A. Background
GIZ – German International Cooperation Agency – supports the German Government in achieving its goals in international cooperation for sustainable development.
About the GovStack Initiative
Citizen services and public administration processes generate considerable administrative workload – for citizens and governments alike. As a result, public administrations are often inefficient, inadequate and user-unfriendly. In addition, technical and bureaucratic silos make coordination difficult leading to fragmented solutions that cannot be scaled. The digitalization of administrative processes promises smoother operations and greater efficiency in the structures of public institutions in partner countries. However, a lack of capacity and resources also often prevents the development, implementation and maintenance of digital government services.
Against this backdrop, the GovStack Initiative seeks to provide national governments access to a platform encompassing a catalog of solutions for digital government services. The project also aims at building the know-how of selected partner countries, among them Kenya, to develop scalable digital government services themselves, as well as the necessary accompanying institutional processes and capacities. One focus of the initiative is hereby the development of the most important ICT building blocks to enable the setup of digital government services. ICT building blocks describe technology components that provide basic functions that can be used in multiple software applications and systems. Specific examples are digital payments, online registers or messaging services. The ICT building blocks will form the baseline for the solution
catalogue of the model platform.
About the GovStack Activities in Kenya
In addition to the GovStack Kenya flagship, the DTC implements the Digital Government Component of the regional EU-co-funded project in the Horn of Africa. The development of the ICT building blocks at the global level therefore expanded to include relevant actors in Kenya as well as Somalia and Djibouti. Capacity development approaches, such as trainings or co- creative workshops, will be conducted for governmental actors to strengthen their awareness and understanding about the opportunities and risks as well as functioning and deployment of digital government services. Moreover, the participation of Kenyan stakeholders in regional and international communities of practice for the maintenance and use of ICT building blocks will be supported. The activities of the GovStack Initiative in Kenya will be implemented under the umbrella of the Digital Transformation Centre.
About the Digital Transformation Centre Kenya
The Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Kenya is a bilateral project of German Development Cooperation established to support the country’s digital transition towards a sustainable and
human-centred digital economy and society. The DTC capitalizes on the existing digital and innovation ecosystem and seeks to strengthen it, while also looking at the wider societal impact of digital technologies.
A. Responsibilities
The Advisor is responsible for:
GovStack
Facilitating the implementation of the GovStack Initiative’s activities in Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia
Offering backstopping support for crosscutting issues relating to GIZ P+R, including procurement, contracts and consultancies, communication, data protection and M&E
Supporting avenues for regional exchanges and engagements for knowledge sharing
Managing grants, including steering, coordination and contract management
Supporting the implementation of trainings and other capacity development measures for government stakeholders on digital government topics, e.g., on a whole-of-government approach
Contribute actively to reports (regular and ad-hoc), PR materials, and other related tasks to reporting and communication for the GovStack Initiative
Coordinate closely and ensure alignment with the global GovStack team at HQ and the other country components of the Initiative
DTC
- Managing grant agreements and service contracts, including steering, coordination and contract management
- Develop and foster partnerships with governmental and other relevant actors in the field of digital government
- Liase with Ministry focal person for the smooth implementation of eGovernment activities in Kenya
- Supporting the implementation of trainings and other capacity development measures for
government stakeholders on digital government topics, e.g., on a whole-of-government approach - Contribute actively to reports (regular and ad-hoc), PR materials, and other related tasks to reporting and communication for the GovStack Initiative
- Coordinate closely and ensure alignment of eGovernment activities with other DTC activities.
B. Tasks
The Advisor will perform the following tasks under disciplinary supervision of the Head of the Digital Government Component and Head of the Governance component:
Technical advice for implementation of project activities
Supporting the implementation of the GovStack and DTC activities related to the strengthening of digital government in Kenya and in the Horn of Africa. This includes, e.g.:
Support the implementation of training activities around digital government
Support policy processes regarding the use of ICT building blocks for digital government services
Advise on digital government related questions such as e.g., interoperability, data protection, cybersecurity and data sharing
Assist in the development of scorecards for Kenya’s performance with regards to the Digital Market Index as well as a roadmap with priority areas of intervention to further foster the country’s digital transformation
Draft terms of reference for the conduct of capacity development measures on digital government services set up, implementation and maintenance
Review, comment and accompany the set-up of financing agreements
Support activities by implementing partners, follow-up and ensure that quality results are delivered in a timely manner
Project management
- Actively support project planning for the strengthening of digital government in Kenya together with the GovStack HQ team
- Prepare and manage consultancy assignments and financing agreements, and monitor service providers in completing their tasks
- Support in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of project activities, and reporting
- Manage meetings and events with partners, service providers and other relevant stakeholders (preparation, implementation, follow-up)
- Support knowledge management and public relation of the programme, including documentation of lessons learnt, best practices, case studies and success stories
- Support the preparation of communication materials and progress updates to BMZ and other stakeholders
Partnerships and network management
Initiate and foster partnerships with government, private sector, academia, and civil society actors in Kenya for the project
- Manage a network of project partners consisting of Kenyan stakeholders
- Support in keeping positive and productive relations with implementing partners, and other stakeholders
- Ensure alignment with the global GovStack activities
Other duties/additional tasks
- Performs other duties and tasks as assigned
C. Profile
The Advisor should have the following qualifications, competences and experiences;
Qualifications
Professional experience
- At least 3-5 years of work experience in the area of digitalization and/or public administration
- Substantial experience in project management (conceptualisation, planning, coordination, steering, monitoring)
- Very good understanding of digital government, data governance frameworks incl. data protection, IT security and data sharing, as well as of digitalization challenges of
public administrations - Proven skills and experience in networking and fostering partnerships. An existing network in the area of digital government in Kenya, and/or internationally is an
asset - Experience in working with and/or advising government institutions on digital topics; a focus on public service delivery is desirable
- Knowledge of the Kenyan legal and policy frameworks on privacy, data governance and IT security are considered a strong advantage
- Work experience in development cooperation is desired
Other knowledge, additional competence
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to communicate in both written and spoken English at high level. Knowledge of Kiswahili is an advantage
- Ability and willingness to work in a dynamic local and global team under minimal supervision
- Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to cooperate effectively with colleagues and partners
- Self-starter, who works independently and has a flexible attitude but is a strong team player simultaneously
- Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies (related software, phone, email, internet), Excel and other computer applications (e.g. MS Office);
D. Duration of Assignment
The duration of the assignment will be until December 2025.
E. Duty location
The duty location is Nairobi.
