JOB DETAILS:

Background

Cyber School Technology Solutions (CSTS) is a leading provider of innovative educational services, delivering world-class solutions to enhance online learning environments worldwide. As a comprehensive hub for e-learning, content development, and communication solutions, CSTS collaborates with experienced educators and technologists globally to design and develop digital educational resources, learning portals, and learning management systems. These solutions aim to improve communication and provide easy access to syllabus-aligned Science and Mathematics lessons.

The Project: Cyber School Technology Solutions (CSTS) is implementing the “Uganda eLearning Initiative for Education Institutions Program. The aim is to improve access to quality and relevant education in selected Education Institutions (EIs), both Universities and TVETs, for the youth in these EIs to transition into dignified & fulfilling work. It is a 5-year program that commenced in January 2022.

Job Purpose

The Affordable Device and Internet Associate supports the implementation of affordable internet and device access initiatives under the Uganda eLearning Initiative by coordinating activities related to internet connectivity, digital devices, and assistive technologies. Working under the Programme Lead, Digital Learning Infrastructure, and in close collaboration with the Foundation-led device and internet working group and key stakeholders, the Associate ensures that students, instructors, refugees, persons with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged learners have equitable access to affordable connectivity, appropriate devices, and assistive software — enabling their full participation in digital learning and educational opportunities across partner Educational Institutions (EIs).

Objectives of the Role

The Affordable Device and Internet Associate is expected to:

• Coordinate the provisioning of quality, reliable, and affordable internet connectivity across target Educational Institutions in line with the approved phased bandwidth-capacity scheme.
• Support the timely procurement, distribution, and lifecycle management of devices, power solutions, and software licenses against the approved work plan.
• Advance digital inclusion by coordinating the supply of assistive technologies and supporting instructor training for learners with disabilities.
• Develop and maintain the agreements, frameworks, and quality-management plans that govern connectivity and device delivery.
• Safeguard data privacy, beneficiary protection (including child and PWD safeguarding), and compliance with organizational and donor requirements across all activities.

Key Functions

Key Results Areas (KRAs)

• Internet Connectivity & Access
  • Implement the phased bandwidth-capacity scheme across the 10 target TVETs in line with the agreed cost-share schedule.
  • Design and implement an internet quality-management plan; track internet quality and usage metrics.
  • Co-create the student internet survey and use findings to inform connectivity planning.
• Device Provision & Lifecycle Management
  • Coordinate procurement, supply, and distribution of devices, power back-ups, solar units, offline servers, laptops, and software-license renewals against the workplan.
  • Collaborate with the selected Device IP on efficient distribution and on a comprehensive warranty, repair, and replacement strategy.
  • Design and implement a device delivery and distribution quality-management plan.
• Assistive Technology & Digital Inclusion
  • Coordinate, with the Program Lead and Finance Manager, the procurement and distribution of assistive devices and software for learners with disabilities.
  • Support training and follow-up workshops for instructors in the use of assistive devices and technology.
  • Co-create, with PWD Implementing Partners, a framework for assistive-device warranty, repair, and replacement.
  • Support the Technical Working Group on the use of assistive technology across TVETs.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
  • Manage relationships with all identified stakeholders — Device IP, students, Educational Institutions, banks, telecom service providers, and suppliers.
  • Collaborate actively with the Foundation-led device and internet working group.
  • Develop and maintain professional links with ISPs and, through the M&E Officer, with the contracted M&E consultant for monitoring purposes.
• Compliance, Safeguarding & Risk Management
  • Ensure compliance with personal and institutional data-privacy requirements for all participants, aligned to GDPR standards.
  • Uphold child and PWD safeguarding in all engagements and instruments.
  • Support compliant procurement in coordination with the Program Lead and Finance Manager.
• Monitoring, Quality Assurance & Reporting
  • Plan and conduct monitoring and support-supervision visits to each TVET, including technical assessment of connectivity and devices.
  • Track and report on connectivity quality, usage metrics, and device functionality.
  • Prepare accurate, on-time field visits and progress reports.
  • Flag risks, variances, and bottlenecks early and propose corrective actions.

Critical Performance Indicators

Performance in the role is assessed against output- and quality-focused indicators aligned to the approved workplan, including:

• Connectivity coverage — % of the 10 target TVETs provisioned with quality, reliable connectivity and operating under the agreed phased bandwidth-capacity scheme (target 100% by scheduled milestone dates).
• Service quality and uptime — average internet availability across connected TVETs maintained at ≥ 95%, with connectivity incidents resolved or escalated within the agreed turnaround time.
• Infrastructure deployment — % of planned devices and power solutions (power back-ups, solar panel sets, offline servers, laptops) and software-license renewals procured, installed, and verified functional against workplan targets and dates (target 100%).
• Assistive technology provision — % of planned assistive devices and software procured and distributed to target TVETs against plan (target 100%; e.g., the eight planned reader devices and associated software).
• Inclusion training — number of instructors trained or refreshed in the use of assistive devices and technology against target (target ≥ 30; ≥ 3 per TVET), evidenced by documented training reports.
• Agreements and frameworks — % of required MoU components (institutions, parents/guardians, and students) and ISP / Device-IP frameworks, ToRs, and selection criteria developed, reviewed, and finalized on schedule (target 100%).
• On-time delivery — % of assigned workplan activities and milestones completed on or before their scheduled end dates (target ≥ 90%).
• Reporting timeliness and accuracy — % of field-visit, usage, and progress reports submitted on or before deadline (target 100%), with reported figures verifiable against source records.
• Monitoring and verification — % of planned monitoring / support-supervision visits completed with documented findings and action points (target 100%; ≥ 2 visits per TVET per the workplan).
• Quality-management plans — internet and device delivery/distribution quality-management plans developed, approved, and actively monitored (target: both plans in place and reviewed each quarter).
• Stakeholder satisfaction — satisfaction rating from Educational Institutions, ISPs, the Device IP, and beneficiaries on connectivity and device support (target ≥ 80% satisfied).
• Compliance and safeguarding — zero substantiated breaches of data privacy (GDPR-aligned), child- and PWD-safeguarding, and e-waste requirements; procurement and asset actions fully documented with a complete audit trail.

Collaboration with the Program Lead and Working Group

The Associate works under the direction of the Program Lead, Digital Learning Infrastructure, and in close coordination with the Foundation-led device and internet working group. In broad terms, the Program Lead and working group provide strategic direction, approvals, and quality assurance. At the same time, the Associate operationalizes connectivity, device, and assistive technology activities day-to-day and feeds field realities back into planning. The division of responsibilities is summarised below:

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, Business Administration, or a related field; training or certification in project management, ICT asset management, or digital inclusion is an added advantage.

Experience

• 3–5 years' proven experience in ICT project implementation, digital-inclusion programs, or related fields, including framework/policy development and contract management.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Computer hardware specifications and device lifecycle management.
• Connectivity technologies and ICT asset management.
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements in finance, education (especially Educational Institutions), ICT, and PWD inclusion.
• Awareness of data-privacy standards (GDPR) and experience with digital platforms.
• Strong report-writing skills and the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Core Competencies

• Effective communication, teamwork, and collaboration; values diversity.
• Integrity and professional ethics, including child and PWD safeguarding.
• Results-oriented, with a drive for change and innovation.
• Strong organization and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Reliability and sound problem-solving.