Digital Development Specialist
Apply NowCompany: The World Bank Group
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
Digital Development Specialist
Job #:
req30758
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Digital Development
Grade:
GF
Term Duration:
2 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
1/19/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The South Asia Region Context
The South Asia Region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) is at a crucial stage of development. Rapid economic growth, driven by urbanization and demographic dividend, has brought down poverty rates, but severe forms of exclusion and disparities based on ethnicity, caste, and gender remain. Rapid growth has also come with congestion and pollution in cities. South Asia is more than other regions affected by changes in temperature and extreme weather event. Additional challenges are that South Asia is underperforming in exports, has large informal sectors and low female labor force participation rates. All these challenges must be addressed to secure rapid growth in coming decades.
Private sector led growth, focused on investments in infrastructure, energy, logistics and cities are essential to generate the jobs needed to employ South Asia's sizeable youth population. At the same time, the region needs to continue building human capital so that South Asia's population is well equipped for the jobs of the future.
The World Bank in South Asia: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar
Digital Vice Presidency
Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital 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 digital Global Challenge Program as well as cross-GP efforts of achieving the new Corporate Scorecard digital indicators.
For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digital
The Opportunity
The World Bank Group's (WBG) engagement on digital development is rapidly growing in the South Asia region (SAR) in response to increased client demand for knowledge, technical assistance, and financing. The recently launched Accelerating Digitalization Global Challenge Program (the "GCP") seeks to enhance the speed, scale, and impact of the WBG's support to enable countries to make the most of digital opportunities and address emerging challenges in an effective and agile manner. For the South Asia region, the Digital Transformation team has developed the RISE Program -Reimagining Inclusive Services and Empowerment through Digital- to respond to the call for a programmatic platform to achieve scale and ambition in outcomes with a particular focus on affordable quality broadband, digital public infrastructure and high impact services, and digital skills/ICT industry for jobs and empowerment.
The work falls across three mutually reinforcing pillars:
Country Investments and Technical Assistance, and
Thought Leadership and Analytics to Inform Decision Making
Regional Knowledge Sharing and Integration.
SAR Digital Transformation Unit is looking for a Digital Development (DD) Specialist to be based in Washington DC to support the overall programmatic approach across the three pillars of country engagement, research and convening. The position will report to the Practice Manager for Digital Development.
The Digital Development (DD) Specialist, will be responsible for the following:
Digital Development Operational Engagements: Serve as core task team member in the design, preparation, and supervision of World Bank Group-financed digital development programs
Support for Lending Operations: Contribute to the preparation, design, and supervision of lending operations in the digital development sector in SAR. Assist in identifying opportunities for new lending projects that address gaps in digital infrastructure, inclusion, and skills development including in partnership with the IFC and with other Bank teams across sectors. Support the preparation of technical documents, financial analyses, and operational reports for digital development lending projects.
Support for Advisory Operations: Provide technical expertise for advisory services activities aimed at strengthening the digital economy and ICT policies in SAR. Advise clients on strategies, best practices and design of programs to develop the foundations of their digital economies. Assist in preparing analytical reports, policy notes, and other advisory materials for government and private sector stakeholders. Engage with key partners to offer advisory support on digital regulations, PPP structures, and investment strategies in the digital space.
Lead analytic and research pieces: Generate think pieces, assessments, best practice notes and blog articles.
Support policy dialogue and engagement on various technical areas including:
Digital Public Infrastructure and Services: Support the development and implementation of digital public infrastructure (e.g., digital identification, payments, and data exchange platforms) to improve service delivery. Engage in the development of digital safeguards, including cybersecurity and data protection.
Affordable Quality Connectivity and Data Hosting Capabilities: This component will focus on expanding good quality broadband infrastructure and services, with a special emphasis on rural and underserved regions and developing the cloud and data hosting markets
Digital Skills and ICT Industry for Jobs: Advise on strategies and best practices for developing the foundations of the digital economy. Provide expertise on designing policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks to support ICT development and the broader digital economy.
