Фонд Євразія шукає Радника(цю) із питань цифрових політик
ЗАВЕРШЕНО
Eurasia Foundation’s Digital Transformation Activity (DTA) requests proposals from qualified consultants to provide digital policy advice to the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT) of Ukraine. DTA is co-funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK International Development (UK Dev) and is implemented by Eurasia Foundation (EF).
Background
During the wartime period, facilitating communication, information sharing, and access to public services for citizens and businesses has become a vital responsibility for the Government of Ukraine (GoU). As the central authority overseeing digital initiatives, the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT) plays a crucial role in ensuring the resilience and continuity of essential public services.
As of February 2024, more than 20 million Ukrainians use Diia, the government’s super app. Diia is designed to present electronic images of state-issued documents that are legally acceptable forms of identification and to provide easy access to eServices for citizens and private entrepreneurs. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the Diia user base has expanded by 4.3 million users, representing a 27% increase. The increase is attributed to the fact that Diia provides easy access to high-priority digital services in wartime, including notifications of property that was damaged or destroyed as the result of Russia’s military actions, a simplified registration of unemployment status, an ability to cancel one’s unemployment status, and others. The Diia application also offers citizens access to other useful features, including a map highlighting invincibility points (warming stations in war-affected communities with electricity and basic supplies), information on military bonds, public polls, and more.
At the same time, the MDT continued to reaffirm Ukraine’s status as an international GovTech leader. For example, Ukraine has started cooperation with Ecuador and Armenia to share digital solutions from the Diia ecosystem, e.g., the Diia application, Diia.Engine, and others.
Additionally, the MDT is actively collaborating with European Union (EU) authorities, including the European Commission and the European Parliament, to align Ukraine with the EU Digital Single Market. In September 2022, Ukraine joined the Digital Europe program, with the aim of accelerating economic recovery and digital transformation in the country. Participation in this program will bring Ukraine closer to the EU’s Single Digital Market.
On January 17, 2024, as part of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the MDT, in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), hosted an event focused on Ukraine’s digital development. The event showcased the government’s experience in fostering digital development, including the WIN-WIN innovation development strategy, implementation of the Mriya project contributing to digital transformation in specific sectors, projects for customs clearance in Diia, and efforts to enhance transparency in customs operations. The event was also marked by the announcement of a new GovTech center in Kyiv. The center will be opened by the MDT in partnership with WEF and will be the second of its kind globally, following the first such center, which will open soon in Berlin. These initiatives demonstrate Ukraine’s commitment to digital advancement and its emerging leadership in GovTech innovation.
Scope of Work
To facilitate the MDT’s collaboration with European institutions and organizations active in the digital and innovation sectors, the Ministry requires ongoing policy advice and guidance. The Digital Policy Advisor will be asked to assist the MDT promote its policy priorities on the EU stage, foster collaboration with European institutions, and advocate for policies aligned with Ukraine’s digital development goals. The responsibilities of the Digital Policy Advisor are presented in detail below.
By facilitating Ukraine’s participation in international digital initiatives, the Digital Policy Advisor will contribute to the following outcomes:
- Increased access to international digital initiatives provides Ukraine with invaluable opportunities to collaborate with global partners, share best practices, and leverage expertise to enhance its digital infrastructure and capabilities.
- Participation in international programs enables Ukraine to align its digital policies and regulations with European standards, fostering greater compatibility, interoperability, and integration with the broader European digital ecosystem.
- Engaging in international digital initiatives enhances Ukraine’s visibility and credibility on the global stage, positioning it as a proactive and innovative player in the digital arena.
- Accessing international grants through participation in digital initiatives can support Ukraine’s digital transformation efforts, providing essential funding for digital infrastructure development, capacity building, and innovation projects.
This project contributes to EF DTA Year 1 (Y1) Initial Implementation Plan (IIP): Intervention 3.4; Sub-Intervention 3.4.3: Organization of periodic multi-stakeholder forums for public participation in digital policy formulation and oversight; Task 3: EF, EEF and BRDO will offer expert policy support to the MDT in developing policy documents to regulate various sectors as part of Ukraine’s integration into the EU Digital Single Market (e.g., policy documents to regulate the transborder mobility of online services, aligning Ukraine’s legislation with EU standards to simplify permit rules and conditions for telecommunication services); Task 5: EF and EEF will support the participation of GoU representatives and Ukrainian nonprofits in study trips and international digital policy events, e.g., Open Government Partnership Global Summit, the International Anti-Corruption Conference, others.
