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 more than 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 is implementing 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; 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, as well as task managers for the mobile applications labs and mobile social networking initiatives. In addition, the other staff of infoDev, including business incubation, communications, financial management, administrative, operations and procurement specialists, will assist the team.

Scope of work

A major component of the Creating Sustainable Businesses program is the establishment of a series of five regional mobile application laboratories, in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. These “mLabs” will facilitate demand-driven innovation by grassroots entrepreneurs so that breakthrough low-cost, high-value applications can be developed. To help entrepreneurs, investors, mentors and partners share knowledge, experience and perspective, infoDev will support a host of activities designed to realize the innovation potential of the laboratories. These will consist of a range of networking opportunities, including Mobile Monday gatherings, an online social network and community of practice, and a mentorship scheme for applications developers.

In order to facilitate knowledge exchange and increase the reach of the mLabs, infoDev seeks to create an international community of practice for those working on mobile applications for development. Currently, infoDev manages communities and toolkits on business incubation, educational technologies, and ICT regulation; it is expected that these existing resources will both complement and inspire the mobile applications community of practice.  

Tasks

Under the general supervision of the Task Manager for the mobile social networking initiative, the Consultant will assist in developing and maintaining an online social network that serves as a community of practice for mobile application developers, entrepreneurs, mentors and partners.

In particular, the consultant will:

1. Solicit feedback from potential user groups about their needs for an online community of practice.
2. Identify the best options for hosting, design and format of an online social network and community of practice that provides a forum for dialogue and interaction between different stakeholder communities including: a) mobile application developers, b) entrepreneurs and financiers, and c) mobile application users, including businesses, NGOs, and individuals; d) network operators, and e) equipment manufacturers.
3. Create an initial range of content for the site, including case studies, market research and best practice examples.
4. In close collaboration with the project team, and especially the Communications Officer, develop and maintain all features and functions of the online space. This may involve:
1. posting materials and links to resources relevant to mobile applications development;
2. assisting members in responding to technical questions;
3. maintaining the online platform, including managing the registration process, continuously improving the look and feel, fixing bugs, maintaining usage statistics and moderating user-generated content; 
4. initiating forum discussions on the site;
5. making links from the site to other activities within the Creating Sustainable Businesses program and other relevant activities on mobile applications for development.
6. adding other functions and facilities that may be requested by the community;
5. Contribute to a best practice guide on the technical aspects of developing and maintaining an international online social network and community of practice.

Qualifications:

• Between five (5) and ten (10) years of related experience, working with appropriate technology, including in developing country contexts.
• Strong experience with building and running online communities of practice. • Familiarity and facility with current online social networking tools.
• Strong knowledge of and interest in mobile applications for development, from the perspectives of international development, mobile technology and entrepreneurship.
• Demonstrated experience in working with target groups participating in this initiative: entrepreneurs, mobile developers, investors, and private sector representatives and public officials.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Duration of Assignment:

It is expected that these tasks would require approximately [24] days FTE ("full-time equivalent") of work in the period from September through December 2010, with a possibility of further work once the community of practice website is operational.

Location:

This position is notionally based in Washington, DC, but could be carried out at a distance.

To Apply:

Please send a CV and a covering letter indicating your suitability for this task and your proposals on how to conduct it, to Maja Andjelkovic (mandjelkovic@worldbank.org) with a copy to info@infodev.org. Deadline to apply is August 20, 2010.