Project Support Assistant-smart Women and Girls in ICT at Smart Africa Secretariat: (Deadline 19 January 2025)

Project Support Assistant-smart Women and Girls in ICT at Smart Africa Secretariat: (Deadline 19 January 2025)

Terms of Reference Recruitment

• Position: Project Support Assistant-Smart Women and Girls in ICT
• Duration: Fixed Term for Six (6) Months
• Location: Kigali, Rwanda
• Deadline: January 19^th, 2025, at 11:00 PM Kigali (GMT+2)

About Smart Africa

Africa is reshaping its narrative from one of poverty to progress, showcasing impressive economic growth, technological innovation, and a young population. Nevertheless, digital transformation faces obstacles such as limited access, insufficient investments, and a digital divide, which also offer opportunities for growth through better accessibility, efficiency, and job creation.

Smart Africa is an alliance of 40 African countries, international organisations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda. The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of ICTs.

With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market. Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 39 member countries, representing over 1 billion people and over 50 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.

Smart Africa aims to put ICT at the Center of the National Socio-economic development agenda of member countries, improve access to ICT, especially Broadband, improve accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT. It promotes the introduction of advanced technologies in telecommunication while putting the Private Sector first and leveraging ICT to promote sustainable development. Visit https://smartafrica.org/ for more information about Smart Africa

II. Project Background

Beginning 2016, Smart Africa embarked on a journey to identify innovative approaches to connecting girls and women to technology through several multistakeholder consultations. During Transform Africa Summit 2017, the declaration and concept note for the Africa Smart Women and Girls Initiative was endorsed, putting ICT at the centre of women and girls’ empowerment interventions for the betterment of the African continent.

The Africa Smart Women and Girls in ICT Initiative is a dynamic platform to accelerate governments’ efforts in developing strategies to support women and girls in the digital ecosystem. The Initiative is anchored on three (3) main pillars – access to technology, digital skills development, and women in STEM/ICTs implemented through three (3) main intervention pathways – policies, outreaches, and progress tracking.

These efforts will ensure that women actively participate and meaningfully engage in the digital economy with equal and equitable access, the relevant digital skills, and adequate support to thrive in ICT and STEAM-related careers and entrepreneurial activities.

III. Scope of the Work

The Project Support Assistant (Inclusive Technology Access) for the Smart Women and Girls in ICT Initiative will need the following skills:

1. STEM/ICT Background: You have a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) background and you are aware of the gender dynamics in STEM/ICT and their implications on policy and socio-economic aspirations of countries. You are familiar with the digital gender divide and how this gap can be addressed through technology access, digital & data literacy, STEM careers and promotion of STEM/ICT related entrepreneurship for women and girls.
2. Inclusive Technology Access experience: You are acquainted with access to technology interventions including efforts to expand internet coverage in remote and marginalised communities. You have participated in initiatives addressing technology coverage and/or usage gaps at the community or national level. You have experience implementing projects to promote safe, secure, and equitable access to the internet.
3. Project management experience:You will often work on projects with other team members, such as project managers, unit managers and division managers. Project management skills will help you organize and prioritize your work, set deadlines, and track the

IV. Work Assignment and Overview

• Serve as the Project Support Assistant– Inclusive Technology Accessfor the Smart Women and Girls in ICT Initiative.
• Support the implementation of the access to technology activities of the Smart Women and Girls in ICT project in liaison with the inclusive connectivity and internet governance teams within Smart Africa.
• Assist in the design and implementation of STEM/ICT Skills development programs for women and girls across the skills spectrum in collaboration with the Smart Africa Digital Academy.
• Support the coordination of mentorship, technical and policy exchange programs for women policy makers, women and girls in STEM/ICT including women in cybersecurity and women in internet governance.
• Organise high level policy events, consultative workshops or technical events that promote pro-women policies and programs.
• Develop programs that support women and girls’ online safety and engagement.

Other duties and responsibilities will include:

• Support the preparation of terms of reference of consultants/institutions that will undertake assignments in accordance with the approved annual Work Plan.
• Draft proposals, concept notes, reports, presentations and meeting minutes for activities related to the role.
• Provide support to institutions/consultants visiting or engaged in assignments, including preparing itineraries, appointments and assisting with travel and other logistical arrangements.
• Any other assignments or projects, which will be assigned from time to time by the leadership of Smart Africa.

V. Position requirements

A.  Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Electronic Engineering or a related Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM/ICT) degree.

B. Experience

• At least one (1) year work experience in a technology access/digital inclusion role.
• Proven experience supporting inclusive connectivity initiatives.
• Proven ability to convene stakeholders and platforms for engagement and coordinate programs and events.
• Experience with STEM/ICT capacity and skills development programs.

C. Knowledge/Skills required

• Knowledge of the African digital inclusion and technology access ecosystem.
• Familiarity with current initiatives and programs to support women and girls in STEM/ICT.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Organizational skills & basic project management skills.
• Fluency in either English or French. Fluency in both is an added advantage.
• Self-starter, flexible and can work independently.

D. Duration of the Assignment

The appointment will be for Six (6) months subject to probationary period and performance and extendable (renewable) as necessary to reflect ultimate completion date of the project and subject to availability of funds.

E. Reporting

The Project Support Assistant– Inclusive Technology Access will report to the Project Manager in charge of the Smart Women and Girls in ICT of the Smart Africa Secretariat.

F. Location

Kigali, Rwanda.

G. Application Instructions

• A one-page cover letter with a motivation statement in relation to the ToRs.
• A CV with 2 contact information of referees.
• Send applications to [email protected] with “PSA-Inclusive Technology Access “in the subject line.
• Deadline for submission of applications is January 19^th, 2025, at 11:00 PM Kigali (GMT+2)