Digital ID and e-Signature Specialist Consultant for Zambia's Digital Acceleration Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (Curriculum Vitaes – CVs) (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION) COUNTRY : Zambia NAME OF PROJECT : The Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: P505094 Name of Implementing Agency: Smart Zambia Institute (SZI) Position: Digital ID and e-Signature Specialist Reference No .: ZM-SZ-488447-CS-INDV The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has received financing from the International Development Association of the World Bank to accelerate country-wide digital transformation. The “Digital Zambia Acceleration Project” (henceforth referred to as the ‘the project’) will drive digital transformation throughout the country by enhancing access to technology and improving service delivery. The project will address key barriers that hinder demand for digital services, such as inadequate digital infrastructure, low digital literacy rates, access to digital devices and affordability issues. The project in addition, will enable Zambia to leverage critical enabling digital platforms and data-driven solutions to improve the efficiency of public service delivery and expand the adoption of digitally enabled services. The Project is coordinated through the Electronic Government Division (EGD) – Smart Zambia Institute (SZI). A dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) has been set up and operationalized at SZI with the overall responsibility of supporting project implementation. SZI seeks to hire a high-performing and qualified Digital ID and e-Signature Specialist, as an individual consultant who will provide advisory services to the PIU, SZI and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security to lead the design, implementation, and strategic deployment of Zambia’s Digital ID system and secure e-signatures. The objective is to revolutionize public and private sector service delivery by enhancing identity authentication, security, and digital transactions. The specialist will work directly under the Director of ICT at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security (MoHAIS) to oversee the successful rollout and rapid adoption of Digital ID and e-signatures. This role requires an individual with extensive experience in technology systems implementation, government advisory, and digital identity solutions at a national level. Duties and Responsibilities The specialist will be responsible for leading the implementation of the Digital ID system and secure e-signatures, ensuring interoperability, trust, and user adoption. Specific responsibilities include: Strategic Leadership & Implementation

• Lead the national rollout of Zambia’s Digital ID System and e-Signatures, ensuring alignment with global best practices and regulatory frameworks.
• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for Digital ID and e-signatures adoption, ensuring scalability, security, and long-term sustainability.
• Assess and optimize existing ID systems, harmonizing registries to improve efficiency, accuracy, and interoperability.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance by advising on policies, data protection, and privacy frameworks governing Digital ID and e-signatures.
• Promote innovation by identifying use cases to strengthen identity verification processes.

Technical Expertise & Advisory

• Conduct a SWOT analysis of existing foundational and functional ID registries, identifying key barriers to adoption and implementation challenges.
• Provide expert advisory services on designing a resilient Digital ID ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration with key government services and private sector applications.
• Identify opportunities for registry alignment and harmonization, ensuring interoperability across different government platforms.
• Develop and implement data governance strategies, ensuring secure and ethical management of citizen data.
• Establish a risk management framework to mitigate cybersecurity threats, fraud risks, and identity theft.

Stakeholder Engagement & Institutional Capacity Building

• Manage high-level stakeholder relationships, fostering cross-government collaboration and public-private partnerships.
• Act as the liaison between MoHAIS and SZI, ensuring smooth coordination of Digital ID and e-signature implementation efforts across government institutions.
• Develop institutional capacity by assessing skills gaps and designing training programs for government officials and private sector stakeholders.
• Lead public awareness and citizen engagement initiatives, ensuring widespread adoption and trust in the Digital ID system.
• Provide expert advisory support on policy development, digital transformation strategies, and digital ID regulations.
• Facilitate cross-government coordination to align Digital ID initiatives with national e-governance programs.

Qualifications and Experience The ideal candidate should have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10+ years of proven experience in digital identity implementation, e-signature solutions, and large-scale technology system deployments.
• Experience in advising senior government officials on digital identity ecosystems, public sector innovation, and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven knowledge of multi-registry integration, identity verification technologies (biometrics, cryptography, PKI), and cybersecurity best practices.
• Experience working on Digital ID & e-signature systems at a national or regional level, particularly in emerging markets.
• Strong understanding of digital transformation strategies, interoperability frameworks, and e-governance solutions.

The job profiles, roles and responsibilities and reporting requirements of the said consultant (Terms of Reference) for the assignment can be accessed from the following link: Https://www.szi.gov.zm/?page_id=4589 and can also be obtained following written request to the address indicated below . The SZI now invites eligible Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services by submitting Expressions of Interest (EOI). Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are educational qualification and experience (general & specific). A Consultant will be selected using Open International Selection” in accordance the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 - 5th edition revised September 2023 “Procurement Regulations”. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 hours to 13:00 hours and 14:00 hours to 17:00 hours Central African Time (CAT) or by email. Expressions of Interest must be delivered in written form and deposited in the tender box at the address below (in person) or electronically submitted via the following link: dzap_procurements@grz.gov.zm by Friday, 16th January, 2026 at 10:00 hours CAT to the address indicated below: The National Coordinator Office of the President, E-Government Division, SMART Zambia Institute, Corner of Nationalist Road and Independence Avenue P.O. Box 31998, Lusaka, ZAMBIA. City: Lusaka ZIP Code: 10101 Country: Zambia Telephone: +260-211-254478, 253438, 253652, 254599, 254657 Agency: SMART ZAMBIA Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 60000.0 USD