Regulatory Sandbox Framework and Digital Innovation Senior Consultant.

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION  

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems. 

ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.

Regulatory Sandbox Framework and Digital Innovation Senior Consultant. 

 Vacancy notice no: 2410 
Sector: BDT
Department: Regional Offices
Country of contract: Remote
Duty station: Home Based

 Position number: [[positionNumber]] 
Grade: [[PositionGrade]] 
Type of contract: Consultant
Duration of contract: 30 working days
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 30 September 2026

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is responsible for the organization and coordination of the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector of the Union. BDT deals mainly with development policies, strategies, programming, projects, as well as technical cooperation activities to enable and foster universal access to affordable, high-quality and secure telecommunications/ICTs and Foster equitable and inclusive use of telecommunications/ICTs to empower people and societies for sustainable development. To effectively and efficiently serve the needs of Member States, BDT is organized into four functional areas:

• Operations Coordination Department (Office of the Deputy to the Director) (DDR)
• Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS) 
• Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE) 
• Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)

The regional offices provide assistance to the ITU Member States of the Region, ensuring a close relationship and collaboration. To implement the agreed programs and projects, in accordance with the ITU Strategy Plan and the BDT Action Plan, with the active support of all Departments, providing timely information about their development. To provide proper line management and support, the Regional Directors report to the Director of the BDT.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The rapid evolution of digital technologies, telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), digital platforms, spectrum innovations, satellite services, fintech, and new connectivity models demands more agile and collaborative regulatory approaches. Regulatory sandboxes provide a controlled environment where innovative ICT products, services, technologies, and business models can be tested under regulatory supervision before large-scale deployment. These regulatory sandboxes are increasingly being adopted by ICT regulators worldwide to foster innovation while managing risks and protecting consumers.
It is with this in mind that the ITU supports ICT regulatory authorities in developing regulatory innovation frameworks, including controlled testing environments that allow for the controlled testing of innovative digital services, technologies, and business models, while ensuring appropriate regulatory oversight. Recent ITU initiatives have focused on strengthening the capacity of regulatory authorities to design, implement, and manage these regulatory experimentation environments and mechanisms.
The ITU is seeking a consultant to provide technical, regulatory, and strategic expertise to support the feasibility study, design, and implementation roadmap for a regulatory sandbox framework and related regulatory experimentation mechanisms for the Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority, Senegal (ARTP).

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the direction of the Regional Director of the ITU Regional Office for Africa and the guidance of the ITU Area Representative for West Africa, and in close collaboration with the relevant ITU Headquarter divisions and the Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority, Senegal (ARTP), the consultant will undertake the following activities:

• Regulatory sandbox design:
  • Assess existing legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks governing the ICT sector.
  • Develop the regulatory sandbox framework, including governance structures, operational procedures, and institutional arrangements.
  • Establish eligibility and selection criteria for participation.
  • Define risk management, compliance, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms.
  • Design application, testing, assessment, and exit procedures for sandbox participants.  
• Regulatory and Policy Analysis:
  • Review telecommunications, ICT, and digital economy legislation to identify regulatory barriers to innovation.
  • Assess opportunities for regulatory experimentation and adaptive regulation.
  • Conduct benchmarking and comparative analysis of international regulatory sandbox models and best practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
  • Develop consultation mechanisms for engagement with regulators, operators, innovators, start-ups, academia and development partners.
  • Propose frameworks for multi-stakeholder collaboration and innovation governance.
  • Facilitate approaches to strengthen public-private dialogue and coordination mechanisms.
• Sandbox implementation roadmap:
  • Identify priority areas and use cases suitable for regulatory experimentation within Senegal's digital ecosystem.
  • Develop implementation guidelines, operational procedures, and governance arrangements for ARTP.
  • Define pilot initiatives, proof-of-concept activities, and testing methodologies.  
  • Establish monitoring, evaluation and reporting frameworks.
  • Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and success criteria for measuring sandbox outcomes.
• Capacity Development and knowledge transfer:
  • Deliver workshops, training sessions, and awareness-building activities for ARTP staff and stakeholders.
  • Develop practical guidance materials, operational manuals and training resources.
  • Provide technical mentoring and advisory support to ARTP during the initial implementation phase.
  • Provide ad hoc technical support and knowledge exchange for a period of sic (6 months) following completion of the training programme.
• Assessment of emerging technologies:
  • Assess regulatory implications and potential sandbox applications for emerging technologies and innovation areas, including:
    Artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G/6G technologies, Satellite communications, community networks, Digital Identity Solutions, Blockchain-based services, Smart city application, cybersecurity innovations, Digitalization/ e- commerce solutions, IP Regulation and Domain Name governance, Data-driven and evidence-based regulation.

CONCRETE DELIVERABLES

• Feasibility Study Report:
  A comprehensive assessment of the feasibility, design options, governance structure, implementation requirements, and potential applications of a regulatory sandbox framework for ARTP, incorporating the findings of all activities outlined in the scope of work.
• Regulatory Sandbox Framework and Implementation Roadmap:
  A practical framework including governance arrangements, eligibility criteria, testing procedures, monitoring mechanisms, KPIs, pilot use cases, and an implementation roadmap for operationalization by ARTP.
• Capacity-Building Programme and Knowledge Products:
  Delivery of training workshops, technical guidance materials, operational manuals, and knowledge-sharing resources to support ARTP's management of regulatory experimentation initiatives.
• Stakeholder Validation Workshop:
  Organization and facilitation of a stakeholder consultation and validation workshop to present findings, gather feedback, and refine the final recommendations and framework.
• Reporting and recommendations:
  Prepare the initial, progress and final reports, develop strategic policy recommendations and implementation plans, document lessons learned, best practices, challenges, and opportunities for replication and scaling.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to write accurate and comprehensive analytical reports, appropriate recommendations and guidelines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with applications.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education: 

Advanced university degree in the field of Telecommunications/ Information and Communications Technology (ICT), sciences, engineering or a related field OR education from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the fields above. 

Experience:

At least ten (10) years of experience in telecommunications networks, applications, and projects, acquired within a telecommunications administration, an international organization or institution, academia, or a private operating agency. 
Proven experience in designing or managing regulatory sandboxes. 
Solid experience and knowledge of telecommunications/ICT issues. 
Good understanding of ICT regulatory frameworks, telecommunications licensing and authorization schemes, spectrum policy and management, digital innovation ecosystems, consumer protection, risk assessment and regulatory impact analysis, project management and stakeholder engagement.
Experience with telecommunications regulatory authorities would be an asset. 
Experience in digital innovation, spectrum management, broadband policy, or emerging technologies would be an asset.

Languages:

Knowledge of French at advanced level. Knowledge of English would be an asset.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

USD 340 per working day.

INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS   

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU career website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.