Result of Service

Objective 1: Conduct a comprehensive review of ICT and digital transformation policies and frameworks relevant to sustainable digital transformation in Kenya. Outputs:

A comprehensive policy review report analysing existing ICT, digital transformation, digital platform governance, and related sustainability policy frameworks in Kenya.
Mapping of relevant national, regional, and international frameworks related to sustainability principles, digital governance, and inclusion
Identification of key policy provisions relevant to sustainability principles within ICT governance.
Documentation of key findings from desk reviews consultations. Objective 2: Assess the alignment of existing digital transformation policies and frameworks with sustainability principles, including environmental responsibility, human rights, and gender responsiveness. Outputs:
A detailed gap analysis assessing alignment of existing frameworks with sustainability principles and global best practices.
Assessment of policy coherence relating to digital platform governance, energy efficiency, green ICT adoption, digital inclusion, and protection of human rights.
Identification of policy gaps, implementation challenges, risks, and opportunities within the current digital governance ecosystem.
Recommendations on areas requiring policy strengthening, harmonization, or reform. Objective 3: Develop actionable policy recommendations and green technology incentive mechanisms to support sustainable and inclusive digital transformation. Outputs:
A policy recommendations report outlining practical and actionable measures to strengthen sustainable digital transformation frameworks in Kenya.
Proposed green technology incentive mechanisms, including subsidies, innovation financing, energy efficiency standards, and sustainability-focused regulatory approaches.
Recommendations for integrating sustainability principles into digital transformation initiatives and digital platform governance.
Strategic recommendations for strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration and implementation mechanisms. Objective 4: Finalize the policy review and recommendations framework. Outputs:
A finalized policy review and recommendations report incorporating all outcomes.
A final consultancy report summarizing the methodology, findings, recommendations, and proposed next steps for implementation.

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. The rapid growth of digital technologies, platforms, and data-driven systems in Kenya is transforming economic, social, environmental, and governance processes. Digital transformation continues to create significant opportunities for innovation, service delivery, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, education, environmental management, and public sector modernization. However, the pace of digitalization has not been fully matched with robust policy and regulatory frameworks that adequately address sustainability, inclusivity, environmental responsibility, and the protection of human rights. At the same time, the expansion of digital infrastructure and technologies is contributing to emerging sustainability challenges across the full life cycle of ICT systems and digital technologies. These include increasing energy consumption from digital infrastructure and data systems, growing electronic waste streams, unsustainable consumption and disposal of digital devices, environmental impacts associated with digital infrastructure development, and widening digital inequalities affecting vulnerable and underserved populations. There is also growing recognition of the need to strengthen governance approaches related to digital platforms, responsible technology deployment, data governance, accessibility, gender equality, and digital inclusion. 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 consultant 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

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Policy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Digital Transformation, Environmental Policy, Sustainable Development, Governance, Law, or a related field. 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 8 (eight) 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. 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. 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. 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