Activities
In an advisory capacity to the MDT, the Digital Policy Advisor will support Ukraine’s digital transformation efforts, improve the design and implementation of its innovation and economic growth policies (e.g., the Win-Win Strategy), promote the MDT’s policy priorities on the EU stage, and facilitate Ukraine’s participation in international digital initiatives.
In addition to fostering collaboration with European institutions and advocating for policies that align with Ukraine’s digital development goals, the Advisor will also be responsible to engage with businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and think tanks to enhance awareness and garner support for Ukraine’s digital transformation initiatives, emphasizing the mutual benefits of collaboration. The Advisor will be expected to facilitate dialogue and partnerships between Ukrainian authorities and EU officials as well as with representatives of European businesses and NGOs, ensuring that Ukraine’s perspectives and priorities are effectively communicated and integrated into regional and international discussions on digital policy and innovation.
The Advisor’s policy recommendations, advocacy, and outreach aim to establish Ukraine as a key player in the global digital landscape and to foster strategic alliances for shared growth and success.
Specific Tasks
- Work directly with the MDT leadership team and assist in drafting strategy documents, consult on European digital policies and experience, and present best practices in Europe, the USA, and other digitally advanced regions/countries.
- Meet with national and international stakeholders to advance Ukraine’s digital transformation priorities and solicit their engagement and support.
- Contribute to preparing policy papers, reports, and research as well as the publicity efforts to promote their findings and recommendations.
- Consult on EU integration matters and international relations related to digital policy, facilitate cooperation with European partners, and advocate for Ukraine’s digital reforms in the EU.
- Support implementation of Ukraine’s Win-Win strategy, elaborate actions plans for priority policy directions, and promote Ukraine as a reliable country at international venues.
Deliverables and Time Estimates
The performance period for this assignment is twelve (12) months at 50% level of effort (LOE). Deliverables for the contract period include the following:
- Strategy/White Paper on digital policy for the MDT drafted
- Schedule of events at which the Advisor will assist/support the ministry’s high-level representation at international venues or will present positions directly on behalf of the ministry (schedule to be presented and approved monthly)
- Provide weekly consultations to the MDT’s Euro-integration team to support the ministry’s Euro-integration initiatives
- Provide policy support to the initiative establishing centers of digital excellence in Ukraine together with European partner(s) (at least 1 center established by the end of the performance period)
- Facilitate meetings to help establish partnerships between the MDT, other European governments, and private sector companies (at least 3 partnerships established by the end of the performance period)
- Elaborate and/or further refine telecommunications policies and joint implementation projects, especially those outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the MDT and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia
- Further develop partnership initiatives in digital literacy and skills with the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and other relevant EU institutions
- Review Ukraine’s legal approximation with EU legislation in the digital field, such as the NIS2 Directive (EU Directive 2022/2555), the Digital Market Act, the Digital Services Act, and the AI Act, and assist with policy and/or legislative synchronization
- Assist with the selection of experts from the EU and the USA to provide lectures on digital skills and cybersecurity
- Promote the successes of Ukraine’s digital transformation and innovation among European partners and the USA
Selection Criteria
The consultant will be chosen through a competitive selection process. The decision on the winning application will be determined by a selection committee comprised of specialists from EF DTA and the MDT based on an assessment of the applicant’s proposal in comparison to other submissions.
The selection committee will use the following criteria to select the winning application:
- Experience working in the public policy sector and digital policy
- Deep knowledge of EU policy, EU integration, reform processes, and digital transformation
- Demonstrated capacity to advise senior political leadership working for the executive and parliamentary bodies
- Proven experience designing national strategies, including facilitating participatory processes with private sector and non-governmental stakeholders
- Outstanding writing, editing, and presentation skills
Apply
Interested applicants should submit the following:
- Detailed CV or resume
- Cover letter explaining how their experience and skills make them well-suited to the assignment described above
- Daily rate in USD
- Three professional references
Any questions regarding this opportunity or the application process should be directed to Sid Bagri, Program Associate, [email protected].
All parts of the application must be assembled in a single document and must be submitted via EF’s online platform. Only applications submitted via the online platform will be considered. Applications are due no later than March 18, 2024.
