Advisor - Digital & Tech Transformation

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we are committed to making global governance more effective. We believe that political leadership, when optimally employed, can bring about transformative changes that significantly improve the lives of citizens. Our teams of expert advisors work closely with government leaders across the globe, offering strategic, policy, and delivery advice, all underpinned by cutting-edge technology.

We are currently seeking to appoint an exceptional Advisor - Digital & Tech Transformation with substantial experience. This role is pivotal to our efforts in assisting governments to navigate the complexities of digital innovation, ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for positive change, particularly in the realm of public services.

The Advisor - Digital & Tech Transformation will be a core member of TBI’s CIV Tech team, reporting to the Tech Lead and tasked with supporting client engagements and providing expert counsel in the realm of digital transformation and technology-driven governmental change, with an emphasis on Digital Public Services, Innovation, Data and AI. This position demands a candidate with a profound understanding of technology's role in government and a proven track record in client engagement, business development, and project management within the digital innovation ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities for the role include:

Under the direction and guidance of the Senior Manager - Technology key responsibilities for the role include:

Client Advisory:

Support the Senior Manager - Technology in advisory engagements aimed at enhancing digital ecosystems within government frameworks.

Develop strong collaborative networks and effective communication with main counterparts, and other relevant agencies and organizations within the Government of Cote d'Ivoire.

Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders within implementing agencies to facilitate issue resolution and unblock issues delaying implementation.

Leverage solid expertise in digital public services to advise on best practices, emerging trends, and innovative solutions that can enhance the delivery of government services to the public.

Technology Landscape Assessment:

Evaluate the current Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) landscape in Cote d'Ivoire, identifying potential new counterparts, analysing demand/supply barriers, and understanding the strategies of current players in the sector.

Assess the digital readiness of government institutions to implement digital transformation initiatives, focusing on digital public services, data, AI, infrastructure, and regulatory environment.

Strategic Partnership Brokerage:

Facilitate strategic partnerships between governments and tech innovators, fostering environments conducive to practical, tech-driven societal improvements.

Encourage collaborations that focus on enhancing digital skills within government bodies and the wider community to ensure successful adoption and sustainability of digital initiatives.

Vision Articulation and Roadmapping:

Assist government clients in defining their digital transformation visions and designing strategic roadmaps to enhance the digital ecosystem's robustness and utility.

Focus on integrating digital public services and digital skills development into transformation roadmaps to ensure comprehensive and inclusive digital advancement.

Digital Public Services Expertise:

Provide expert advice on the development and implementation of digital public services, ensuring they are accessible, user-friendly, and effectively meet the needs of the population.

Champion the adoption of digital solutions that improve public service delivery, making services more efficient, transparent, and inclusive.

Digital Skills Enhancement:

Lead initiatives aimed at improving digital literacy and skills among government officials and the general populace to support the effective use of digital services.

Assist in the design and implementation of training programs and workshops to build the necessary digital competencies required for the digital era.

Other Responsibilities:

Contribute to TBI’s wider activities, including strategy development, reporting, and organization-wide coordination.

Support the TBI Cote d'Ivoire workstreams in knowledge sharing and thought leadership efforts within the digital transformation domain.

Person Specification

We are in search of exceptional individuals who have demonstrated success in leading digital transformation projects, especially within the public sector. The ideal candidate will excel in a dynamic environment that values proactive individual effort and collaborative teamwork. Key to this role is the ability to forge strong relationships, earn trust, and effectively influence governmental changes. The candidate will be well-versed in the principles and processes of effective delivery, with a solid foundation in business development and program management.

The candidate will be confident and capable of engaging at the highest governmental levels, backed by outstanding political acuity and discretion. They will possess advanced analytical skills adaptable to various scenarios. Furthermore, the candidate will have a profound expertise in digital public services and digital skills, essential for facilitating digital transformations. This expertise, combined with the following attributes, will define the ideal candidate:

Extensive experience in a leadership role, cutting across centre of government, governance, delivery and management consulting in Africa.

Ability to work and interact at the highest levels of political decision-making structures in Governments and to support the emergence of trusted relationships.

Strong political acumen and able to rapidly develop an understanding of the needs of senior officials.

Highly developed analytical skills that can be deployed in a range of contexts.

The ability to work in the face of a range of competing views and priorities, possessing highly developed negotiation skills.

Exceptional communication, drafting and presentation skills with fluency in French and English.

Be a strong team player with excellent soft skills as well as flexibility to help where needed.

A proven ability to work independently, think strategically and translate strategies into concrete and implementable plans; an acute attention to detail, as well as organizational and communication skills.

Proven ability and experience leading and managing people and teams.

Strong sense of ethics, discretion and perseverance required.

Experience of living and working in developing countries is strongly desirable.

Strong team player with flexibility, independence, strategic thinking, and a keen attention to detail.

The successful candidate will play a crucial role in shaping and influencing digital transformation in government through innovation.

Closing Date:2024-05-01

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