Senior Digital Development Specialist

Job Type: Location Type: Remote: open to residents of any country

 

Senior Digital Development Specialist

Job #:
req34130

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Digital Development

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC, United States or Vienna, Austria

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
9/21/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

This position is a part of the Japanese recruitment mission

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.

Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. A predominantly middle-income region, ECA continues to be at the forefront in confronting the numerous development challenges that countries face in the evolving global economy. Several countries in the region face structural and legacy issues, including an incomplete transition to a market economy and declining productivity, weak institutional capacity, dependance on fossil fuels, limited physical and digital connectivity and demographic transition. The spillover impacts of recent shocks (COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, weather shocks and natural disaster) have further exacerbated these challenges, with significant impacts on the level, inclusiveness and sustainability of growth and overall living standards.

In line with its Evolution Roadmap and the one World Bank Group approach, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is working closely with IFC and MIGA to support countries in the region to address these issues, with increasing focus on climate action, including energy transition and water management, human capital and economic inclusion, productivity and job creation, and physical and digital connectivity. The region has a strong lending pipeline as well as a large portfolio of Trust Funds (TFs) and Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS). Knowledge is critical to the Bank’s value proposition to client countries in the ECA region in both lending and advisory services.

For more information about the region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eca

Digital Transformation Vice Presidency

The Digital Transformation Vertical Vice Presidency was established on July 1, 2024, and will guide World Bank Group efforts to establish the foundations of a digital economy, build and enhance digital and data infrastructure, ensure cybersecurity and data privacy for institutions, businesses, and citizens, and advance digital government services. Digital technologies, including AI and data, present a unique opportunity to accelerate development. The Digital Transformation Vertical will have the critical mission of delivering on this development promise. 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 two engagement pillars, six business lines, and multiple cross-cutting areas:
• Digital Core: Building digital infrastructure through broadband network, affordable devices; Enhancing data infrastructure including data centers, cloud solutions and data governance; Enabling AI and cutting-edge technology applications; and Protecting institutions, businesses, and citizens through cybersecurity, data protection & privacy, trust services as well as online safety.
• Digital Use: Supporting the Regions and the Verticals of People, Prosperity, Planet, and Infrastructure in the digitalization efforts of clients through Digital Government (digital public infrastructure, digital government services, and digital literacy and training), Digital Economy (national ICT planning, ICT industry and jobs, and smart infra and industry) and Digital Society (digital school, digital health, etc.).

Both pillars will be the channels through which the Vertical will support World Bank achieving its objectives in cross-cutting areas like jobs and skills, climate and green, fragility, conflict and violence, and gender and inclusion.

For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment

The DCADU unit is responsible for Digital Development activities and portfolio in the Europe and Central Asia region, including lending, supervision and analytical work.

DCADU is looking for a Senior Digital Development (DD) Specialist to be based in Washington DC. The work program will be primarily to support the dialogue and operations in ECA countries to be defined as the needs arise. The position will report to the Practice Manager for Digital Development.

Duties and responsibilities:

The Senior Digital Development (DD) Specialist, will be responsible for the following:
• Co-lead policy dialogue on digital economy / digital transformation with senior officials in client countries and development partner agencies and other key stakeholders.
• Support project and program development-which may be a combination of investment, policy-based or technical assistance operations-supporting digital infrastructure, e-/digital government, shared platforms and integrated digital solutions for investments and projects, and the digital economy ecosystem.
• Provide technical expertise and inputs on a range of policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, private sector investment and innovation in the digital economy sector with the aim to digitally enable people, businesses, and governments.
• Support business development activities, including inputs to annual work program and budget reviews, Systematic Country Diagnostics, Country Partnership Frameworks, etc.
• Lead core business development tasks, such as preparing project proposals, drafting project concept notes and briefs, facilitating client co-design workshops, etc.
• Co-lead operational work (knowledge products, technical assistance, lending, supervision).
• Provide technical support and input to practice group colleagues and government clients in areas of digital solutions, including in infrastructure, health/education, social protection, and jobs.

Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree in telecommunications, IT, cybersecurity, engineering, computer science, law, economics, public policy, or related field with a minimum of 8 years of experience in ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulation and/or ICT / Digital Economy project design and implementation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong understanding of the ecosystem of inter-related policies, strategies, institutions, laws, and regulations needed to shape overall government, economy, and societal digital/ data-driven development in platforms, services, and solutions and for the success of the individual project investment implementation and country/regional digital asset creation.
• Experience in digital infrastructure policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations and track record of engagement with a wide range of digital infrastructure and digital development sector institutions.
• Strong understanding of one or more of the following topics in the context of WB investment project financing and/or reimbursable advisory services: data governance policies, strategies, and institutions; digital public infrastructure and technology ‘stacks’; and data hosting infrastructure and cloud computing for governments.
• Strong understanding of program management relating to e-/digital government, shared platforms and integrated digital solutions for investments and projects, including creative/ICT and digital sector including digital mainstreaming in the full range of specific sectors.
• Ability to lead discussions at the highest policy levels in the area of Digital Development and to communicate with senior authorities’ complex policy issues.
• Prior experience in developing digital strategic visions and ability to advise on what “10 years’ time” might look like under different specific scenarios of investment, skill development, partnerships and policy reform.
• 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.
• Strong technical and policy dialogue skills as evidenced in a proven track record in leading / co-leading the policy reforms dialogue in the context of development policy operations within the World Bank or similar type of projects/products for other comparable 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 written communication skills in English as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable and effective manner. Knowledge of another regional language would be a plus.
• 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 personal 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 and as a connector within a multi-disciplinary team and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Proficiency in English is essential and knowledge and proficiency of another regional language would be a plus.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.

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.