Result of Service

The consultant will deliver a comprehensive policy review and recommendation framework to support the development of an inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready digital ecosystem in Kenya. The assignment will contribute to strengthening policy coherence and governance approaches that integrate sustainability principles across the full life cycle of ICT and digital technologies, including infrastructure development, digital platforms, data systems, energy use, digital devices, and electronic waste management.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

Three months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. This assignment is being undertaken under the Joint SDG Fund-supported DigiKen Joint Programme, implemented by UNEP, UNESCO, UNCDF, and UN Women in collaboration with the Government of Kenya (GOK), institutions and national stakeholders in Kenya. The DigiKen programme seeks to strengthen inclusive digital transformation, digital skills, innovation ecosystems, and sustainable digital development in Kenya, while ensuring that no one is left behind in the country’s digital transition. Within this context, there is a growing need to ensure that Kenya’s digital transformation agenda aligns with sustainability principles, including environmentally sustainable digitalization, green ICT practices, social inclusion, gender responsiveness, responsible innovation, economic resilience, and human rights-based approaches to digital governance. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the UNEP regional sub program coordinator for digital transformation. The incumbent will perform the following duties:

Analyze existing ICT, digital transformation, digital platform governance, and related policy and regulatory frameworks relevant to sustainable digital transformation and green technology adoption.
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of these policies and frameworks to determine their alignment with sustainability principles, including environmental sustainability, climate considerations, energy efficiency, circularity and e-waste management, human rights protection, digital inclusion, accessibility, and gender responsiveness.
Assess the extent to which existing frameworks address sustainability considerations across the life cycle of digital technologies and infrastructure, including the design, deployment, operation, use, and disposal of ICT systems and digital solutions.
Identify policy gaps, opportunities, implementation challenges, and institutional barriers within the current policy and regulatory environment, particularly in relation to sustainable digital governance, digital platform governance, responsible technology deployment, and green ICT practices.
Develop actionable policy recommendations and green technology incentive mechanisms to strengthen the integration of sustainability principles within ICT governance and digital transformation initiatives.
Propose practical measures to support environmentally sustainable, inclusive, and resilient digital transformation, including recommendations related to green digital infrastructure, sustainable procurement, innovation incentives, energy-efficient technologies, and responsible digital practices.
Deliver a validated policy review and recommendations report that will inform future policy development, strengthen Kenya’s sustainable digital governance ecosystem, and support the country’s transition towards a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable digital economy

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Public Policy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Digital Transformation, Environmental Policy, Sustainable Development, Governance, Law, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A minimum of 10 (ten) years of relevant experience in policy analysis, digital transformation, ICT governance, or sustainability-related initiatives, preferably within national, regional, or international contexts is required. Proven experience in multi-stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with government institutions, development partners, private sector, and civil society is required. Familiarity with Kenya’s digital policy landscape and global frameworks on sustainable digital transformation is highly desirable. Experience working with the UN system or international development organizations is desirable. Policy and regulatory frameworks review, gap analyses, and actionable policy recommendations development, particularly in areas related to digital platforms, environmental sustainability, and governance is required. Integrating sustainability, human rights, and gender-responsive principles into policy and programme design is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this assignment, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

ICT Policy and Sustainable Digital Transformation Consultant