the Development of National Safe Internet Guidebook

Client of United Nation careers

I. GENERAL SCOPE Safe internet use has become a global public policy priority as digital connectivity expands across all aspects of economic and social life, while exposure to cyber risks, misinformation and online harm continues to rise. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) tracks countries commitment to cybersecurity through the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), which assesses legal, technical, organizational, capacity building and cooperation measures, highlighting wide gaps between and within regions. At the same time, the World Economic Forum (WEF) reports that nearly 70% of surveyed users globally experienced online risks such as cyberbullying, fraud or misinformation in a single year, underlining the societal costs of unsafe digital environments . In the Arab region, ESCWA notes that rapid growth in internet penetration and e government has not always been matched by cybersecurity awareness, child online protection frameworks, and robust digital trust mechanisms, making safe internet use a critical enabler of inclusive digital transformation . At the global level, the UN advances safe, inclusive and rights based internet use through processes such as the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the UN Global Digital Compact, which emphasize digital trust, cybersecurity and protection of users online. Specialized agencies, notably the ITU, support Member States through global benchmarks (such as the GCI), technical assistance, and capacity building on cybersecurity and child online protection. Within the Arab region, ESCWA plays a central role by developing regional strategies like the Arab Digital Agenda 2PHONE_NUMBER and convening policy dialogues to strengthen digital trust and safe internet frameworks. ESCWA, often jointly with ITU, also implements concrete initiatives such as regional workshops, the Accessible Arab Region: ICT for All series , and advisory work on national strategies to help countries mainstream online safety, digital inclusion and user protection into their digital policies. A comprehensive safe internet guidebook in Jordan would directly support national socio economic development by enhancing trust in digital services, accelerating e commerce, and protecting vulnerable groups such as children and youth. International evidence shows that stronger cybersecurity and online safety frameworks are associated with more resilient digital economies and higher adoption of online public and private services. For Jordan, where digital transformation is a pillar of the Economic Modernization Vision, a safe internet environment would encourage investment, innovation and job creation in ICT enabled sectors, while reducing the economic losses associated with cybercrime. It would also reinforce social outcomes such as safer online learning, wider participation of women and youth in the digital economy, and improved quality of life contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to education, decent work and institutions. Recently, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE) in Jordan requested UN-ESCWA s assistance in developing the national safe internet guidebook, while aligning it with Jordan s national AI Strategy 2PHONE_NUMBER and the country s Digital Transformation Strategy 2PHONE_NUMBER. The provision of this advisory service is the subject of these terms of reference. III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The consultant shall propose to the designated ESCWA focal point a detailed version of the national safe internet guidebook. To produce the draft doc, the consultant is requested to conduct, among others, the main following tasks: 1. Review the national digital documents and the existing policies in Jordan related to digital transformation, innovation, digital technologies, and other related national plans; 2. Review best regional and international best practices related to safe internet guidebooks and road maps (at least 2 selected regional and 2 international cases); 3. Identify main national stakeholders, hold, in coordination with MoDEE team, interviews and meetings with the main national stakeholders and realising minutes of each meeting/interview summarizing the discussed points, their remarks, observations and proposals; 4. Contribute to sectoral workshops to discuss needs and priorities, if needed; 5. Prepare the needed guidebook based on international/regional best practices, gap analysis, and national needs (SWOT analysis). In addition, the consultant would also ensure the following activities: (1) Contribute to national workshop (physically or remotely) and capture the main comments and discussions. (2) Update the draft proposal according to all received feedback and comments during the reviewing process by ESCWA and MoDEE teams. ESCWA promotes gender equality and integration of youth through its publications and therefore the consultant should pay attention, with the help of ESCWA staff, to gender considerations and youth dimension throughout the research work to ensure that the report gives equal attention to the needs of both men and women, as well as girls and boys. Writing should use gender-sensitive language.