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United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS):
A Legacy


5 September 2000

UNITeS Pre-Launch Phase First Assignments

[Benin] - [Bhutan] - [Botswana] - [Burundi] - [Central African Republic] - [Ecuador]
[India] - [Jordan] - [Mongolia] - [Namibia] - [South Africa] - [Tanzania]

The posts below refer to new assignments under the UNITeS umbrella for which resources were mobilized since April 2000, when UNITeS was announced in the Millennium Report. The first assignment commenced on 1 August, in India.
As of 5 September, the following assignments were identified and programmed. Except where noted, the Volunteers are already on site:

  • 19 international Volunteers
  • 18 national Volunteers
  • Benin

    readDescription of assignments
    In collaboration with the Government of Benin, which intends to gradually build a national network of information and a mechanism of information coordination (Intranet-like) through interlinking nine (9) hubs from different sectorial activities -called 'Groupes Homogènes' ('GH') that will play the role of e-information focal points in their own sector. All the UNITeS Volunteers are information services specialists, and will participate in the strenghtening of their specific GH human and institutional capacities, in order to implement a strategy of Information Management.
    One international UNITeS Volunteer based in cybercenter 'Azur Communication', Parakou and in 'Télécentre communautaire', Malanville, under the umbrella of Groupe Homogene 6 (NGOs and Development Associations).
    One international UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 2' (Ministry of Governmental Cooperation and Action, Planification, Development and Employment Promotion).
    One national UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 3', Environment and Rural Development.
    One national UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 6', NGOs and Development Associations.
    One national UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 7', Media, Culture, Arts and Tourism.
    One national UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 9', Health and Social Development.

    Comments
    Largest initiative served by UNITeS in Africa so far.
    International Volunteers from Cameroon and Guinea
    Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund

    Bhutan

    readDescription of assignments
    In collaboration with the Government of Bhutan, who has launched a comprehensive strategy to introduce the use of ICTs in many of its official insitutions and for provision of information to the public. These volunteers will be working in the context of a new project focused on institutional strengthening and fraining, sponsored by Japan.
    One international UNITeS Financial Management Training specialist, located at the Royal Institute of Management. The Volunteer (1) assists in National IT curriculum development and design of syllabus for IT related training within the country; (2) supports the Institute's priority objective of designing and delivering Computer Based Training (CBT) in all courses especially in the area of Financial and Information Management.
    One international UNITeS ICT Curriculum specialist at Sherubtse College. The volunteer (1) supports activities for institutional strengthening in computer sciences and application; (2) works on strengthening human resources through staff training; (3) provides technical expertise in software applications; (4) trains designated College staff in effective delivery of ICT extension courses; (5) provides guidance and support in the overall management of the Computer Lab/Centre.

    Comments
    International Volunteers from Malta (expected in October) and Australia (expected in November)
    Additional assignments for UNITeS volunteers in the project (under recruitment):
    - One international ICT for Development specialist
    - Three international LAN/WAN specialists
    - One international ICT Training specialist
    Source of funding for all: Government of Japan

    Botswana

    readDescription of assignments
    Together with the World Links for Development Programme, a World Bank programme that links thousands of students and teachers in secondary schools in developing countries with their counterparts in industrialized countries and elsewhere, for collaborative research, teaching and learning programs, using ICT. One international UNITeS ICT technical specialist assisting in the technical coordination strategy for all the WorLD schools in the country. Establishes a timeline for operations. Sets communication links between regions and identifies equipment and connectivity options.

    Comments
    International Volunteer from Zimbabwe.
    A team of 4 national volunteers under recruitment , to train teachers and help them bring ICT tools into the regular curriculum.
    Source of funding for all: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund

    Burundi

    readDescription of assignments
    In collaboration with the initiative from Government of Burundi and UNDP to undertake an "e-readiness" assessment to determine the present and potential enabling environment for the integration of ICT in the national development process in terms of infrastructure, capacity and policies.
    One international UNITeS ICT policy specialist is working together with a Burundian colleague in this consultancy in the context of the above mentioned "e-readiness" study. This study, commissioned by the Burundian government through UNDP, will help the national authorities and its international partners to have an exact vision of the needs and potentials for IT-development in the country. The Volunteer helps the Burundian National Steering Committee prepare a needs assessment and will subsequently support activities necessary to formulate a national strategy. He will further contribute to setting up a Knowledge Management Unit in the UNDP office.

    Comments
    This is a short term assignment, initially set at 3 months, of a consulting nature. It was the first UNITeS Volunteer in Africa (started on 16 August).
    International Volunteer from Madagascar.
    Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund

    Central African Republic

    readDescription of assignments
    Supporting the University of Bangui, which is seeking to strengthen its capacity to provide high-quality IT education to a growing number of students that demand it, as well as update its own internal and public information mechanisms. One international UNITeS network specialist will be responsible for supporting (1) the management of the IT-network of the university; (2) the connectivity of the university to the Internet; (3) the establishment of a university website; (4) the design and implementation of a training plan for national counterparts at the university.

    Comments
    International Volunteer from Togo.
    Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund.
    An ICT Lecturer in the University of Bangui's Department of Information Technology is also sought as a UNITeS Volunteer.

    Ecuador

    readDescription of assignments
    A new Ecuador-Peru Binational Border Zone Development Plan has been established to improve the economy and stability of the border zones between the two countries. People in these zones have suffered the consequences of various military conflicts for disputed territories in the past.
    One international UNITeS information services specialist is assisting in setting up an interactive information system supporting the Binational Plan. The Volunteer has been given the tasks to (1) help in setting up relational databases, connect to the Internet, and develop web sites; (2) involve local people and CBOs in the use of the systems; (3) work with counterparts for frequent updating of the information; (4) assist in developing a communications strategy for peoples on both sides of the border; (5) train local government workers.

