Call for Expression of Interest Senior Policy and Programme Consultant - DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY, INNOV

Digital Sovereignty, Innovation and Human Capital Development

Duty Station                               Brussels, Belgium

Department                                Policies and Programmes

Contract Type                           Individual Consultancy

Duration                                      September 2026 – 31 January 2027

Closing Date                              24 August 2026 

Reporting Line                          The Consultant will report to the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery and work under the overall strategic guidance of the Assistant Secretary-General, Policies and Programmes.

1. About the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)

The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 79 Member States across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, representing more than 1.5 billion people. Guided by the Revised Georgetown Agreement, the PACTE Initiative, the Malabo Declaration and the Samoa Agreement, the Organisation promotes political dialogue, South-South and Triangular Cooperation, sustainable development and strategic partnerships to advance the collective interests of its Member States.

As part of its institutional transformation agenda, the Secretariat has established the Department of Policies and Programmes to strengthen policy leadership, programme delivery, strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation. The Department leads the Organisation's work across three strategic priorities:

• Economic Transformation and Sustainable Prosperity


• Climate Resilience and Sustainable Resource Management


• Digital Sovereignty, Innovation and Human Capital Development

Through this strategic architecture, the Department supports Member States in harnessing digital transformation, innovation and human capital as drivers of inclusive growth, institutional resilience, economic competitiveness and sustainable development.

2. Background

Rapid advances in digital technologies, artificial intelligence and innovation are transforming economies, governance systems, education and public service delivery across the world. While these developments present significant opportunities for sustainable development, they also create new policy, governance and capacity challenges for many OACPS Member States.

Recognising these opportunities, the OACPS has identified Digital Sovereignty, Innovation and Human Capital Development as one of the three strategic priorities underpinning its institutional transformation agenda. Through the Department of Policies and Programmes, the Organisation is strengthening its capacity to support Member States in building trusted digital ecosystems, promoting innovation, strengthening digital governance and investing in future-ready human capital.

To support the establishment of the Department during its initial operational phase, the Secretariat is seeking a Senior Policy and Programme Consultant to provide strategic and technical leadership for the Digital Sovereignty, Innovation and Human Capital Development portfolio. Working closely with the Assistant Secretary-General and the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery, the Consultant will contribute to flagship initiatives, strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation that strengthen the Organisation's support to Member States.

3. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide senior-level strategic, technical and programme management expertise to support the establishment and
operationalisation of the Digital Sovereignty, Innovation and Human Capital Development portfolio within the Department of Policies and Programmes.

The Consultant will contribute to the design and implementation of innovative policies, programmes and partnerships that strengthen digital transformation, trusted digital ecosystems, innovation, digital governance and human capital development. The assignment also includes supporting strategic partnerships, programme delivery and resource mobilisation to help position digital transformation as a catalyst for sustainable development, economic competitiveness and institutional resilience across OACPS Member States.

4. Why Join the OACPS?

This consultancy offers an opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a new Department that will play a central role in advancing the OACPS transformation agenda and supporting digital transformation across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Working directly with senior leadership, Member States and international partners, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Help shape the policy and programme direction of a newly established Department.


• Design innovative regional and international initiatives that strengthen digital transformation, innovation ecosystems and human capital development.


• Build strategic partnerships with governments, multilateral organisations, technology companies, universities, innovation hubs, development finance institutions, research organisations and the private sector.


• Contribute to international policy dialogue on digital sovereignty, artificial intelligence, digital governance, education, skills development and innovation.


• Leave a lasting institutional legacy by helping establish programmes, partnerships and knowledge platforms that strengthen digital resilience and innovation across OACPS Member States.

This assignment is suited to an experienced international development professional with a strategic outlook, strong technical expertise and a commitment to delivering practical and lasting development impact.

5. Scope of the Assignment

The Consultant will provide strategic and technical advisory services across the Digital Sovereignty, Innovation and Human Capital Development portfolio, supporting policy development, programme implementation and institutional strengthening.

The assignment will include support in the following areas:

• Digital sovereignty, trusted digital ecosystems and digital public infrastructure.


• Digital governance, artificial intelligence, data governance and digital public goods.


• Science, technology and innovation policy, research ecosystems and technology entrepreneurship.


• Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital skills and workforce transformation.


• Knowledge management, digital learning and innovation ecosystems.


• Strategic partnerships, resource mobilisation, programme design, results-based management and knowledge management.

The Consultant will also contribute to cross-cutting initiatives that strengthen collaboration, innovation and institutional performance across the Department's three strategic priority areas.

6. Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery, the Consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:

Strategic Policy Development

• Provide strategic advice on emerging digital, technological and innovation trends affecting OACPS Member States, and prepare policy briefs, analytical reports and strategic recommendations to inform policy and programme development.


• Support the development of common policy positions for regional and international engagement on digital governance, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and emerging technologies, drawing on global trends and evolving opportunities.

Programme Development and Delivery

• Lead the design of flagship programmes aligned with the Department's Strategic Architecture, including the preparation of programme concepts, logical frameworks, implementation plans and results frameworks.


• Provide technical support for programme implementation, performance monitoring and adaptive management to ensure the effective delivery of digital transformation and human capital initiatives.

Digital Sovereignty, Innovation and Human Capital Development

• Develop and support initiatives that strengthen digital sovereignty, trusted digital ecosystems, digital public infrastructure and digital governance across OACPS Member States.


• Advance policy and programme initiatives relating to artificial intelligence, data governance, digital public goods and emerging technologies that promote inclusive and sustainable development.


• Promote innovation ecosystems that strengthen research, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and collaboration between governments, academia, innovation hubs, development partners and the private sector.


• Support initiatives that improve education systems, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital skills development and workforce transformation to build future-ready human capital.

Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation

• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with governments, multilateral organisations, technology companies, universities, development finance institutions, research organisations, civil society and the private sector to advance the Department's priorities.


• Support the development of cooperation frameworks, partnership initiatives and collaborative programmes that promote innovation and digital transformation.


• Contribute to resource mobilisation through the preparation of funding proposals, investment concepts and donor engagement initiatives supporting digital transformation and human capital development.

Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning

• Produce technical guidance materials, policy products and knowledge resources that strengthen evidence-based decision-making, institutional learning and the dissemination of innovative practices across OACPS Member States.


• Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration that support digital innovation and organisational effectiveness.

Corporate Contributions

• Prepare briefing notes, presentations and strategic documentation for senior management.


• Represent the Department at technical meetings, consultations and partnership engagements, as delegated.


• Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives that strengthen organisational performance, collaboration and innovation.


• Perform any other duties assigned by the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery consistent with the objectives of the consultancy.

7. Deliverables and Performance Framework

The consultancy will be managed on the basis of agreed outputs and deliverables.

a. Inception Workplan - An inception workplan outlining the priorities, methodology and stakeholder engagement approach.

Timeframe: Within two weeks of commencement.

b. Policy and Technical Advisory Outputs - Policy briefs, strategic analytical papers and technical advice on digital sovereignty, innovation and human capital development.

Timeframe: Throughout the assignment.

c. Flagship Programme Concepts - Flagship programme concepts and implementation frameworks aligned with the Department’s Strategic Architecture.

Timeframe: Months 2–3.

d. Digital Transformation and Resource Mobilisation - Digital transformation initiatives, partnership concepts and resource mobilisation proposals.

Timeframe: Throughout the assignment.

e. Contributions to Departmental Activities - Contributions to departmental workplans, reports, presentations and briefing materials.

Timeframe: Ongoing.

f. Final Consultancy Report - A final consultancy report summarising the outputs, recommendations and proposed next steps.

Timeframe: End of the assignment.

The deliverables may be refined in consultation with the Head of Department to reflect evolving organisational priorities.

8. Reporting Arrangements

The Consultant will report directly to the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery.

Strategic direction and oversight will be provided by the Assistant Secretary-General, Policies and Programmes.

The Consultant will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Secretariat and maintain close engagement with Member States, development partners and other stakeholders as required.

Regular progress meetings will be held to review implementation, assess progress against agreed deliverables and identify emerging priorities.

9. Contract Details

• Contract Type: Individual Consultancy


• Duration: September 2026 – 31 January 2027


• Travel: International travel may be required in accordance with OACPS policies and operational requirements.


• Remuneration: A competitive consultancy fee will be offered commensurate with qualifications, experience and the scope of the assignment, in accordance with OACPS consultancy policies.

