Tech Policy Associate / Translator

Focus of the Role

To support our growing Tech for Development work and in particular our Tech Policy Advisory Partnership initiative in Senegal, we are currently searching for a Tech policy Associate/Translator to support the Head of Tech Senegal.  The role will involve linking up TBI’s extensive and growing Tech Policy capability to Advisory work on Tech Policy with the Senegalese Tech decision-making ecosystem.   This will involve translating Policy documents and products generated by TBI’s Tech Policy Unit into French and adapting them into actionable Advisory pieces for the Senegalese Tech eco-system – and in particular Ministere de l’economie numerique et de la telecommunications and associated Agencies.  The role will also involve monitoring and reporting on the tech sector in Senegal to feed into TBI’s Tech policy work.

Key Responsibilities

The main objective of the position is to assist in leveraging the substantial Tech Policy capability of TBI in a partnership initiative with Senegal. 

Working in the Tech Policy Advisory project team to the Head of Tech and Country Head, the Tech Policy Associate/Translator will translate policy documents  and help transform them into actionable advisory pieces; monitor and report on the Senegalese Tech scene (in particular government policy and thinking) and help the Head of Tech with presentation, reporting and administrative tasks as needed. 

Reporting to the Tech for Development Programme Manager SN, the role will involve close collaboration with TBI’s SN country team, the Central Tech for Development team and the TBI Tech Policy Unit. 

Translation

• Under the direction of the Programme Manager and Head of Tech, translate Policy papers and other products (e.g. workshop reports) from English into French and adapt them into high grade, actionale advisory pieces for the Ministry, ADIE/’SENUM’  and other TBI partners in the Tech sphere.  This could include full reports with annexes; summary Powerpoint presentation decks or summary policy papers for high level, decisional audiences

Research, analysis

• Conduct research on selected topics at the request of the Programme Manager, Head of Tech, Country Head or Central T4D or TPU teams.  The particular focus will be government policy and thinking on relevant areas of Tech policy and could include government publications, conference proceedings or policy papers. The aim is to facilitate a two way Policy dialogue and ensure TBI Tech Policy is grounded in the realities of partner governments. This will involve translation from French into English

Presentation, reporting

• Preparation of high quality powerpoint presentations, support for the Head of Tech for reporting both to government and internally within TBI about the progress and impact of our support

Person Specification

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• University level education in a relevant IT discipline. 
• Excellent written English and French with proven experience or qualification in translation.
• Studies or work experience outside Senegal demonstrating wide educational experiences and horizons an advantage.
• Work experience involving Tech, IT, Internet policy issues ideally in Anglophone as well as francophone environments.   

ESSENTIALS SKILLS:

• Proven translation skills from English into French (and ideally, vice vera). 
• An interest in and understanding of key policy questions in the field of technology and digitalisation and familiarity with the core subjects and terminology (e.g. internet policy, Cloud computing, digital ID, digitalisation of government services). 
• Mastery of IT tools (Pack Office ...); In particular ability to put together high-quality PowerPoint decks showing precision, understanding of the subject and creativity.
• Ability and confidence to deal with diverse interlocuters (TBI colleagues in Africa and London, experts and consultants, government counterparts)
• Well organised and hard working; curious and able to take initiative.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• Strong willingness to learn, great intellectual curiosity and outstanding team spirit;
• The ability to thrive in a fast "entrepreneurial" type of environment, with a focus on performance, results and accountability;
• A prior para-academic activity is strongly desired, ie belonging to a youth association, a community service, etc.
• In addition, we place a high value on appropriate personal qualities such as ingenuity, tenacity, independence, trust and integrity

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.