Telecom Infrastructure Consultant

BACKGROUND Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) is a World Bank assisted project with the objective of enhancing the Government’s capacity for digitally enabled public services delivery for citizens and businesses. Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) is the Executing Agency of the project with implementation support from (i) Board of Investment (BoI), (ii) National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), (iii) Ignite – National Technology Fund and (iv) National IT Board (NITB). PROJECT DESCRIPTION DEEP aims to develop a framework and technology to promote digital services across Pakistan, significantly transforming citizen centric unified services nationwide. The project will support the development of digital public infrastructure including for responsible data exchange, digital authentication, and verifiable credentials and digitalization of public services (including to make them available through a new national citizen portal), which will improve the accessibility and delivery of services, economic opportunities, and social protection. In addition, DEEP will support a transition towards a digital inventory of administrative procedures and the development of an electronic single window—the Pakistan Business Portal (PBP)—integrated across all three layers of government for new and existing businesses to apply, renew, pay, and meet all their compliance needs. It will also promote civic innovation and digital inclusion. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT The objective of this consultancy is to deliver key strategic policies and interventions initiatives. The consultant will provide strategic expertise to enhance Pakistan's digital resilience and connectivity across the key areas. These initiatives include but not limited to strategic policy formulation related to smart device proliferation, emerging digital technologies, fintech-led mobile ecosystems, and data center expansion and telecom infrastructure development (including towers, fiber networks, submarine cables, cable landing stations (CLS), and value added services), ensuring coherence with Pakistan’s broader digital economy objectives. The Consultant will also strengthen international representation and national reporting mechanisms in global ICT forums (e.g., WRC, WTDC), contribute to the formulation of a National Strategy to position Pakistan as a Digital Connectivity Hub and Digital Corridor, comprehensive Assessment of Telecom Sector Taxation and Policy Reform Recommendations, optimization of fiber networks along CPEC & CAREC route and design a Ministerial level digital infrastructure dashboard to support evidence based decision making and monitoring of sector performance. All initiatives will align with World Bank standards and Pakistan's Digital Policy while promoting stakeholder collaboration SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The Consultant will provide strategic, technical, and policy advisory support to enhance Pakistan’s digital resilience, connectivity, and digital economy in line with World Bank standards and national digital policies. The scope includes but not limited to supporting strategic policy formulation to align telecom infrastructure with digital economy objectives; advising on smart device proliferation and emerging technologies including satellite communications, IoT, AI enabled and non terrestrial networks; assessing infrastructure needs for fintech, mobile digital ecosystems, and data centers, strengthening national coordination and reporting for participation in global ICT forums such as WRC and WTDC, supporting development of a National Strategy to position Pakistan as a Digital Connectivity Hub and Digital Corridor, assessing telecom sector taxation and policy reform needs, advising on optimization and resilience of fiber networks along the CPEC route, design a Ministerial level digital infrastructure dashboard and facilitating coordination among relevant public and private stakeholders. Core Activities and Functional Responsibilities: 1. Strategic Policies A consolidated set of strategic policy notes and interventions addressing smart device proliferation, emerging digital technologies (including satellite communications, IoT, AI, and non terrestrial networks), fintech led mobile ecosystems, and data center expansion, ensuring alignment between telecom infrastructure and digital economy objectives. 2. International Representation and Reporting Framework Standardized national reporting templates and coordination mechanisms to support Pakistan’s effective participation in global ICT forums, including WRC, WTDC, and related international and regional platforms. 3. National Digital Connectivity Hub and Digital Corridor Strategy A strategy document outlining policy, infrastructure, and regulatory measures to position Pakistan as a regional Digital Connectivity Hub and Digital Corridor, including identification of priority international and regional connectivity routes. 4. Telecom Sector Taxation Assessment and Policy Reform Recommendations A comprehensive assessment report on telecom sector taxation, with evidence based policy reform recommendations to enhance investment, affordability, and sector sustainability. 5. CPEC Fiber Network Optimization and Resilience Assessment An assessment and recommendations report on optimization, redundancy, and resilience of fiber networks along the CPEC route to support national and regional connectivity objectives. 6. Project Oversight & Governance The Consultant will demonstrate experience in policy level monitoring and establishment of ministerial frameworks to track nationwide telecom infrastructure initiatives and ensure alignment with national development priorities. The Consultant will support alignment of telecom infrastructure budgets with national development plans and fiscal policies, engage relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with industry standards, and provide regular progress reporting to MoITT and the DEEP PMU to ensure transparency and accountability. The consultant will deliver quarterly implementation scorecards, policy briefs for federal/provincial cabinets, and a comprehensive National Infrastructure Development Report with actionable recommendations. The assignment requires maintaining technical neutrality while balancing commercial viability with public policy objectives, ensuring all outputs align with World Bank safeguards and Pakistan's Digital Policy objectives. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE 1) Minimum 16 years of education from a reputable/HEC/internationally recognized university in Electrical/Computer/Electronics/Telecom/Information Technology, or a relevant field. 2) Minimum 18 years of total professional work experience including national/international level experience in project execution, project communication, coordination formulation, analysis, stakeholder engagements preferably in Telecom/ICT/Digital sector. 3) Good understanding of international standards, regulations and practices 4) Proven track record of project execution and successful implementation of policies at national / international levels. 5) Strong communication, analytical, problem-solving skills and presentation skills with the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders at Federal and Provincials. ADDITIONAL SKILLS / EXPERTISE 1) Ability to establish monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the policy’s impact and effectiveness. 2) Ability to effectively organize stakeholder consultations. 3) Skills in creating comprehensive and actionable project implementation plans that align with project objectives. 4) Ability to develop a long-term vision and strategic goals. 5) Ability to work on tools that can help to improve the efficiency and timely delivery of the project. 6) Proficiency in conducting thorough research, including literature reviews, case studies, and field research. 7) PMP/PRINCE2/ ISO21500 certification. SCHEDULE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT The consultant will be appointed on a contract basis for a period of 24 Months. REMUNERATION AND OTHER BENEFITS 1) The consultant will receive remuneration as per the scope of work defined and based on the World Bank guidelines applicable to individual consultants for this position. 2) Travel expenses as approved by the World Bank and the Government of Pakistan. 3) This is a consulting-based appointment and does not offer medical or other benefits. REPORTING OBLIGATIONS 1) This position is based in Islamabad, Pakistan. 2) The Consultant will report to the Program Director PMU through the Telecom Wing of Ministry of IT & Telecom. 3) The consultant is required to follow working days and timings as per the directives of the Federal Government of Pakistan. 4) The consultant shall provide all necessary reports, progress updates, and program documentation to the Program Director on agreed timelines. 5) The consultant is required to report to work in official attire. 6) The consultant shall ensure that all required reports are prepared on time in accordance with World Bank requirements. SELECTION CRITERIA Procurement will be carried out in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants in accordance with the World Bank’s “Procurement in Investment Project Financing, Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Fifth Edition, September 2023” (“Procurement Regulations”).