Job Description

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.

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.

Giga Programme Officer - Development Finance

Vacancy notice no: 2316
Sector: SG
Department:
Country of contract: Switzerland
Duty station: Geneva

Position number: PROJ-5123
Grade: P3
Type of contract: Fixed-term
Duration of contract: 12 months
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 21 May 2026

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The General Secretariat directs administrative, human and financial resources and activities of the Union, including the implementation of the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions, the dissemination of information on telecommunication/ICT matters for operational and other purposes, and the provision of legal advice to the whole of the Union. The General Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the Strategic Plan, monitors the telecommunication/ICT environment and recommends as needed action relating to the Union’s future policies and strategy. The General Secretariat ensures inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation to advance a whole of ITU approach (One-ITU) in headquarters and the field. The General Secretariat provides logistical and information technology support to the Union’s activities including conferences and global forums; the coordination of the work of the Union with the United Nations system, and other international organizations; and the engagement of the Member States, Sector Members, and Academia. The General Secretariat manages corporate governance, and strategic communications and relations with the media, different stakeholder groups as well as the general public.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Giga is a global ITU and UNICEF initiative that seeks to support countries to connect every school to the internet, and every young person to information, opportunity, and choice. It also serves as a platform to create the infrastructure necessary to provide digital connectivity to an entire country, for every community, and for every citizen ( www.giga.global).
Giga has four core areas of work:

• Map previously unmapped schools, and monitor connectivity in real-time using open-source AI/ML.
• Model with the government the optimal connectivity infrastructure configuration to connect the schools, identifying the enabling policy & regulation levers, and developing connectivity cost models.
• Finance of connectivity projects using the most capital efficient solutions available.
• Establish contract based on best practices for public procurement and delivery tools.

Under the Finance Pillar within Giga, ITU provides technical expertise and global advocacy to support the design and scaling of digital infrastructure-specific financing processes and instruments. It works with multilateral development banks (MBDs) and other key stakeholders to advance technical exchanges and collaboration, while building a global repository of innovative financing solutions and resources for advancing digital infrastructure investments. ITU is also advancing work under the Giga Finance Pillar through global platforms such as the G20 and the Financing for Development process to secure high-level policy commitments and financing support.

This position will be responsible for leading the implementation of all ITU activities under Giga’s Finance Pillar. This includes coordinating the Digital Infrastructure Investment Catalyser, a multistakeholder collaboration platform aimed at advancing the tools, skills, and capital deployment required to close the global digital infrastructure investment gap and enable Giga’s mission of building the connectivity infrastructure to connect every community and every school to the internet. The Catalyser is co-led by ITU, UNCTAD and eight MDBs, with a working group of over 50 organizations spanning the public, private, and multilateral sectors. Additional responsibilities of the Programme Officer include advancing Giga’s finance-related training and capacity - building efforts, coordinating convenings and events, and providing technical input and support to various multilateral dialogues and platforms. The overall objective of the role is to position ITU and Giga as key enablers and coordinators to advance digital infrastructure investments and to support Giga countries in financing their school connectivity projects. The role requires management responsibilities as well as technical knowledge of digital infrastructure and development finance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will report to the Senior Advisor, Strategic Engagement and Initiatives in the General Secretariat and coordinate closely with the General Secretariat Giga Programme Manager, other ITU Bureaux, ITU Regional Offices, and the UNICEF Giga team. He/she will:

• Successfully manage ITU’s leadership in the Digital Infrastructure Investment Catalyser, strengthening its role as a platform to accelerate digital infrastructure investments that advance the missions of ITU and Giga to connect every community and citizen to the internet.
  
