Enabler of ITU-D Priorities

ITU‑D will deliver the action plan through the enablers defined in the Kigali Action Plan. Enablers are ITU’s ways of working that allow it to deliver on its goals and priorities more effectively and efficiently. They reflect the Union’s values of efficiency, transparency and accountability, openness, universality and neutrality, and being people-centred, service-oriented and results-based, and leverage its key strengths and address its weaknesses so that it can support its membership.

Organization excellence

Enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness enables ITU to respond to changes in the telecommunication/ICT landscape and evolving membership needs, as well as enhanced understanding of local contexts and the ability to respond to countries’ needs effectively. ITU, therefore, aims to improve internal processes including project management processes and implementation capabilities and accelerate decision-making by addressing operational inefficiencies and duplication, reflecting the values of transparency and accountability.

ITU also recognizes the need to build operational effectiveness, by increasing cross-functional synergies, encouraging internal innovation, providing consistent guidance on the organization’s scope and developing a stronger performance and talent-management approach. To this end, the
organization continues to implement a transformation plan for culture and skills based on four main tracks: strategic planning, innovation including information technology (IT) systems and support services and human resource management. Organization excellence includes among others:

1) Membership-driven

ITU will continue to work as a membership-driven organization to effectively support and reflect the needs of its diverse members. ITU recognizes the needs of all countries, in particular developing countries, which should be prioritized and given due attention.

ITU will also work to deepen its engagement with representatives of the telecommunication/ICT and other industry sectors, to demonstrate ITU’s value
proposition in the context of the strategic goals to encourage increased engagement and new membership.

2) Regional presence

As an extension of ITU as a whole, the regional presence plays a vital role in the achievement of ITU’s mission, enhancing the Union’s understanding of local contexts and its ability to respond to countries’ needs effectively.The regional presence will consolidate strategic planning at the level of each ITU
regional or area office, implementing programmes and initiatives that are consistent with and based on the Union’s strategic goals and thematic priorities.

The regional presence will strengthen ITU’s position as a shaper/doer and enhance United Nations cooperation, to build enhanced regional opportunities and thereby reach more countries and define clearer, more impactful priorities for country-level engagements.

Efforts will also be made to strengthen capacity at the regional level to ensure the ability of the regional and area offices to implement the programmes and engagements determined based on the Union’s strategic goals and thematic priorities.

Regional implementation detailing an analysis of the progress, challenges and resource allocation shall be reported on an annual basis.

3) Project management

In fulfilling ITU’s dual responsibility as a United Nations specialized agency and executing agency for implementing telecommunication/ICT development projects under the United Nations development system or other funding arrangements, ITU‑D offers, organizes and coordinates technical cooperation assistance through regional initiatives and projects. ITU-D also undertakes monitoring and reporting of these regional initiatives and projects.

Strengthened project management capacity and implementation will ensure alignment with broader strategic plans and development outcomes, while introducing improved methods, tools and practices to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of project planning, execution, monitoring, and completion.

4) Support services

To ensure effective and efficient delivery of ITU-D’s mandate and programmatic work, essential administrative and operational functions will be prioritized. These foundational services from BDT enable smooth operations, enabling programme teams to focus on delivering results. These services include among others:

Communications (with members, promoting activities, etc.)

Fellowships

Event support

Document processing

Performance monitoring and reporting

Human resources and budget support

Overall coordination of ITU-D activities and coordination with the other ITU Sectors