    Comments
    International Volunteer from Haiti
    Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund

    India

    readDescription of assignments
    In collaboration with the Government of the state of Orissa and UNDP. A new project has been launched in Orissa to use ICT in the rehabilitation effort after the devastation brought by Super Cyclone 99. ICT tools to bring in transparency, accountability and much desired efficient response mechanism in the entire rehabilitation initiative. Also facilitation information provision and coordination for the many agencies active there. The project will set up 8 Blocks along the coastline, where rehabilitation work is most extensive, with small information units which will be connected to the Internet.
    One national UNITeS ICT technical specialist is primarily involved in the supervision of NUNV IT Facilitators assigned for the 8 Blocks taken for integrated development. The Volunteer (1) is part of the Inter-sectoral team at the UN House in Orissa; (2) works closely with all the District/Block Administrations with the responsibility for implementation of IT installation and networking projects; (3) installs appropriate software, and develops training modules for community leaders; (4) assists in the connection of all 8 Blocks to the State Administration and UN House, and develops appropriate systems for connectivity and e-administration.
    Seven national UNITeS ICT facilitators primarily assist the ICT technical specialist in setting up the information units in each block. They (1) work closely with the block administration to prepare a village-wise rehabilitation plan and also monitor the same; (2) access all relevant information available at the state level through the internet/network for use at the block level development activities; (3) assist in implementing software and training modules for the state/block government officials.

    Comments
    The national ICT technical specialist in Orissa was the first official UNITeS volunteer (in place on 1 August)
    The entire project is manned by UNITeS national Volunteers.
    Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund

    Jordan

    readDescription of assignments
    In collaboration with Government of Jordan and UNDP. Jordan is taking steps to integrate the use of ICT in national development programmes, in particular related to education and public information. One international UNITeS ICT for development specialist is undergoing a short consulting mission (2 weeks in early September) to:
    - Share his experience in the community telecenters (TACCs) UNDP project in Sharkeya, Egypt, in relation with the Jordanian initiative to establish new telecenters. Introduce potential roles of volunteers in telecenters in promoting ICT as tools for human development.
    - Explore with Jordanian authorities and UNDP other areas where volunteers can contribute substantively in ICT to the national development, including in ongoing major education programmes, support to SMEs, etc.

    Comments
    This UNITeS Volunteer currently serves as a UN Volunteer in the UNDP TACCs project in Egypt.
    2 national UNITeS Volunteers are being recruited to support the establishment of community telecenters in Jordan, expected in October.
    Source of funding for all: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund

    Mongolia

    readDescription of assignments
    Together with UNDP, which is undertaking a series of activities that will enhance the ICT capacities of students and the educated workforce by acculturating them to use ICT to solve real-life problems. Whether it will be the establishment or the encouraging of knowledge-based businesses, the enhancement of learning in the schools, or the obtaining of price and weather information by herders, UNDP is keen to expand the uses and opportunities of ICT to enhance the lives of people in Mongolia. One international UNITeS Electronic Content/Publishing specialist. The volunteer is responsible for passing on the knowledge of content creation to counterparts and other trainees. Planned to be working with Open Web Centre (NGO) and decentralisation projects where content creation is needed.
    One international UNITeS Network Specialist, responsible for building capacity of national technicians in designing, establishing and managing computer networks. Planned to be working with UNDP/APDIP Internetworking Academy, set at the Technical University.

    Comments
    International Volunteers from Fiji (expected in October) and Canada (expected in December)
    Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
    Additional assignments for UNITeS volunteers:
    - One international Science and Technology / Information Policy specialist
    - One international ICT Education Policy specialist
    - One international Business/Information Management specialist
    - One international Business/Information Management Project specialist
    - One international Information Dissemination specialist (for rural areas)

    Namibia

    readDescription of assignments
    Supporting the Enterprise Namibia Foundation, which provides a range of business development support services, including entrepreneurial and management training, technical assistance in business plan, business counseling and sub-contracting opportunities between small enterprises and large companies.
    One international UNITeS ICT technical specialist will assist counterparts at ENF (1) the design, installation and management of a comprehensive and effective Information System; (2) the implementation of a client tracking system for monitoring the operational performance of clients; (3) helping client companies to develop in-house MIS; (4) generating and analyzing information on programme activities.

    Comments
    International Volunteer from Kenya
    Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund

    South Africa

    readDescription of assignments
    In collaboration with SANGONeT, a non-profit internet service provider, which hosts and develops web-sites and makes available other sources of information to NGOs and CBOs.
    One international UNITeS ICT technical specialist will assist SANGONeT to provide services to its target beneficiaries and trains SANGONeT staff. Outreaches to poor communities to raise awareness of how ICTs can be used for practical purposes.

    Comments
    International Volunteer from Uganda.
    Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund

    Tanzania

    readDescription of assignments
    Assisting the Government of Tanzania, which is setting up a National ICT Council to expand access to ICT training and Internet use in the country.
    One international UNITeS programme specialist is working with the newly established Council, which is a joint venture of the Government, UNDP, and an e-think tank group. The Volunteer will (1) support the activities of the Council; (2) provide substantive advice to each member on ICT policies and strategies; (3) develop outreach activities to institutions and companies served by the Council.

    Comments
    International Volunteer from Finland.
    Source of funding: Government of Finland


     
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