Background

infoDev (www.infodev.org) is a research, capacity building and advisory program, coordinated and served by an expert Secretariat housed in the Global ICT Department (GICT) of the World Bank Group.  It helps developing countries and their international partners use innovation and information and communication technologies (ICT) effectively as tools for poverty reduction and sustainable social and economic development. infoDev is a thought leader in technology-enabled small business incubation. infoDev’s global incubation network reaches close to 300 business incubators, more than 20,000 small and medium enterprises and has helped create over 200,000 jobs across 87 developing countries.

From 2010-2012, infoDev will implement an ambitious program entitled “Creating Sustainable Businesses in the Knowledge Economy”. This program, jointly organized by infoDev, the Government of Finland and Nokia, will undertake a range of activities including establishing regional mobile applications laboratories; linking mobile entrepreneurs via a social networking initiative; using business incubation initiatives to stimulate small business creation; assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to seek new markets overseas; ensuring that SMEs have appropriate access to finance (A2F); starting international working groups for ICT and agribusiness entrepreneurs and incubators; and creating resources for project leaders to incorporate ICTs and innovation systems into agriculture development projects.

This position is one of a number of short- and extended-term consultant positions that are being recruited specifically for this program. The project management team includes the infoDev Program Manager, a Task Team Leader (TTL), an Operations Officer and a Program Analyst. The Program Manager will provide on-going strategic guidance and oversee relations with the donors. The TTL will have overall responsibility for the successful implementation of the program. The Operations Officer will coordinate the work of the program on a day-to-day basis with the assistance of the Program Analyst.  In addition, the other staff of infoDev, including business incubation, communications, financial management, administrative, operations and procurement specialists, will assist the team.

Duties and accountabilities

infoDev is seeking an extended  term consultant (ETC) to assist the project management team in implementing the portion of the program relating to the establishment of mobile applications laboratories in Africa, Asia and ECA (Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia). The ETC will report to TTL and via the TTL, to the Program Manager and will work closely with the Operations Officer and other infoDev team members on these tasks. 

 The objective of the mobile applications labs is to increase the competitiveness of innovative content and applications enterprises and to ensure that locally relevant applications are created to meet the needs of developing country users, in area such as agriculture, health or education. Mobile applications such as m-payments, agricultural market information or weather alerts are taking off fast in developing country environments, using the world’s largest delivery platform for development – the mobile communications network. These labs will address both the supply-side of providing locally relevant mobile applications, and the demand drivers that are relevant to specific sectors of the economy and society. infoDev will utilize its knowledge of technology enabled business incubation to nurture technology start-ups and SMEs. infoDev’s network of business incubators now covers some 290+ incubators in over 80 developing countries.

The labs will be complemented by a program on mobile social networking, being implemented in conjunction with Mobile Monday, which will promote entrepreneurship and innovation among the mobile industry. Some 3-4 hubs will be established in Africa, 2 in Asia and 3 in ECA. Although the labs will likely have a regional focus, the piloting of individual applications will most likely take place in countries, including Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Cambodia, Nepal, Vietnam, Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The Task Manager will:

1.       Plan, source and implement the regional mobile applications labs by:

a)      Developing a concept note and detailed implementation plan in consultation with the project management team, Nokia and other relevant stakeholders;

b)      Identifying and implementing business models for the labs in consultation with the abovementioned partners, by focusing particularly on revenue streams, cost structures, milestones, targets and selection criteria for identifying and piloting the applications/entrepreneurs;

c)       Assessing possible locations for establishing the labs in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and ECA, in cooperation with all relevant partners and stakeholders;

d)      Selecting specific locations in an open and transparent manner, including identifying possible host institutions, where relevant;

e)      Working collaboratively with Nokia on all aspects of the project, engaging its resources for the lab and forging close collaboration with Nokia’s Nairobi Research Lab and other relevant mobile development initiatives;

f)       Drawing actively on the resources of the infoDev regional business incubation networks for the appropriate good practice and networks of entrepreneurs in the developing world; and

g)      Identifying, evaluating and forging links, where appropriate with other similar initiatives around the world, so as to learn from best practice.

2.       Once each lab is established, plan and implement a working business model and identify candidate applications by:

a)      Overseeing the appointment of a local management team for the labs and establishing the appropriate local and international partnerships to ensure their success and sustainability;

b)      Working closely with local and international partners to identify candidate entrepreneurs and applications through a competitive tendering processes and through the mobile social networking hubs;

c)       Establishing tools and programs for the labs to effectively create, adapt and translate applications to local market circumstances;

d)      Working with local partners to market test and commercially launch of the applications, via partnerships with local network operators; and

e)      Using the mobile social networking hubs to market the labs, identify new entrepreneurs and raise awareness of the program.

3.       Support all other relevant activities under the program by:

a)      Assisting with the mobile social networking hubs, in Africa, Asia and ECA;

b)      Contributing to infoDev’s analytical products on mobile communications and the ICT in Agriculture Sourcebook;

c)       Assisting with preparations for the 2011 Global Forum, including by identifying appropriate mobile applications to showcase;

d)      Spearheading regular dialogue for infoDev on the broader issues surrounding mobile applications and content, by engaging entrepreneurs, financing companies, development practitioners and interesting applications and entrepreneurs already in the market; and

e)      Advising on possible new areas of work in the fast growing mobile applications area for infoDev.

Selection criteria

• A Masters degree in a relevant discipline;
• Excellent program management skills and demonstrated experience in managing international projects with activities in multiple countries;
• Specific, practical and business-oriented knowledge of the mobile communications sector and in the mobile applications space in particular. Past experience in working with a mobile equipment manufacturer or an operator would be an advantage;
• Demonstrated market-based experience in the mobile area in developing countries environments in Africa, Asia and/or ECA;
• Knowledge of the inter-related issues and mechanisms, including business environments,  research and public policy, that produce effective development results;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, and experience in working with a variety of stakeholders, including senior government officials and private sector representatives;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently with limited supervision;
• Experience of working in a multicultural team and proven ability to build relationships with project partners;
• Excellent abilities in the use of ICTs, especially for project management, web development and remote communication;
• Preferably, experience working with entrepreneurs and SMEs;
• Fluency in English is required and additional language skills are a plus;
• A minimum of ten years relevant professional work experience.

Duration of Assignment:

The position is initially for 1 year, which may be extended for an additional year, depending on the availability of funds. The candidate should be able to start the assignment on April 1, 2010.

Location:

This position is based in Washington, DC, but will require extensive travel.

To Apply:

Please submit your online application at http://www.worldbank.org/jobs. Look for selection no. 100435 under the Consultant and Temporary Opportunities (ET Consultant) category.

The deadline to apply is March 19, 2010.