Regional Anglophone Digital ID Advisor at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

Key Responsibilities

The advisor is expected to assess key elements of the existing Digital Identity ecosystem and make recommendations for TBI to consider when providing advisory support to governments in Anglophone African countries within our portfolio. Key responsibilities include:

• Assessment of Current Identification landscape: Conducting SWOT analyses of existing Foundational and Functional ID registries, their current uptake and demand/supply barriers to overcome; current players in the sector and their corresponding tech/innovation strategies
• Digital ID ecosystem scoping: identifying opportunities for optimising national ID systems through strategy alignment and harmonisation of Foundational and Functional ID platforms
• Cross-Government coordination and alignment around a common vision and mission which has the respective countries’ Digital ID ecosystem at its core
• Designing a roadmap for achieving interoperability between potential functional registries / public bodies with the national ID registry within these countries
• Articulating the value of a proposed solution to government and end-users and any gaps that TBI could offer unique value in helping to address
• Analysis of fiscal requirements set by the government, development partners, and any other stakeholders, and identify gaps between funding sources and required outputs
• Assessment of legislative / policy frameworks in place or required to support good practice in data governance
• Evaluation of skills and human capital requirements by the government and relevant partners to meet the agreed roadmap objectives and timelines
• Supporting additional tech partnerships, if deemed necessary, to address gaps in existing processes
• Evaluation of potential business models to make the ecosystem self-sustainable (relevant to each country’s context)
• Provision of likely timelines for achieving mandate, procurement and deployment

Definition of potential impact and success indicators (human development, economic, catalytic/transformational effects on nation’s development path etc.

• Closely working with the Head of Digital ID and other Digital ID Advisors (regional or in-country) to ensure alignment and sharing of insights.

Person Specification

The successful candidate must demonstrate a good understanding of the ICT ecosystem and tech and digital space, as well as general Governments’ machinery across Africa. Prior work with Government is highly desirable. Additional skills and competencies required include:

• Experience in business operations, Digital ID, technology implementation, consulting or advisory functions
• Experience in an Advisory role preferred, including experience in Digital ID implementations at a national or regional level
• Familiarity with the political and economic ecosystem of the ICT sector and experience working with key (public and/or private sector) stakeholders in the tech and digital space in government; prior experience working on programmes/projects in emerging markets, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable
• Experience carrying out information systems assessments and providing technical recommendations
• Demonstrable experience and ability to work (and deliver impact) in complex and uncertain political environments
• Experience in assessing data governance approaches and proposing meaningful recommendations;
• Problem-solving and analytical skills, including sound knowledge of data analysis, strategic planning, and project management practices
• Ability to present information in a concise, insightful and structured manner, written and oral
• Experience in analytical and research studies in the state sector, within public reforms, national and investment projects
• Experience in development and/or implementation of risk management/matrix frameworks
• High quality communication, drafting and presentational skills
• Excellent in building and managing effective relationships including the ability to navigate complex political environments
• Fluency English (oral and written)