DT Global Inc. is implementing the United States Agency for International Development/Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI)-funded Transition to New Sudan (TNS) Program, which supports the consolidation of Sudan’s democratic transformation through the following objectives: 

1. Enabling the government to demonstrate progress in implementing key transition processes;
2. Reinforcing civic engagement required to implement key transition processes; and, 
3. Assisting in the expansion of independent media that serves as a platform to implement key transition processes.

To contribute to these objectives, DT Global is recruiting a Data Governance and Privacy Specialist Consultant to support the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in the development of a pilot Family Support initiative. 

The government of Sudan is working to put Sudan on a path to sustainable, equitable, and broad-based peace and prosperity.  A key element of this program is a shift from an economy focused on short-term consumption to one that focused on investment in people and productive capacity.  Ordinary people are the foundation of Sudan’s revolution and will always be the foundation of its economic and social achievements.

No sustainable improvements in human capital and productive capacity are possible, however, in the presence of policy distortions that result from economic mismanagement of the Sudanese economy by the past regime, including multiple exchange rates, the deterioration of the Sudanese pound, chronic budget deficits, significant misallocation of public resources, and chronic inflation that exceeded 65% in early 2020.  Chronic inflation undermines the wages of the poor and middle class, increases inequality and economic uncertainty that limits investment in productive capacity.

Building on the international experience with successful reform, and mindful of Sudan’s longer-term strategic interests, the Government is designing the Sudan Family Support Program (SFSP).

The program will be pilot tested in the May-July timeframe, and a national rollout will depend on the results of the pilot tests, cost estimates, and other factors.

All digitization projects face key risks: exclusion, privacy, corruption and implementation failures.  The proposed program will collect and maintain sensitive information about individuals, which, without checks and balances, can be misused.  The use of biometric data for social protection creates risks around the leakage of personal data and the use of such systems for surveillance rather than empowerment.  Such risks threaten the freedom of Sudanese to think, communicate and associate freely, which are sacrosanct freedoms were central to the Revolution.  Such risks also include the power to include selectively include or exclude segments of the population from participation in the benefits of the state.

For digital identity systems to be effective, they must be trusted by individuals.  To be trusted by individuals, identity systems must be designed to empower people and give them control over how their personal data is used. This requires an investment in data privacy, security and effective governance. Such investments in user control and privacy increase participation, which drives success.

Objective

The objective of the consulting assignment is the development of a framework and set of rules for the governance of data within the program in a manner that increases the trust of citizens, and provides them with security, privacy, and control over how their data is used.  It also requires effective mechanisms to air and seek redress for grievances with how their information is used.  The broader objective is to set an example for other data-focused programs, and institutionalize good practice at the national level through data privacy law.

To achieve this objective, the consultant will support development of three institutional features of the program, leading to broader benefits for society at large.

1. The consultant will develop a policy framework and rules for the governance of data in the proposed Sudan Family Support Program (SFSP) in a manner that is consistent with good international practice on data governance and privacy referencing inter alia, the General Data Protection Regulation.

1. The framework will be developed after substantial consultation with key Ministries, academia, the private sector and communities, as well as a series of three workshops in which various issues are raised for public consultation.

2. The framework will be proposed to the project Task Force and/or Commission as a first draft, second draft and final draft, and the Consultant will incorporate feedback from Program leadership each round.  On the basis of this drafting process, the Consultant will present the final product 100 days after starting the assignment.

3. Using this framework, the consultant will provide inputs and guidance to project stakeholders developing technology solutions, including data capture, transmission and storage.  The consultant

2. The consultant will support establishment of a Digital Ethics Advisory Board including independent representatives of civil society, law and academia to govern the use of digital technology in government.  The Advisory Board membership will be proposed by the consultant but approved by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in consultation with other Program stakeholders.  The Advisory Board will meet on a monthly basis to review emerging designs, to review citizen feedback, and to provide guidance on policy or implementation changes required to ensure that the interests of people are served.

3. The consultant will work with program leadership and key stakeholders in the public and private sector on a draft Data Protection and Privacy Act, incorporating the blueprint for a Data Protection Authority to enforce the provisions of the Act.

1. The consultant will work closely with Ministry of Justice, Sudan ICT Advisory Group (SICTA), the Ministry of Higher Education, the private sector and lawyers. 
2. The Consultant will review and be cognizant of developments in the field of data governance and privacy elsewhere in Africa, and through relevant organizations such as the World Bank, UN Economic Commission for Africa, and Smart Africa.

Reporting

1. The Consultant will report to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.  Until such time as the Commission and Digital Transformation Agency is established to lead the program, the Consultant will report to Magdi M. Amin, Sr. Advisor, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. For administrative and contractual matters, the Consultant will report to DT Global as the contracting authority.

2. The Consultant will provide an inception reporting within two weeks of starting the assignment confirming the approach to execution of the task.

Terms and Conditions

1. The assignment will be funded through August 31 with the possibility to extend.

2. All materials developed in the course of the project and program will be the ownership of the Government of Sudan and will be considered confidential, not to be shared without the permission of the Government.

3. The assignment may be extended, terminated or modified should the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning determine that it is necessary, with a minimum notice period to the consultant of three weeks.

• A Masters degree in law, economics or business, plus five years of experience, including two years in Sudan.
• Fluency in English and Arabic
• A demonstrated understanding of technology policy, including data privacy.
• Familiarity with data governance and privacy laws and regulations proposed and implemented internationally, and particularly in Africa.
• Excellent organizational skills, time management, teamwork and able to operate collaboratively across organizational boundaries.