Senior Non Key Experts in the Digital Connectivity Study for Agriculture (PRIDA II)

NTU International is currently supporting the Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa II EC-INTPA/ADD/2024/EA-RP/0030.

The assignment will be carried out under PRIDA II Output 1: “Improved capacities of AUC in supporting selected AU MS for implementing thematic digital strategies in education; health and agriculture” project plan Activity 1.1 – Studies, reports and strategies to support AUC implementation and domestication of Sectorial digital polices

NTU International is seeking 3 Senior Non Key Experts to support our team of experts in this technical assistance.

Geographic Coverage

The place of posting of Non-Key Experts is the AUC premises in Addis Ababa, with most of the working days delivered home-based or on remote missions.

The assignment shall cover all five AU geographic regions: North, West, Central, East, and Southern Africa. Analytical depth shall be proportionate across regions.

The consultants will deliver against the following four interrelated work streams, structured along the above listed four priority areas.

Work Stream 1: Bandwidth Availability, Quality and Cost Assessment

Assess the availability, quality, affordability, and adoption of connectivity services for rural agriculture and education across AU Member States and regions. Analyse mobile, fixed, and satellite connectivity, identify key barriers to access, and develop regional and national connectivity profiles benchmarked against international standards.

Work Stream 2: Affordable Connectivity Options Assessment

Evaluate the technical, economic, and regulatory feasibility of alternative connectivity solutions for rural and underserved areas. Assess their costs, suitability, and scalability, and recommend the most appropriate connectivity options for agriculture and education according to regional and national contexts.

Work Stream 3: Connectivity Models and Discount Rate Formulae

Review and compare sustainable connectivity financing and service delivery models, drawing on international best practices. Develop pricing and discount-rate methodologies, supported by sensitivity analysis, and recommend models tailored to different regional and national circumstances.

Work Stream 4: Promotion Strategies

Develop policy and implementation strategies to promote sustainable digital connectivity for agriculture and education. Define the roles of key stakeholders, ensure alignment with AU and national policy frameworks, and propose an indicative investment and financing framework to support implementation.

3 Senior Non-Key Experts

The following is the required profile of the Senior Non Key Experts in the Digital Connectivity Study for Agriculture

• At least a master’s degree in Communications/Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Computer Science/ICT/IT or Economics or Law from a reputable University.

• A minimum eight (8) years' experience in the field of connectivity market development in developing/emerging economies with a history of successful broadband network and commercial models development, preferably in an African setting

• A minimum 3 successfully completed assignments that involve providing technical advisory services on digital connectivity development

• Extensive experience of planning, designing, implementing or evaluating digital infrastructure and connectivity initiatives. Prior practice experience of working on broadband infrastructure related projects preferred.

• Prior experience assessing technical needs and designing digital infrastructure and access initiatives for assisting resource constrained, underserved or remote regions, harnessing emerging approaches for last-mile connectivity technologies such as LEO Satellite and 5G broadband, is an advantage.

• Wide experience in developing/ emerging markets telecommunications policy and connectivity economics. Experience in the African context is an advantage.

• Demonstrated experience in telecommunications regulation, with experience in universal service/access policy or USAF design and tariff regulation;

• Experience in digital education ,educational institutions connectivity programmes, digital agriculture or smallholder farmer connectivity is an advantage;

• Demonstrated knowledge of the connectivity infrastructure and device value-chain, as well as the broadband market in Africa, key challenges and opportunities for development, as well as innovative supply side and demand side commercial modelling

• Familiarity with the digital inclusion agenda, and demonstrated knowledge of key regulatory and policy issues related to inclusive connectivity market development.

• Expertise in quantitative modelling capability for connectivity cost and pricing scenarios

• Experience in working on Digital connectivity projects in Africa or developing and emerging markets with focus on rural and underserved areas

• International references from working in development projects financed by multilateral organization such as the European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, etc in the capacity of a technical advisor/specialist/expert are required.

• Project level proficiency in English or French

Required Level of Effort/Workdays

Senior Non-Key Expert 1

30 working days (5 AU based/Addis Ababa in 1* 5 workday mission, 25 remote work days)

Senior Non-Key Expert 2:

30 working days (5 AU based//Addis Ababa in 1* 5 workday mission, 25 remote work days)

Senior Non-Key Expert 3:

30 working days (5 AU based//Addis Ababa in 1* 5 workday mission, 25 remote work days)

One travel mission to each region is anticipated (to be confirmed).

Timeline

The assignment shall be conducted over a period of six months from contract signature. Indicative start and completion dates to be confirmed following the kick-off meeting with the African Union Commission. The tentative start of the assignment is end of August 2026.