Support Inter-sectoral Digital Collaboration: Collaborate with teams working across various sectors (e.g., health, education, agriculture, and financial services) to leverage digital technologies to enhance service delivery. Promote digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in the private sector by fostering inter-sectoral collaborations.
Representation and Liaison: Represent the World Bank's Digital Development team at key forums and events, engaging with partners on relevant digital development issues. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to align digital strategies, goals, and operations.
Selection Criteria
Demonstrated experience and successes in policy dialogue and operations related to broadband connectivity, digital public infrastructure, digital data, data protection, cybersecurity or digital inclusion and its intersection with one or more development outcomes in health, financial inclusion, social protection, education, and/or gender.
Good understanding of role of private sector on digital infrastructure and familiarity with structuring arrangements between public and private sector investors
Knowledge of digital technology and digitally enabled business model trends relevant to socio-economic development and.
Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in appropriate language to clients, the international development community, academia, and internal working groups.
Excellent presentation skills, using charts, graphs and other data presentation techniques appropriately to communicate data, technical information, or complex concepts to non-specialists.
Strong drive for results, taking persona enthusiasm to stay abreast of new innovation
Prior policy dialogue activities working with countries with limited capacity and influencing digital transformation reforms
Proven experience advising governments or regulatory agencies on priority sector reforms issues and regulatory interventions in broadband infrastructure (fixed and mobile), conducting dialogue with regulators, and ability to develop best practice on regulation.
Excellent conceptual skills, including ability to think strategically about the role of ICT / Digital Technologies in other sectors and (more generally) the economy, as well as interface between telecom policy and digital transformation
Excellent analytical and statistical skills, in data and evidence-based reforms, using metrics and indicators to determine numeric reform targets, take stock of developments over time, and use data driven results monitoring as an instrument to advance reforms. Combines a broad grasp of the relevant theory and principles and of involved practices and precedent.
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.
Ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results.
Strong business judgment and analytical decision making, analyzing facts and data to support sound and logical business decisions.
Proven ability to function effectively as a team member of multi-disciplinary teams, mentor staff, and resolve conflicts constructively.
Willingness and ability to travel.
Proficiency in English is essential
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
Job #:
req30758
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Digital Development
Grade:
GF
Term Duration:
2 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
1/19/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The South Asia Region Context
The South Asia Region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) is at a crucial stage of development. Rapid economic growth, driven by urbanization and demographic dividend, has brought down poverty rates, but severe forms of exclusion and disparities based on ethnicity, caste, and gender remain. Rapid growth has also come with congestion and pollution in cities. South Asia is more than other regions affected by changes in temperature and extreme weather event. Additional challenges are that South Asia is underperforming in exports, has large informal sectors and low female labor force participation rates. All these challenges must be addressed to secure rapid growth in coming decades.
Private sector led growth, focused on investments in infrastructure, energy, logistics and cities are essential to generate the jobs needed to employ South Asia's sizeable youth population. At the same time, the region needs to continue building human capital so that South Asia's population is well equipped for the jobs of the future.
The World Bank in South Asia: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar
Digital Vice Presidency
Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital 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 digital Global Challenge Program as well as cross-GP efforts of achieving the new Corporate Scorecard digital indicators.
For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digital
The Opportunity
The World Bank Group's (WBG) engagement on digital development is rapidly growing in the South Asia region (SAR) in response to increased client demand for knowledge, technical assistance, and financing. The recently launched Accelerating Digitalization Global Challenge Program (the "GCP") seeks to enhance the speed, scale, and impact of the WBG's support to enable countries to make the most of digital opportunities and address emerging challenges in an effective and agile manner. For the South Asia region, the Digital Transformation team has developed the RISE Program -Reimagining Inclusive Services and Empowerment through Digital- to respond to the call for a programmatic platform to achieve scale and ambition in outcomes with a particular focus on affordable quality broadband, digital public infrastructure and high impact services, and digital skills/ICT industry for jobs and empowerment.
The work falls across three mutually reinforcing pillars:
Country Investments and Technical Assistance, and
Thought Leadership and Analytics to Inform Decision Making
Regional Knowledge Sharing and Integration.
SAR Digital Transformation Unit is looking for a Digital Development (DD) Specialist to be based in Washington DC to support the overall programmatic approach across the three pillars of country engagement, research and convening. The position will report to the Practice Manager for Digital Development.
The Digital Development (DD) Specialist, will be responsible for the following:
Digital Development Operational Engagements: Serve as core task team member in the design, preparation, and supervision of World Bank Group-financed digital development programs
Support for Lending Operations: Contribute to the preparation, design, and supervision of lending operations in the digital development sector in SAR. Assist in identifying opportunities for new lending projects that address gaps in digital infrastructure, inclusion, and skills development including in partnership with the IFC and with other Bank teams across sectors. Support the preparation of technical documents, financial analyses, and operational reports for digital development lending projects.
Support for Advisory Operations: Provide technical expertise for advisory services activities aimed at strengthening the digital economy and ICT policies in SAR. Advise clients on strategies, best practices and design of programs to develop the foundations of their digital economies. Assist in preparing analytical reports, policy notes, and other advisory materials for government and private sector stakeholders. Engage with key partners to offer advisory support on digital regulations, PPP structures, and investment strategies in the digital space.
Lead analytic and research pieces: Generate think pieces, assessments, best practice notes and blog articles.
Support policy dialogue and engagement on various technical areas including:
Digital Public Infrastructure and Services: Support the development and implementation of digital public infrastructure (e.g., digital identification, payments, and data exchange platforms) to improve service delivery. Engage in the development of digital safeguards, including cybersecurity and data protection.
Affordable Quality Connectivity and Data Hosting Capabilities: This component will focus on expanding good quality broadband infrastructure and services, with a special emphasis on rural and underserved regions and developing the cloud and data hosting markets
Digital Skills and ICT Industry for Jobs: Advise on strategies and best practices for developing the foundations of the digital economy. Provide expertise on designing policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks to support ICT development and the broader digital economy.
Support Inter-sectoral Digital Collaboration: Collaborate with teams working across various sectors (e.g., health, education, agriculture, and financial services) to leverage digital technologies to enhance service delivery. Promote digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in the private sector by fostering inter-sectoral collaborations.
Representation and Liaison: Represent the World Bank's Digital Development team at key forums and events, engaging with partners on relevant digital development issues. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to align digital strategies, goals, and operations.
Selection Criteria
Demonstrated experience and successes in policy dialogue and operations related to broadband connectivity, digital public infrastructure, digital data, data protection, cybersecurity or digital inclusion and its intersection with one or more development outcomes in health, financial inclusion, social protection, education, and/or gender.
Good understanding of role of private sector on digital infrastructure and familiarity with structuring arrangements between public and private sector investors
Knowledge of digital technology and digitally enabled business model trends relevant to socio-economic development and.
Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in appropriate language to clients, the international development community, academia, and internal working groups.
Excellent presentation skills, using charts, graphs and other data presentation techniques appropriately to communicate data, technical information, or complex concepts to non-specialists.
Strong drive for results, taking persona enthusiasm to stay abreast of new innovation
Prior policy dialogue activities working with countries with limited capacity and influencing digital transformation reforms
Proven experience advising governments or regulatory agencies on priority sector reforms issues and regulatory interventions in broadband infrastructure (fixed and mobile), conducting dialogue with regulators, and ability to develop best practice on regulation.
Excellent conceptual skills, including ability to think strategically about the role of ICT / Digital Technologies in other sectors and (more generally) the economy, as well as interface between telecom policy and digital transformation
Excellent analytical and statistical skills, in data and evidence-based reforms, using metrics and indicators to determine numeric reform targets, take stock of developments over time, and use data driven results monitoring as an instrument to advance reforms. Combines a broad grasp of the relevant theory and principles and of involved practices and precedent.
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.
Ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results.
Strong business judgment and analytical decision making, analyzing facts and data to support sound and logical business decisions.
Proven ability to function effectively as a team member of multi-disciplinary teams, mentor staff, and resolve conflicts constructively.
Willingness and ability to travel.
Proficiency in English is essential
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.