Project Officer

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: 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 also organizes global Telecom events bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the private sector to exchange ideas and knowledge for the benefit of all. 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. Project Officer - Digital Public Infrastructure, Digital Credentials and Wallets Vacancy notice no: 2208Sector: TSBDepartment: SEDCountry of contract: SwitzerlandDuty station: Geneva Position number:Grade: P3Type of contract: Short-termDuration of contract: 11 monthsRecruitment open to: ExternalApplication deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 5 January 2026 ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT The Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) fulfills the objectives of the Union relating to telecommunication standardization, by providing secretariat support to groups studying technical, operating and tariff questions and facilitating the adoption of Recommendations in these areas with a view to standardizing telecommunications and information technology on a global basis. In order to achieve these objectives, the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau works in accordance with the instructions of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies (WTSA), Telecommunication Standardization Study Groups and the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group. TSB, headed by an elected Director, provides the technical, administrative and logistic support for the assemblies and for the meetings of the groups mentioned. Within the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB), the Strategic Engagement Department (SED) is responsible with leading the Bureau's community engagement, marketing, and communications efforts, including pioneering “emerging technologies” initiatives like the annual AI for Good Global Summit, and utilizing innovative tactics for membership recruitment and business development to establish ITU-T as an agile, forward-looking, and innovative standardization platform. The Department is also responsible for the Bureau's, academic initiatives and the ITU Journal, a periodical dedicated to research topics in telecommunication and ICT. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES In the Strategic Tech and Academia Initiatives Division (STAI) within the Strategic Engagement Department (SED), under the supervision of the Head of STAI, the duties to be performed are as follows: Coordinate with ITU Study Groups and external standards development bodies to gather key inputs, background materials, and updated information on their standardization activities on digital public infrastructure (DPI), working closely with ITU policy, and technical teams across the Bureaux to integrate institutional knowledge and technical accuracy. Conduct in-depth research on digital public infrastructure and AI implementation, standards- related work and their implications for global technology policy. Stay abreast of the latest trends and developments in digital credentials, AI, and digital public infrastructure innovations to develop a related repository on digital public infrastructure implementations and standardization work. Synthesize key insights to develop technical papers on digital public infrastructure and AI. The repository will include use cases for digital public infrastructure and digital credentials and wallets based on research on technical requirements, use cases, and standardization aspects related to DPI, which can support the implementation of DPI, particularly in developing countries. Assist in the day-to‑day activities of the OpenWallet Forum project. Manage the organization of the meetings and events organized by the OpenWallet Forum and participation in third‑party conferences. Manage the website, electronic meetings, and electronic document‑handling tools for the OpenWallet Forum activities. Provide technical guidance to the OpenWallet Forum Government Consultative Committee management team and prepare the reports for the multistakeholder meetings organised by the OpenWallet Forum and other related meetings as required. Monitor the implementation of the AI Standards Exchange Database, including its updates by ITU Study Groups and external standards development bodies, providing detailed statistics on AI standards for each Study Group and standards development body, and user‑related statistics for access, as well as developing recommendations to address any issues, challenges, and risks identified during the monitoring process. Develop the requirements for the LLM search agent and chatbot for the AI Standards Exchange Database and manage its implementation and maintenance. Coordinate with standards development bodies for the development and maintenance of the AI standards capacity‑building component for the AI Standards Exchange Database. Coordinate with stakeholders for capacity‑building in the area of telecommunications/ICT related to digital public infrastructure and provide support to the Membership in their development and deployment of digital public infrastructure initiatives, taking into consideration the particular needs of developing countries. Coordinate the publication of the outputs of the groups under the OpenWallet Forum. Coordinate the preparation of blogs, media interviews, presentations, and related articles for communication outreach for digital public infrastructure and OpenWallet Forum. Perform other related duties as assigned. CORE COMPETENCIES Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results‑Focused; Teamwork and Collaboration. FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES Analysis, Judgement and Decision Making Client and Service Orientation Innovation and Facilitating Change Networking and Building Partnerships Planning and Organising TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES Strong research skills and ability to analyse complex information and present it in a simplified manner. Excellent writing skills and ability to produce high‑quality reports and documentation. Solid coordination and organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and handle multiple activities concurrently. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain working relations across organisational boundaries and in a multicultural environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Sound knowledge of open standards, open‑source related projects for digital public infrastructure, digital credentials and digital wallets applications, and the importance of interoperability for global digital trust. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED Education: Advanced university degree in computer science, 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. For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with seven years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes. Experience: At least five years of progressively responsible experience in ICT related projects in areas related to open source and digital public goods, implementation of digital public infrastructure, or digital credentials or digital wallets, including at least two at the international level. A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience. Languages: Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This temporary opportunity is available to individuals residing locally. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr