coordination of the Bureaus cooperation with other Sectors and General Secretariat.

Cybersecurity has been a growing concern in the Pacific Region as countries have accelerated their digital transformation journeys with increased international connectivity, lessons learnt from COVID-19 and the increased use of digital services. Driven by cybersecurity risks and incidents, countries in the Pacific have undertaken initiatives such as developing cybersecurity legislation, policies and strategies (e.g. Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, Vanuatu), setting up Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERT) (e.g. Tonga), building capacity, raising awareness (e.g. Samoa) and international cooperation.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as the specialized agency of the United Nations for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), has been supporting its Member States through its Cybersecurity Programme. In assessments undertaken as part of the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020 (on cybersecurity commitment by countries in 2020), the relevant needs and challenges associated with the countries in the Pacific subregion (and particularly the Pacific Islands) were mapped and identified. The need to accelerate the subregion’s development of national cybersecurity strategies, while building operational capacity in line with relevant global and regional standards and best practices continues to be a priority.
Additionally, the objective of Asia-Pacific Regional Initiative 5 (ASP RI 5) is “to assist Member States in developing and maintaining secure, trusted and resilient networks and services, and to address challenges related to climate change and the management of global pandemics and disasters.” The Asia-Pacific Regional Initiative 1 (ASP RI 1) is also relevant, as it is focused on “addressing special needs of least developed countries, small island developing states, including Pacific Island countries, and landlocked developing countries.”
In this light, ITU is implementing an extrabudgetary project called Pathways to Cybersecurity in Pacific, which aims to build and enhance cybersecurity capacities through the development of a certified cybersecurity capacity building programme for entry-level professionals in Pacific Island Member States seeking cybersecurity related professional opportunities, and further support the creation of internship and professional opportunities in the field of cybersecurity.
This project consists of three phases:

• Phase 1: Basic Understanding of Cybersecurity (Pre-Training).
• Phase 2: Certified Cybersecurity Capacity Building Programme.
• Phase 3: Work Experience Placement and Cybersecurity Community Creation.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication (Government of Japan) and ITU’s ICT Development Fund.

The consultant will:

• Coordinate with ITU and project partners to design training curriculum and program for Phase 1 online pre-training and Phase 2 physical training considering ITU’s pre-existing cybersecurity training materials, including from ITU Academy as well as the ITU self-paced trainings on National Cybersecurity Strategy and Child Online Protection.
• Design and deliver ITU modules for Phase 1 online pre-training, together with project partners.
• Design and deliver ITU modules for Phase 2 physical training, together with project partners.
• Identify potential internship partners in the Pacific Islands for the Pathways to Cybersecurity in Pacific cohort for Phase 3.
• Design and implement Phase 3 cohort engagement strategy with project partners, incorporating an online platform/network.
• Monitor cohort progress in Phase 3 internship/work experience.

• Inception report (10 days)
• Training curriculum and program for Phase 1 and Phase 2 trainings (30 days)
• Phase 1 modules delivered by ITU (5 days)
• Phase 2 modules delivered by ITU (10 days)
• Phase 3 cohort engagement strategy and identified internship/work placement partners (15 days)
• Final report (15 days)

In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience on designing and delivering technical cybersecurity trainings for a target audience.

Knowledge of the cybersecurity workforce in the Pacific.

Education: University degree in telecommunication, computer science, information technology or relevant field such as engineering. An advanced degree would be an advantage.

Experience: At least three (3) years of experience in the field relevant to the Special Service Agreement (SSA).
Experience working in the Pacific subregion on designing and/or delivering cybersecurity trainings is an advantage.

Languages: Knowledge of English at advanced level. Knowledge of a local official language used in the Pacific Islands is desirable.

USD 230 per working day.

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 Careers 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.