Project Coordinator in the Digital Sector in the Framework of the D4D Hub Asia Pacific

Mission description

Under the supervision of the Unit Director, the Project Coordinator is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the project “FEXTE D4D Hub” in Asia-Pacific.

The Project Coordinator is based in Hanoï or Bangkok. She/he will work regularly with the support of the regional teams and align with AFD, DG INTPA and the D4D Hub branch coordinator for Asia-Pacific (APAC), as being in regular contact with AFDs’ Project Managers.

She/he will need to be able to travel regularly in Pacific Asia, Central Asia and South-East Asia to meet with stakeholders, coordinate studies, organize workshops and contribute to the smooth running of the project. The position implies a high degree of autonomy, particularly in the field of digital and climate, and interpersonal skills appropriate to working in an international and multicultural environment.

She/he will be in charge of the global supervision of the project, consisting in the main activities described below:

Overall project management

Supervise the international project activities: planning, implementation, budget execution, monitoring/evaluation, audit, in coordination with the D4D Hub branch coordinator for Asia-Pacific.
Ensure harmonized execution and reporting procedures for all activities, set the framework and propose shared tools and procedures.
Consolidate the planning of activities and resources, and the annual budget of all activities.
Ensure compliance with the specifications/contract, anticipate and manage risks and developments relating to the project and alert his or her hierarchy if necessary.
Oversee the writing and transmission of contractual reports to the donors (narrative and financial).
Organise and co-chair the project’s Steering Committees.

Recruitment of consultants in charge of the studies

Elaborate the Term of References for the studies around the 3 main areas of the project: climate and digital, connectivity, e-government.
Recruit and manage the consultants in charge of the studies.
Coordinate the studies with AFD project managers.

Organization of Workshops

Operationalize the APAC branch of the D4D by raising awareness among public and private stakeholders about digital tools, stakes and risks to mitigate in the three main areas of the project.
Facilitate knowledge exchange and best practice sharing through workshops.
Sensitize public authorities and private actors to ongoing dynamics related in the digital sector.
Make the link between workshops and conducted studies to identify new opportunity areas.
Communicate on the workshops.

Identify opportunities for Investment and technical assistance for AFD Group

Identify opportunities for investment and technical assistance in the region through proofs of concept and use case studies.
Support the Groupe AFD's future activities pipeline and provide insights for the operationalization of the APAC branch of the Digital 4 Development (D4D) program.
Develop approaches and roadmaps for targeted public authorities on strategies in the scope of the project (aka e-gov, smart cities or other relevant subjects).

Internal and External Project Coordination

Establish and maintain coordination and follow-up with AFD projects managers and EF HQ.
Establish and maintain coordination between country teams to ensure harmonized implementation of activities.
Coordinate with European implementing agencies and other stakeholders.
Centralize and disseminate project information to relevant parties.
Engage with the European Union and keep DG INTPA informed about key developments and issues.
Cultivate relations with external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and service providers.
Participate in promotional activities with studies and workshops stakeholders, donors, and beneficiaries.
Represent AFD Group in the various bodies involved in project monitoring.

Project or context description

Expertise France is the French public international cooperation agency. It designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action.

Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), the FEXTE D4D Hub focuses on projects related to Digital& Climate, Connectivity and e-Government in Pacific Asia and aims to contribute significantly to the region's sustainable development and address pressing environmental challenges through digital tools. The project is closely linked to the Digital 4 Development (D4D) program initiated by the European Union. The initiative seeks to leverage digital technology and innovation to foster economic growth, social progress, and climate resilience in partner countries.

Expertise France leads the implementation of the project, bringing together a team of experts and stakeholders dedicated to driving positive change. The project's core objective is to prepare potential investment and technical assistance opportunities in the region through workshops and studies around three areas:

1. Digital and Climate: supporting environmental regulation issues in the digital sector and related public policies to reduce the sector’s environmental footprint, promote energy efficiency for digital infrastructures (in particular datacenters), leveraging geospatial data for various uses (biodiversity monitoring, fisheries surveillance, oceans monitoring, etc.) , developing AI tools for climate issues, , preventing natural disasters via digital tools, etc.

2. Connectivity: in relation with the EU Global Gateway strategy, supporting the development of broadband connectivity, submarines cables (including smart-cables)

3. E-government: National and Local-level e-gov projects including infrastructure and services integration, data approach, cybersecurity issues.

The project aims to conduct studies to showcase the feasibility and viability of specific digital technologies, particularly on climate-related tools, and approaches. The overall objective is to provide valuable insights to the AFD Group and the Digital 4 Development (D4D) program, paving the way for future operationalization and investments in the digital sector in the Pacific Asia branch.

Workshops with public and private stakeholders will be conducted to sensitize them about the benefits and potential of digital technology in addressing climate-related challenges, along with connectivity and sovereignty issues. Best practices sharing, capacity building, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange are key to the success of the project.

Required profile

A university degree in digital technology (telecommunication, ICT).
Good knowledge of subjects related to the impacts of the digital sector on climate change is a strong asset.
A minimum of 10-years professional experience, including 7 in the digital field.
Proficiency in English is required, French is desirable, Russian or an Asian language is a strong asset

Specific knowledge, experience, skills or competences

Good knowledge of cooperation mechanisms and public development assistance.
Excellent command of the fundamentals of the project cycle (preferably also in multi-country, and/or multi-operator projects).
Proficiency in developing technical, narrative and progress reports.
Scientific/research background and knowledge of foresight methodologies are strong advantages.

Soft skills

(Multicultural) teamwork and adaptability.
Sense of diplomacy, empathy and conflict management skills.
Sense of responsibility, initiative and reactivity.
Result-oriented.
Sense of organisation, thoroughness and proactivity.
Excellent communication skills.
Additional information

WHAT WE OFFER

An exciting job in an international environment.
A local contract for a term of 18 months, renewable, based in Hanoï or Bangkok, with field visits in countries of the action (possibly Balkans, Cambodia, Pacific Islands…).
A salary package that comprises the monthly gross salary, social security and union dues, in accordance with our salary scales. The exact salary will be defined according to relevant recognised experience for the function.

Deadline for application: 2023/09/30.