Senior Digital Specialist

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

6d•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. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sectors, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. The WB Eastern and Southern Africa Region is committed to helping the countries in AFE to realize their considerable development potential and become more competitive in the global economy by focusing on (i) Creating Jobs and Transforming Economies, (ii) Building Up the Digital Economy, (iii) Making Institutions more Efficient and Accountable, (iv) Investing in People, (v) Supporting Climate Change Mitigation and (vi) Adaption and Building Partnerships and Working across the African Continent. Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. 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 (including AI, cloud computing and digital public infrastructure); 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 the Vice presidencies of People, Prosperity, Planet, and Infrastructure in the digitalization efforts of their clients, and in leveraging digital solutions, including building client Sectoral digital capacity, defining sectoral specific AI strategies, and designing sectoral AI solutions; Coordinating the operationalization of the WBG Digital Strategy as well as cross-GP efforts of achieving the new Corporate Scorecard digital indicators.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in digital transformation, economics, information technology, computer science, engineering, political science, or a related field.
At least 8 years of relevant experience in digital transformation, project management, or a related field, demonstrating the ability to excel in this role.
Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in preparing project operations and policy reforms, and leading project implementation and supervision within the Bank or similar type of projects/products for other public and/or private entities.
Strong client engagement skills, taking responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or project success.
Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, including ability to think strategically and innovatively about the role of digital technologies for socio-economic development and for transformation in other sectors of the economy as evidenced in a proven track record of research works, consulting works, position papers, etc.
Firm understanding of digital public infrastructure, technologies (PKI, Cloud, DFS, AI, Cyber), digital transformation of society, and digitally enabled business model trends relevant to socio-economic development in the African context (especially West and Central Africa) and enthusiasm to stay abreast of new innovations.
Effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with excellent written and verbal skills engaging with government officials, private sector partners, and other stakeholders.
Ability to draft and present reports and publications on digital development initiatives and best practices.
Capacity to participate in policy dialogue and represent organizations in meetings, workshops, and conferences.
Proven ability to function effectively as a team member of multi-disciplinary teams and resolve conflicts constructively.
Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

Responsibilities

Lead supervision of projects of existing World Bank Group Operations in the digital and other sectors, as a (co)TTL and senior technical expert; interact with clients at the policy and senior management levels, organize and manage policy notes on digital development and policy evaluation in collaboration with sector agencies, development partners and other Global Departments.
Advise clients on strategies, best practices, and design of programs on a range of digital policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, investment, innovation, and job creation in the economy at large with the aim of boosting digitalization of services, advancement of AI technologies with proper safeguards (like cyber and data protection), and access to digital connectivity by citizens, businesses and governments.
Contribute to policy dialogue with senior officials of client countries, regional institutions, private sector/industry, and development partner agencies. Represent the World Bank Group in meetings, workshops, and conferences related to digital and AI in Ethiopia and other Client countries. Support the development and implementation of policies and strategies to enhance digital development.
Collaborate with colleagues in other sectors (agriculture, health, energy, financial services, social protection, etc.) on innovative and practical approaches to leverage digital technologies to improve service delivery and efficiency in the respective sectors and to stimulate digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in those sectors by private sector actors.
Assume the role of the Digital and AI focal point for the Ethiopia CMU: Represent the Digital and AI Unit at the Ethiopia CMU as well as at DAEDU CMU focal point meetings on pipeline development, portfolio management, and broader client engagement in the Ethiopia CMU countries.