Senior Digital Specialist

Description

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 and AI Vice Presidency
 
Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital and AI Vice Presidency (VP) and its global and regional teams support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation through: 
 
• Building digital infrastructure and data platforms (including digital connectivity infrastructure, data infrastructure 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 digitizing 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
 
• Supporting the World Bank regional vice-presidencies on the operationalization of the digital Global Challenge Program as well as cross-GP efforts of achieving the new Corporate Scorecard digital indicators.
 
The Digital and AI VP deploys a range of products, services and partnerships to advance global knowledge around key digital transformation topics, and to support countries to define and implement their vision for digital transformation through: 
 
• Supporting World Bank regions that provide financing to governments in the form of grants, loans, guarantees and risk management products to support digital investment projects and implement policy reforms.

• Supporting World Bank regions that provide advisory services including targeted policy guidance, technical assistance, and capacity building.
 
• Knowledge products including data and diagnostics to provide actionable insights at regional, country, and local levels, research and thought leadership to expand the global knowledge base, as well as thematic operational toolkits. 

• Convening services that bring together key stakeholders, from both public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental organizations involved in advancing global digital transformation. 
 
For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digital

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

DCADU is looking for a Senior Digital Specialist to be based in Vienna, Austria (or in Brussels, Belgium as decided by management). 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 and AI. 

Duties and responsibilities:

The Senior Digital Specialist, will be responsible for the following across the ECA region, including, but not limited to operations and activities in the Western Balkans and EU countries:

• Lead missions and supervise major projects in the sector as a technical expert; interact with clients at the policy and senior management levels, organize and manage policy notes on digital and AI and policy evaluation in collaboration with sector agencies, development partners and other Global Practices.

• Contribute to the design, preparation and supervision of World Bank Group financed digital and AI-related investment and policy reform programs in client countries, with a particular emphasis on stimulating development of digital connectivity infrastructure through leveraging private sector investments with matching investments from the Bank, strengthening regulatory agencies, facilitating development of digital government infrastructure, platforms and services, and promoting development of digital skills, jobs and innovation.

• Advise clients on strategies, best practices and the design of programs on a range of digital transformation policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, investment, innovation, and job creation in the telecoms sector with the aim of boosting affordability, service quality and access to digital connectivity by citizens, businesses and governments and to stimulate the downstream development of value-added digital services. 

• Providing technical expertise and advice on a range of policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, private sector investment and innovation in the digital economy sector with the aim of achieving, by 2030, people, businesses, and governments to be digitally enabled.

• Contribute to policy dialogue with senior officials of client countries, regional institutions, and development partner agencies.

• Perform economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, banking cases, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, Public Private Partnership (PPP) schemes, and financing plans in support of digital transformation.

• Developing with colleagues working in other sectors (including health, education, energy, financial services, transport, tourism, etc.) 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. 
 
• Representing the ECA Digital Unit and the Bank at digital and AI-related fora and events, as well as liaison in the above areas with key external partners.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree or PhD in economics, telecommunications, engineering, computer science, law, public policy, or related field

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, including strong track record of successfully leading Investment Project Financing (IPF) operations (preparation and implementation) for the World Bank or Recipient/Borrower.

• Ability to lead discussions at the highest policy levels in the area of Digital and AI and to communicate with senior authorities’ complex policy issues.  Experience in digital infrastructure, services or digital skills for jobs agenda would be a plus.

• 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.

• Strong drive for results, taking personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results.  
 
• Ability to lead a team of professionals in the preparation and implementation of major projects.

• Ability to think independently and demonstrate political sensitivity and mature judgment.

• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and demonstrated effectiveness in developing and maintaining positive client (internal and external) and partners relations.

• Ability to coach, mentor and develop more junior staff

• Prior knowledge of the ECA region digital context and of Western Balkans and EU countries specifically would be a strong advantage

This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for 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.