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.
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Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Consultant - Pakistan
Vacancy notice no: 2339
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: Starting date ASAP for 8 months
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 22 June 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.
The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) adopted Resolution 91 (Baku, 2025) on “Artificial intelligence technologies in telecommunication development”. Additionally, ASP2 a core Regional Initiative set by ITU was adopted for Asia-Pacific, to harness Telecommunications/ Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) to support inclusive and sustainable digital transformation and ASP 4 to enable an innovative and sustainable telecommunication/ ICT sector.
In line with this resolution, the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific is seeking a national consultant to provide technical assistance and capacity building on Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives, policies, standards, and frameworks to Pakistan, as well as coordination with United Nations agencies and stakeholders.
Under the direction of the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, and in coordination with relevant staff from the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the consultant will perform the following activities:
- Identify, map and analyse ongoing artificial intelligence and digital transformation initiatives of the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations system, including relevant policies, programmes and projects, and assess key gaps, challenges and opportunities.
- Design and support the delivery of strategic technical assistance and capacity-building activities on artificial intelligence and/or digital transformation for Pakistan, including identifying potential synergies and linkages with ITU initiatives and United Nations Country Team (UNCT) programmes.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations on policy, institutional, technical and capacity enablers, and propose a roadmap to accelerate the adoption and deployment of artificial intelligence in support of inclusive and sustainable digital transformation in Pakistan.
- Coordinate and liaise with the Government of Pakistan, United Nations agencies, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders in Pakistan on artificial intelligence and digital transformation initiatives, including initiatives related to digital innovation ecosystems, to ensure coherence, alignment and complementarity.
- Contribute technical expertise to capacity-building activities, stakeholder consultations, workshops and or technical dialogues related to AI governance, standards, and digital innovation ecosystems in Pakistan, including preparation of technical inputs, facilitation support and documentation of outcomes.
- Comprehensive analytical report on the state of artificial intelligence in Pakistan, including:
- Mapping and analysis of existing AI and digital transformation policies, initiatives and programmes.
- Assessment of institutional, technical, regulatory and capacity gaps and challenges.
- Identification of current and future needs for technical assistance and capacity building.
- Practical, evidence-based recommendations and a proposed roadmap to accelerate the adoption and deployment of AI in support of inclusive digital transformation.
- Monthly progress reports, summarizing activities undertaken, key findings, stakeholder engagements, progress against the workplan, challenges or risks encountered, and planned next steps, outlining progress.
The intellectual property of all materials and copyrights, including the draft material and concepts/ideas, developed by the consultant under this assignment will be exclusively vested with ITU.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and implement digital transformation / ICT projects.
- Ability to conduct research. and generate insights on subjects related to artificial intelligence and socioeconomic development.
- Knowledge of the United Nations and the Government of Pakistan frameworks on artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
- Excellent report writing and communication skills.
Education:
University degree in sciences, mathematics, engineering, data science, computer sciences, computer engineering, economics, social sciences, business administration, or a related field OR education from a reputed college of advanced education, with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of a university degree in one of the fields above. An advanced degree would be an advantage.
Experience:
At least seven (7) years of experience in the field of AI and related technologies related to the field of the Special Service Agreement (SSA). Experience in implementing digital transformation projects for socioeconomic development in Pakistan would be an advantage.
Languages:
Knowledge of English and Urdu at advanced level.
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.
