The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) is seeking a senior telecom policy and strategy consultant to oversee key digital connectivity and fiberization reforms under the World Bank-assisted Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP).
The consultant will play a central role in supervising the development of a Single Window Right of Way (RoW) Portal and the National Fiberization Policy and Operational Plan, besides advising the government on telecom taxation, affordability, infrastructure resilience and Pakistan’s positioning as a regional digital connectivity hub.
According to the terms of reference, DEEP is aimed at enhancing the government’s capacity to deliver digitally enabled public services to citizens and businesses. The project also supports digital public infrastructure, including responsible data exchange, digital authentication, verifiable credentials and digitisation of public services.
MoITT is the sponsoring agency, with execution support from the Board of Investment, National Database and Registration Authority, National IT Board and Ignite – National Technology Fund. The ministry is also implementing the National Fiberization Policy and Plan to expand fixed broadband access, increase tower fibreisation and strengthen nationwide digital connectivity.
The proposed consultant will provide technical oversight to a firm separately engaged by MoITT under DEEP for the RoW portal and National Fiberization Policy and Plan.
A key responsibility will be to facilitate the development and commissioning of an online Single Window RoW Portal, aimed at streamlining the process for obtaining no-objection certificates (NOCs) for telecom infrastructure. The system will integrate RoW agencies, re-engineer business processes, enable online NOC issuance and, where applicable, facilitate secure online payment of fees.
The portal will also include complaint and case management mechanisms, interactive dashboards and real-time information on applications, approvals, payments and complaints.
The consultant will supervise a gap assessment, including GIS mapping, and ensure that major RoW owners are brought onto the platform.
Another major assignment will involve overseeing the preparation of a comprehensive National Fiberization Policy and Operational Plan, including an actionable roadmap, milestones, resource allocation and feasibility workstreams.
The policy is expected to examine regulatory, technical and financial aspects of fibre-optic infrastructure development, benchmark Pakistan against peer countries and identify investment opportunities and challenges.
The consultant will also advise the government on measures to improve telecom affordability and generate demand, from both operator and consumer perspectives. In addition, the assignment includes an analytical review of the telecom taxation regime and proposals for policy, regulatory and fiscal reforms aimed at reducing service costs, improving ease of doing business and promoting sector growth.
The consultant will further support international cooperation with governments, development partners, international financial institutions and industry stakeholders, including knowledge exchange, technical cooperation and benchmarking against international best practices.
The assignment also carries a strategic objective of strengthening Pakistan’s telecommunications infrastructure resilience and helping position the country as a regional digital connectivity hub, while supporting data sovereignty, Data Embassies and cross-border digital connectivity initiatives.
The consultant will be required to have at least 16 years of education in electrical, computer, electronics, telecom, IT or a relevant field and 18 years of professional experience, preferably in telecom, ICT or the digital sector.
The position is based in Islamabad and the consultant will report to the Programme Director, Project Management Unit, through MoITT’s Telecom Wing.
The consultant will be appointed on a contract basis until July 31, 2028, with procurement to be conducted under the World Bank’s applicable regulations for selection of individual consultants.
