Lead Digital Specialist

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The World Bank is seeking a Lead Digital Specialist to join the MENAAP Digital Unit (DMAPD). This role will be based either in Washington DC or Amman, Jordan, and will be responsible for Digital and AI activities and portfolio in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, including lending, supervision, and analytical work. The specialist will provide strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational support to advance digital transformation and AI adoption in client countries, aligning with the World Bank Group’s Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) and regional strategies. The position involves leading complex projects, developing knowledge products, guiding task teams, mentoring junior staff, and managing partnerships with governments, development partners, and the private sector. The role requires exceptional analytical and communication skills, a deep understanding of digital and AI domains, and the ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable results.

Requirements

Master’s degree or equivalent (PhD preferred) in information technology, computer science, engineering, economics, public policy, law, or related field.
Minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience in digital transformation, digital and AI policy, law and regulation, or technology-driven development programs, including substantial experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
Deep technical knowledge and policy understanding in at least two of the following domains: broadband and data infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, data governance, digital government, or digital economy and AI policy, with demonstrated ability to connect these areas to development outcomes.
Proven record of leading complex analytical and operational work related to digital and AI transformation in developing countries, including advisory services, capacity-building, or pilot implementations.
Strong understanding of private sector engagement, private capital mobilization and PPP approaches in Digital & AI.
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor staff across grades and technical areas.
Strong ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable results.
Strong understanding of how countries can harness digital and artificial intelligence (AI) safely to accelerate development impact and advance the jobs agenda.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and diplomatic skills, with a track record of managing partnerships with governments, academia, and the private sector.
Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation abilities, capable of simplifying complex technical topics for policy audiences.
Full command of English (and preferably also Arabic).
Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify and pursue new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
High energy, proactive approach, and strong commitment to achieving impact through analytical, operational, and knowledge work.
Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

Nice To Haves

PhD preferred
Experience and knowledge of the MNAAP region is a strong plus.
Extensive experience leading the design, development, and supervision of large-scale programs or lending operations, with a strong understanding of WBG’s operational policies and project financing frameworks, is desirable.
Prior engagement in the region at senior policy level is desirable.
Experience collaborating with or within other sectors (e.g. Health, Social Protection, Education, Agriculture…) in digital and AI is a strong asset.
Proficiency in French is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide technical direction for the Digital & AI work program, ensuring alignment with the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) and MENAAP regional strategies.
Represent Digital MENAAP in high-level policy dialogues, partnership meetings, and international forums on digital transformation and AI.
Connect the mission of Digital MENAAP in delivering on the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) with the efforts of the other verticals and sectors of the WBG, including with IFC and MIGA.
Prepare and review strategic Senior Management briefings and engagements.
Provide technical leadership to Digital MENAAP team and client governments on complex digital development issues, including digital infrastructure, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), data governance, cybersecurity, and AI for development.
Lead strategic lending operations.
Lead the design and implementation of flagship knowledge products in Digital MENAAP, ensuring they are policy-relevant and actionable for client countries.
Guide task teams in integrating the solutions of the World Bank Group’s Global Digital & AI Implementation Plan into WBG Lending and Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) operations across the MENAAP region.
Review and clear technical deliverables—policy notes, concept notes, mission outputs—to ensure high quality standards and compliance with all corporate requirements, and provide hands-on guidance to task team leaders and client-facing teams on project design and implementation, in close coordination with Digital MENAAP PM.
Support the Digital MENAAP PM on portfolio and budget monitoring, anticipating issues and advising the PM on ad hoc issues regarding country engagements (portfolio, sector dialogue), as well as dialogue with country units and partners.
Mentor junior staff including grooming task team leads.
Liaise with global expert teams to provide regional contribution to the Knowledge Bank in alignment with the World Bank Group’s Global Digital & AI Strategy; and ensure support by the Knowledge Bank to regional engagements.
Serve as the focal point in Digital MENAAP for the coordination between the MENAAP Regional Vice President Front Office and Development Partners active in Digital (e.g. AIIB, IsDB…)
Facilitate collaboration between Digital MENAAP and other WB Global Practices to ensure the effective transfer of digital and AI knowledge and innovation across boundaries.
Lead outreach and communication initiatives to raise the visibility of MENAAPs contributions to global digital and AI transformation.
Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) Results Framework and workplan indicators for MENAAP.
Promote learning, transparency, and knowledge sharing through publications, workshops, and digital platforms.