Position:Digital Government and Services Specialist

Project Name: The Digital Zambia Acceleration Project
( DZAP), (P505094)

Name of Employer / Institution: Electronic Government
Division – Smart Zambia Institute (SZI)

1.   Background

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has received financing from the International Development Association of the World Bank to accelerate country-wide digital transformation. The “Digital Zambia Acceleration Project” (henceforth referred to as the ‘the project’) will drive digital transformation throughout the country by enhancing access to technology and improving service delivery. The project will address key barriers that hinder demand for digital services, such as inadequate digital infrastructure, low digital literacy rates, access to digital devices and affordability issues. The project in addition, will enable Zambia to leverage critical enabling digital platforms and data-driven solutions to improve the efficiency of public service delivery and expand the adoption of digitally enabled services.

The Project will be coordinated through the Electronic Government Division (EGD) – Smart Zambia Institute (SZI). A dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) is thus being set up and operationalized at SZI that will have overall responsibility for supporting project preparation and implementation.

SZI seeks to hire a series of high-performing and qualified experts, as individual consultants, to fill the positions of the PIU, who will drive the successful and effective preparation and delivery of this project.

1.1.  Summary of Needed Technical Expert

The Digital Government and Services Specialist shall work with SZI to improve public services through the use of technology. The Expert should have a solid understanding of Zambia’s Digital Transformation Agenda in order to drive digital transformation within government.

2.   Objective of the Assignment for the Digital Infrastructure Specialist

To provide consultancy services and contribute to the design and optimization of digital government platforms and services. The Specialist will contribute to ensuring that systems are user-centric, secure, and accessible to all citizens. The Specialist will support the development and review of digital strategies and will recommend advanced technologies to improve service delivery and governance, managing cross-departmental digital transformation projects, and ensuring compliance with data protection and cybersecurity standards.

3.   Scope of Work for the Assignment

3.1.  General Responsibilities

·     Provide technical advice to SZI and the PIU on strategies for modernizing and digitizing government services.

·     Facilitate coordination among ministries and agencies for cross-sectoral digital transformation initiatives.

·     Ensure digital services are compliant with national data protection and cybersecurity frameworks.

·     Serve as the focal point for digital services within the PIU, supporting the monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement of digital platforms.

·     Undertake any other tasks relevant to digital government and services as assigned by the PIU Coordinator.

3.2. Specific Responsibilities

·     Design and implement digital solutions tailored to national and sectoral service delivery needs.

·     Contribute to analytical and diagnostic work on e-Government maturity, digital inclusion, and innovation trends.

·     Support the development and implementation of digital service standards, interoperability frameworks, and government service integration layers.

·     Facilitate capacity-building programs, workshops, and community-of-practice engagements to strengthen stakeholder capabilities in digital service delivery.

·     Advise on the adoption of emerging technologies for enhanced government efficiency and citizen engagement.

·     Support the development of inclusive digital service models for underserved populations and persons with disabilities.

4.   List of Deliverables, Schedule of deliverables and Format of Submission

5.   Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

·       Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Digital Innovation, Public Administration, or related field.

·       Master’s degree in the above fields will be an added advantage.

Technical Competencies

·       Strong knowledge of digital government systems including digital identity, cloud services, interoperability, data exchange platforms, and service portals.

·       Practical experience with digital service lifecycle management (design, deployment, monitoring).

·       Familiarity with cybersecurity, data governance, and digital safeguards for public sector applications.

·       Experience with digital public infrastructure (DPI) and GovTech frameworks.

·       Knowledge of global standards and practices in digital government and e-governance.

Professional Experience

·       Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in digital transformation, government digitization projects, or public sector IT consulting.

·       Proven track record in managing or supporting national or large-scale digital government initiatives.

·       Experience working with international development organizations and/or government agencies is desirable.

Soft Skills

·       Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·       Ability to present complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

·       Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.

·       Results-driven with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

6.   Institutional Arrangements

The Digital Government and Services Specialist will report to the PIU Coordinator and will work closely with the relevant beneficiary agencies.

7.   Facilities to be Provided

The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will provide the Digital Government and Services Specialist with office facilities, essential utilities, office services, stationery and office supplies, ICT equipment and other materials as necessary.

8.   Location of the Assignment

The duty station for this role will be Lusaka, Zambia. The Digital Government and Services Specialist will be based within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

9.   Duration of Contract

The Digital Government Services Specialist will be contracted for an initial period of two years. The contract will be renewed based on th