Digital Transformation Advisor

Job Introduction

Are you excited by the prospect of transforming developing and emerging nations in Africa through the application of technology and innovations? Do you have experience of consulting or working in the digital infrastructure sector and leading teams to drive systemic and transformative change in an emerging or developing country?  Do you thrive on driving the end-to-end delivery of transformative projects?  If so, we want to hear from you.

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is scaling up its support to multiple governments in Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia to accelerate reforms and progress, through better delivery support, technology and private sector engagement. Focused on supporting TBI’s growing tech work in Malawi, the post holder will join a fast-growing team supporting the Government of Malawi to deliver its digital transformation agenda, focussing on Malawi’s national digital infrastructure.

The Tomorrow Partnership is the Tony Blair Institute’s work with political leaders and governments to bring tech and digital solutions to their biggest challenges, because we believe tomorrow will belong to those who responsibly harness the power of technology for the good of all people, and to leave no one behind.

Through The Tomorrow Partnership, we broker strategic partnerships between governments and leading tech organisations and innovators to help foster environments that enable tech to deliver practical change in people’s lives.

Working closely with the Head of Tech, as well as the Global Tomorrow Partnership team, the role will scope, develop, implement and monitor digital infrastructure initiatives as part of TBI’s holistic in-country offering, ranging from last-mile connectivity, to government digital infrastructure.  Bringing substantial sector expertise, and in line with Presidential priorities, the post-holder will help develop strong relationships with key public and private stakeholders, undertake landscape and feasibility assessments, and support the identification, development and implementation of digital infrastructure interventions.

Focussed on delivery in Malawi, the Advisor will be expected to occasionally travel in the region in support of other TBI tech advisory priorities in Southern Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Key outcomes of the assignment

• Considering issues related to connectivity and networks, data storage and computation, deliver a comprehensive assessment of Malawi’s existing digital infrastructure, and identify opportunities for improvement
• Strengthen Malawi’s digital policy and legislative frameworks, to facilitate digital infrastructure investments, and clearly map the role of relevant government agencies and their mandates with regards digital infrastructure
• Drive forward the implementation and monitoring of digital infrastructure initiatives, supporting the Government of Malawi to fully harness innovative and pragmatic technological solutions in its public service delivery
• Develop innovative partnerships with Development Finance Institutions and digital service providers to enable the roll-out of accessible and affordable digital services, country-wide
• On occasion, provide technical advisory support to other TBI projects in Southern Africa

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Working closely with the Head of Tech, the Digital Infrastructure Advisor is expected to conduct assessments of core components of Malawi’s digital infrastructure, make recommendations on areas of intervention, and provide expert input for delivery. Responsibilities will include:

• Digital Infrastructure Assessments: Assess feasibility of digital infrastructure opportunities, taking into account TBI’s tech and digitisation value proposition, considering financial models, policy frameworks, workforce skills, levels of digitisation, end-user need and potential use cases. Sustainability will need to be embedded at the core of any infrastructure initiative
• Partnership Identification: Identify private and public partnership opportunities to support digital infrastructure development. Develop relationships with key partners, with a specific focus on national and regional actors
• Initiative Proposal and Delivery Plan: Based on the identified opportunities, develop initiative delivery plans, including timelines for implementation, milestones, as well as risks and challenges to implementation
• Implementation: Provide technical expertise to digital infrastructure initiatives, advising relevant ministries and agencies on questions related to legislative and policy frameworks, international best-practice with regards design and deployment of digital and data infrastructure projects, and  required human capital development
• Reporting: Regularly inform TBI country-level and central TBI tech colleagues of progress through reporting and engagement sessions, and proactively escalate issues for further support as needed

Person Specification

The successful candidate must demonstrate a good understanding of digital infrastructure and digital transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior work with government in the region is highly desirable. Additional skills and competencies required include:

• Significant experience working directly or in-directly with governments on digital infrastructure and/or transformation projects
• Expertise in issues relating to networks, connectivity, data storage or computational requirements
• Prior experience working on digitisation programmes/projects in emerging markets, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable
• Experience working on policy reform and legislative frameworks in the digital space would be a considerable asset
• Experience of comprehensive engagement with public and private sector stakeholders to support programme delivery
• Ability to present information in a concise, insightful and structured manner, in written and oral form
• Problem-solving and analytical skills, including sound knowledge of data analysis, strategic planning, and project management practices
• Experience in analytical and research studies in the public sector, within public reforms, national and investment projects
• Experience in development and/or implementation of risk management/matrix frameworks
• Ability to coordinate with team members across multiple locations, and develop relationships with multi-disciplinary advisors
• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or equivalent STEM discipline or Digital Transformation
• High quality communication, drafting and presentational skills
• Excellent relationship building and management skills, including the ability to navigate complex political environments
• Fluency in English (oral and written)

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.