Digital Specialist

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. The Digital and AI Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams will support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation through building digital infrastructure and data platforms, protecting institutions, businesses, and citizens through cybersecurity and data protection & privacy, developing ICT sectors and supporting digital entrepreneurship, skills, and jobs, implementing and digitalizing digital government services that improve accountability and transparency, supporting other Vice presidencies in their digitalization efforts and leveraging digital solutions, and coordinating the operationalization of the WBG Digital Strategy. The Digital Specialist will be based at World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, DC, and will primarily support the regional and cross-country digital engagements, with a strong focus on Liberia in the first two years of the assignment with other West Africa countries and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) progressively added to the portfolio.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher in digital transformation, information technology, computer science, engineering, public policy, economics, or a related field.
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in digital transformation, telecommunications, ICT policy, project management, or related fields, with demonstrated ability to support complex development operations and client engagements.
Demonstrated strong technical and operational skills, including a proven track record supporting project preparation, implementation, supervision, and policy reform programs within the World Bank or comparable public or private sector institutions.
Demonstrate strong client orientation, responsiveness, ability to prepare clear implementation updates and technical inputs, and capacity to identify risks, remove obstacles, and help teams deliver results within agreed timelines.
Excellent conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to think strategically and practically about the role of digital technologies in socio-economic development and public sector transformation.
Strong understanding of digital infrastructure, broadband markets, digital public infrastructure, digital government platforms, interoperability, cybersecurity, data governance, digital skills, and innovation ecosystems. Ability to translate technical knowledge into operational advice, implementation support, and client-facing recommendations relevant to Liberia, West Africa, and regional digital transformation programs.
Effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with ability to prepare concise technical notes, briefing materials, implementation updates, and client-facing documents.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with government officials, PIUs, private sector partners, development partners, CMUs, and multi-disciplinary World Bank teams.
Proven capacity to participate in policy dialogue, facilitate stakeholder coordination, and work constructively across institutional boundaries.
Experience in Liberia, West Africa, and regional digital development.
Possess experience working on digital development, infrastructure, public sector modernization, or related operations in Liberia and/or West Africa, with demonstrated ability to support country-level as well as regional or cross-country engagements.
Demonstrate understanding of regional context, institutional coordination challenges, and implementation constraints affecting digital transformation programs.
Willingness and ability to travel to Liberia and other relevant locations in West Africa.

Nice To Haves

Experience with World Bank operational policies, procedures, fiduciary processes, safeguards, and implementation support would be an advantage.
Familiarity with Liberia’s digital sector priorities, government institutions, development partner landscape, and World Bank portfolio would be a strong advantage, complemented by experience or strong interest in broader West Africa and regional digital integration agendas.
Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the supervision and implementation of the World Bank’s digital portfolio in AFW, with Liberia as the initial focus.
Support implementation of World Bank-financed digital operations and related technical assistance activities, primarily in Liberia and, progressively broader West Africa or regional engagements.
Ensure alignment with project development objectives, implementation schedules, and agreed results. Coordinate closely with Project Implementation Units (PIUs), government counterparts, Country Management Units (CMUs), and relevant Global Practice teams to monitor progress, track milestones, identify implementation bottlenecks, and support timely resolution of operational issues.
Prepare and follow up on implementation support missions, including briefing materials, aide-mémoires, action trackers, progress updates, and implementation reporting. Support operational problem-solving through close coordination with in-country counterparts, regional teams, and Bank colleagues.
Contribute to the design and preparation of new pipeline operations and analytical work. Support the preparation of investment projects, policy reform programs, advisory services, and analytical activities related to digital transformation, with Liberia as the main area of engagement and additional support to broader West Africa, regional, and cross-country work as needed.
Areas of focus may include affordable and resilient broadband infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, digital government platforms and services, interoperability, digital identification, cybersecurity, data protection and governance, digital skills, innovation, and private sector participation. Contribute to operational documents, technical notes, concept materials, results frameworks, and inputs addressing corporate requirements, including climate, gender, inclusion, and citizen engagement.
Advise clients on strategies, best practices, and program design to advance digital economy development. Provide technical and operational inputs on telecommunications policy and regulation, broadband market development, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital government, digital skills, and digital economy development, primarily for Liberia and, where relevant, for other West Africa or regional engagements.
Support government counterparts and PIUs in understanding technical requirements, implementation approaches, procurement and sequencing considerations, and relevant international good practices. Contribute to policy dialogue and technical analysis to help strengthen enabling environments for investment, innovation, and effective use of digital technologies in public service delivery.
Support stakeholder engagement, institutional coordination, and policy dialogue. Maintain regular engagement with government counterparts, regulatory agencies, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and other institutions involved in Liberia’s digital sector, while also supporting regional or cross-country coordination when required.
Support coordination among relevant ministries and agencies to facilitate implementation alignment and timely decision-making. Coordinate closely with CMUs, country office staff, and other Bank teams to ensure that digital activities are integrated with country priorities and operational processes. Participate in meetings, consultations, workshops, and policy discussions, and represent the World Bank in relevant technical engagements as required.
Liaise and provide guidance to colleagues working in other sectors.
Support cross-sectoral collaboration by helping teams in sectors such as agriculture, energy, public administration, education, health, financial services, transport, climate resilience, and disaster risk management identify and apply digital solutions that can improve service delivery, institutional efficiency, resilience, and development impact. While Liberia will be the principal focus, the role may also support similar cross-sectoral digital integration across West Africa, regional programs, or corporate priority initiatives.
Contribute to the integration of digital approaches into sector operations, including through digital platforms, data systems, connectivity solutions, and digitally enabled service delivery models.