  • Strategically identify and pursue the development, collection, and/or dissemination of different data sets, investment planning tools, and specific templates designed to facilitate greater investment in digital infrastructure (e.g., subsea cables, towers, satellites, mobile/cellular, last mile and school connectivity).
  • Collaborate with Catalyser co-leads and working group organizations to strengthen the capacity of both policymakers and investors on the topics of investment policies and innovative finance.
  • Facilitate investment-matchmaking events and follow-up activities in support of financing digital infrastructure investment projects in low- and lower-middle income countries.
  • Develop a platform for systematically collecting, sharing, and advancing investment needs and opportunities – including school connectivity projects – within the Catalyser and among its participating MDBs, DFIs, and other investors.
  • Initiate, establish, and coordinate partnerships and resource mobilization efforts with MDBs and other partners in specific areas of the investment process, including but not limited to project origination, feasibility, due diligence, and implementation.
  • Design an ongoing digital infrastructure investment transaction platform, building upon ongoing engagements with MDBs to systematically support digital infrastructure investments that can advance universal connectivity through best-in-class technical support, leveraging ITU’s unique capabilities.
  • Manage and supervise reporting staff and consultants to advance the Catalyser and its lines of effort, ensuring timely delivery of outputs that can demonstrably accelerate digital infrastructure investments.
• Lead ITU’s activities under the Giga Finance Pillar and in the context of ITU's broader digital infrastructure investment agenda:
  
  • Provide technical feedback and input on training courses and support the development of other capacity building initiatives, specific – but not limited to – government stakeholders.
  • Represent ITU’s Giga Finance Pillar in various forums to showcase how Giga supports country governments to develop and implement sustainable school connectivity financing approaches.
  • Provide advice on the development of finance products that empower Giga countries to design and implement robust and sustainable connectivity solutions.
  • As part of the Digital Infrastructure Investment Catalyser, identify, structure, and facilitate the financing of school connectivity projects together with MDBs and leveraging private sector contributions to the maximum extent possible.
  • Monitor developments in investment and financing trends for digital connectivity and undertake analyses to support Giga and ITU teams in assessing proposals for project financing and strengthening Giga's capacity in innovative financing.
  • Coordinate with the UNICEF Giga Finance Pillar on activities to ensure coordination, alignment, and support for Giga countries.
  • Research investors and international organizations – with a focus on the finance sector in Switzerland – to identify potential Giga and ITU partners; build and maintain a database of relevant contacts and explore resource mobilization opportunities.

• Strengthen ITU and Giga's role and position within the UN’s Financing for Development process, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and other key dialogues to advance policy, advocacy, and financing for digital infrastructure investments.
  • Represent ITU and Giga in relevant working groups and high-level forums and events, as well as contribute to reports, policy briefs, and other publications, as relevant.
  • Coordinate and facilitate events alongside key UN and other multilateral or industry convenings to elevate the work of ITU’s digital infrastructure investment agenda.
• Coordinate and contribute to all key interactions and activities related to digital infrastructure investment with all relevant internal ITU colleagues across the General Secretariat and the ITU Bureaux, as well as external stakeholders such as the private sector, investors, the development finance community, and other UN organizations in the context of advancing ITU and Giga’s development finance agenda.
• Perform any other duties within his/her field of competence as may be assigned by the supervisor.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

Analysis, Judgement and Decision MakingClient and Service OrientationInnovation and Facilitating ChangeLeadershipNetworking and Building PartnershipsPlanning and OrganisingSuccessful Management

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Understanding of trends in the digital infrastructure sector.
• Ability to conduct a variety of financial and business case analyses for digital infrastructure projects and to advise on financing school connectivity projects in low- and lower-middle income countries.
• Working knowledge of various sector financing and business/operating models, including structuring and understanding different types of infrastructure financing.
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and innovatively about the role of digital technologies in socio-economic development and transformation across other economic sectors.
• Event management skills.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in Finance, Investments, Business Science, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics or a related field. OR education from a reputed college of advanced education, with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of a university degree in one of the fields above.
For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above, in combination with seven years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes.

Experience:

At least five years of progressively responsible experience in project management, international development, finance, business analysis or a related field, including at least two years at the international level. A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience.
Experience working with development finance institutions (global, regional, national) on digital infrastructure development, and on sovereign projects in particular. Familiarity with school connectivity projects is a plus.

Languages:

Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration.)

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Salary:
Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment (PA) (cost of living allowance). The PA is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.
Annual salary from $ 71,335 + post adjustment $ 64,558
Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment, please refer to: What We Offer

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.