Regional Anglophone Digital ID Advisor

Focus of the Role

Do you have experience working in the tech field on programmes that drive systemic and transformative change in the digital ID space?  Are you excited by opportunities to work directly with governments to create impact at scale? If yes, then we are looking for you! 

TBI is looking to hire an exceptional advisor with experience and expertise across technology, government advisory and, specifically, digital ID implementation(s). This will be a key role, requiring a strong candidate with relevant expertise in project management, tech and knowledge of and experience in digital ID ecosystems.

The Institute has recently launched a landmark initiative to be delivered in 30 countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia aiming to transform developing and emerging nations through the application of sustainable scaled technology and innovations across public services, food systems and healthcare.

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.

Governments within our countries of scope recognize the role of digital technologies to propel growth, diversify, and deliver government services more efficiently. TBI has agreed to offer advisory support to our counterparts in government with an aim to enhance the robustness, inclusiveness and utility of their digital ID ecosystems. Key focus areas include: optimising National ID ecosystems and exploring the necessary governance structures required to enable this optimisation.

The role will be based in Accra, Ghana or Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel across the continent.   Candidates with desire to be based in Nairobi must have the right to work in Kenya.

The role has an initial 1-year term with the potential extension.

Please note : The location will be Accra, with relocation available OR Nairobi, with right to work in Nairobi (no relocation package)

Key Responsibilities

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The advisor is expected to assess key elements of the existing Digital Identity ecosystem and make recommendations for TBI to consider when providing advisory support to governments in Anglophone African countries within our portfolio. Key responsibilities include:

• Assessment of Current Identification landscape: Conducting SWOT analyses of existing Foundational and Functional ID registries, their current uptake and demand/supply barriers to overcome; current players in the sector and their corresponding tech/innovation strategies
• Digital ID ecosystem scoping: identifying opportunities for optimising national ID systems through strategy alignment and harmonisation of Foundational and Functional ID platforms
• Cross-Government coordination and alignment around a common vision and mission which has the respective countries’ Digital ID ecosystem at its core
• Designing a roadmap for achieving interoperability between potential functional registries / public bodies with the national ID registry within these countries
• Articulating the value of a proposed solution to government and end-users and any gaps that TBI could offer unique value in helping to address
• Analysis of fiscal requirements set by the government, development partners, and any other stakeholders, and identify gaps between funding sources and required outputs
• Assessment of legislative / policy frameworks in place or required to support good practice in data governance
• Evaluation of skills and human capital requirements by the government and relevant partners to meet the agreed roadmap objectives and timelines
• Supporting additional tech partnerships, if deemed necessary, to address gaps in existing processes
• Evaluation of potential business models to make the ecosystem self-sustainable (relevant to each country’s context)
• Provision of likely timelines for achieving mandate, procurement and deployment

Definition of potential impact and success indicators (human development, economic, catalytic/transformational effects on nation’s development path etc.

• Closely working with the Head of Digital ID and other Digital ID Advisors (regional or in-country) to ensure alignment and sharing of insights.

Person Specification

The successful candidate must demonstrate a good understanding of the ICT ecosystem and tech and digital space, as well as general Governments’ machinery across Africa. Prior work with Government is highly desirable. Additional skills and competencies required include:

• Experience in business operations, Digital ID, technology implementation, consulting or advisory functions
• Experience in an Advisory role preferred, including experience in Digital ID implementations at a national or regional level
• Familiarity with the political and economic ecosystem of the ICT sector and experience working with key (public and/or private sector) stakeholders in the tech and digital space in government; prior experience working on programmes/projects in emerging markets, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable
• Experience carrying out information systems assessments and providing technical recommendations
• Demonstrable experience and ability to work (and deliver impact) in complex and uncertain political environments
• Experience in assessing data governance approaches and proposing meaningful recommendations;
• Problem-solving and analytical skills, including sound knowledge of data analysis, strategic planning, and project management practices
• Ability to present information in a concise, insightful and structured manner, written and oral
• Experience in analytical and research studies in the state sector, within public reforms, national and investment projects
• Experience in development and/or implementation of risk management/matrix frameworks
• High quality communication, drafting and presentational skills
• Excellent in building and managing effective relationships including the ability to navigate complex political environments
• Fluency 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.