10. Academic Qualifications

Applicants must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in one or more of the following disciplines:

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)


• Computer Science


• Information Systems


• Digital Transformation


• Data Science


• Artificial Intelligence


• Innovation Management


• Science, Technology and Innovation Policy


• Education


• Human Capital Development


• Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)


• Public Policy


• International Development


• Business Administration


• Or another closely related discipline.

A doctoral degree in a relevant discipline will be considered an advantage.

Professional certification in Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, Programme and Project Management (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2 or MSP), Results-Based Management or related disciplines will be considered an asset.

Candidates should demonstrate a strong academic foundation that supports strategic policy development, programme design and implementation within the fields of digital transformation, innovation, education, human capital development and international development.

11. Professional Experience

Essential

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in digital transformation, digital governance, innovation, education, human capital development, science and technology, international development or a related field.


• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing digital transformation, innovation or human capital development programmes.


• Experience preparing policy papers, analytical reports, strategic briefs and programme concepts.


• Proven experience working with governments, regional organisations, multilateral institutions, development partners or international organisations.


• Experience developing strategic partnerships and supporting resource mobilisation initiatives.


• Strong knowledge of results-based management, monitoring, evaluation and organisational learning.


• Excellent analytical, communication and report-writing skills.

Desirable

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:

• Digital transformation, digital public infrastructure, digital governance, artificial intelligence and data governance.


• Science, technology and innovation policy, innovation ecosystems, technology entrepreneurship and research collaboration.


• Education reform, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital skills development and workforce transformation.


• Resource mobilisation, partnership development and South-South and Triangular Cooperation.


• Multilateral or intergovernmental organisations.

Experience supporting African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in advancing digital transformation, innovation and human capital development will be considered a distinct advantage.

12. Languages

The working languages of the OACPS Secretariat are English and French.

Applicants must possess an excellent command of one working language and a good working knowledge of the other.

Knowledge of Portuguese, Spanish or another official language of an OACPS Member State will be considered an advantage.

13. Core Competencies

Professional Competencies

• Digital Transformation and Digital Governance


• Innovation and Technology Policy


• Programme Design and Implementation


• Education and Human Capital Development


• Partnership Development


• Resource Mobilisation


• Results-Based Management

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking


• Innovation


• Sound Judgement


• Accountability


• Integrity

Interpersonal Competencies

• Communication


• Negotiation and Influencing


• Relationship Management


• Collaboration and Teamwork


• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

14. Travel Requirements

International travel may be required in support of technical missions, regional consultations, programme implementation, partnership meetings and other official departmental activities, in accordance with OACPS policies and procedures.

15. Eligibility

This consultancy is open exclusively to nationals of Member States of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

Applicants must be citizens of an OACPS Member State and may be required to provide documentary evidence of nationality prior to appointment.

16. Evaluation and Selection Methodology

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of:

• Academic qualifications.


• Relevant professional experience.


• Technical knowledge and competencies.


• Quality and relevance of previous experience.


• Interview, where applicable.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

17. Application Requirements

Interested applicants are invited to submit:

Interested applicants should submit:

• A cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining their suitability for the consultancy.


• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.


• Contact details of three professional referees.


• Copies of relevant academic qualifications and professional certifications.

Closing Date: 23:59 Central European Time on 24 August 2026

Late applications will not be considered.

18. Conflict of Interest

Applicants must disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest that could affect the impartial performance of the assignment.

The successful Consultant will be expected to avoid any activity that may give rise to a conflict of interest throughout the duration of the consultancy.

19. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

All documents, information and materials produced or accessed during the consultancy shall remain the property of the OACPS and shall be treated as confidential.

The Consultant shall not disclose or use such information for any purpose other than the performance of the assignment without the prior written authorisation of the OACPS.

20. Reservation of Rights

The OACPS reserves the right to:

• Amend, suspend or cancel this Call for Expressions of Interest at any stage of the recruitment process.


• Make no appointment, appoint one or more candidates, or establish a roster of qualified consultants for future assignments.


• Verify information provided by applicants and request additional documentation where necessary.

The OACPS is committed to merit-based recruitment and equal opportunity and encourages applications from suitably qualified women and men from across its Member States.