Capacity Building: We deliver training programmes which enhance skills of technicians to become good leaders. Our two most popular courses are:
- Technology for Emergencies: A three-day course which focuses on the leadership and soft skills needed to deliver Technology and Connectivity in a disaster response setting. At the end of this course, a simulation exercise will be run to enable students to practice the new skills they have learnt in the training sessions.
This course has been designed to align with the core competencies set out by the training team at the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster.- ICT Manager Training: The ICT sector is well provisioned with a huge range of proprietary training packages and qualifications from Cisco, Microsoft and many others. But how do we equip great technicians to become ICT Managers?
This course focusses on the key skills needed to become a successful manager. During the two days training, we will focus on business partnering with senior stakeholders, explore important policies like cyber security, GDPR and embargos on technology. Asset management and procurement planning is another important topic to key the ICT estate functional. Budgeting for the ICT department is covered, and how to negotiate with suppliers to get the best deal. We will also look at ICT documentation and service delivery.
Both courses can be adjusted to align fully with the local context and policies / procedures for the organisation where the course is being delivered.
Connectivity & Networking: Good connectivity is an essential enabler for delivering digital programming or ICT4D. Our experts can design connectivity solutions for anywhere from urban settings to the remotest rural locations. We have even set up connectivity on a search and rescue ship!
Whether the connectivity source is fibre or from a satellite, we design local networks to be secure and free from harmful content, which is essential for settings such as classrooms.
We can also deploy to anywhere to set up connectivity and networks in both development and disaster response settings.
Disaster Response Preparedness: We have over two decades of experience responding to disasters. Mark Hawkins, our Principal Consultant has deployed to many disasters including the 2004 Aisa Tsunami, 2006 Pakistan Earthquake, 2008 Cyclone in Myanmar, 2010 Earthquake in Haiti, 2014 Ebola Response in Sierra Leone and supported the 2016 Search and Rescue project at Save the Children.
On the ground, we conduct a rapid assessment to establish requirements for Security Telecoms, connectivity and energy in the first days of deployment. As the response grows, we design and implement the technology needed to support the operation and digital programming. We can also coordinate with other partners such as Nethope and the ETC to share resources.
We can also support organisations to design and set up pre-positioned technologies, so they are ready when a crisis occurs.
Procurement support: We have significant experience in most field technologies such as satellite telecoms and connectivity, networks, renewable energy, networking, Radio Telecoms and much more. Some of these technologies do not fit into the traditional ICT portfolio.
For significant procurement activities like running RFPs or tenders, we can assist with the drafting of tender documents and sit on tender committees as independent technical experts.
Renewable Energy: At HTC International, we are passionate about reducing the impact caused by climate change. We strongly believe that we should be setting up our technologies to use renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Mark Hawkins has supported the delivery of renewable energy systems for Merlin and Save the Children in Liberia (203 clinics) and DRC (30 clinics). More recently Mark has set up the Renewable Energy Unit at Save the Children and played a key role in a project led Oxford University to build a low-cost wind turbine in Somalia.
Renewable Energy is a very important part of our portfolio, and we can advise on solutions from portable systems for first responders to larger systems for schools and clinics.
Security Telecoms: With over 40 years’ experience in telecoms, we can provide support for all forms of satellite telecoms, tracking technologies, VHF Radio (and repeaters), HF Radio and newer technologies like PTT over Cellular (also known as POC). For complex telecoms projects like VHF Repeater Stations, our services will include setting up solar energy to power the site and obtaining the correct local licenses or permits to operate the station.
Services to communities: By using the correct technologies, we are able to provide the appropriate infrastructure and connectivity which is powered by renewable energy to support public facilities such as schools, clinics, libraries and other community centers. We strongly believe that on all projects, the opportunity is taken to develop local skills. During any project we always welcome local ICT folks to accompany us when they can learn more about the technology we are implementing.
