E T Consultant

Job #:
req37839

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Social Protection

Grade:
EC3

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
Local Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
7/29/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Roles & Responsibilities:

HAES2 is looking for a high-performing, energetic SR. Social Protection Specialist to lead technical and advisory support on the digitization of social protection programs across the portfolio (which includes Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Rwanda, DRC, Sao Tome and Principe, Burundi, and Angola). The role provides strategic and hands-on advisory support to client governments, and support the client and World Ban teams to design, build, and operate the management information and digital delivery Systems (including social registries) that make social protection and labour programs work. The Sr. Specialist will lead government engagements at a policy and system and governance architecture level, while also providing implementation oversight and quality assurance at the technical level. The role requires both deep technical knowledge experience from many countries and the ability to communicate clearly with ministers, directors, and senior officials. The Sr. Specialist will also play a key role in advancing the HAES2 Social Policy agenda as an integral member of the regional team, working closely with task teams to support the design and implementation of operations and analytical work. The Sr, Specialist will also provide substantive operational support to Task Team Leaders and the unit, ranging from support during project preparation, appraisal, implementation, and supervision.

Duties and accountabilities

Social Registries and Beneficiary Management
• Support the design, implementation, and operationalization of social registry systems across AFR1 countries.
• Lead diagnostic studies to identify information gaps and stakeholder requirements, and confirm shared understanding of the registry concept with client governments.
• Prepare Business Requirements Documents (BRDs) and technical specifications for registry development or improvement, including procurement support.
• Develop operational handbooks and standard operating procedures for registry management.
• Identify capacity-building needs and deliver structured knowledge transfer to government MIS teams.

Management Information Systems
• Conduct ongoing assessments of existing Program MIS across AFR1 countries, identifying pain points, gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead MIS design processes: system architecture, data flows, interoperability frameworks, and technology options analysis.
• Advise on open-source versus proprietary system trade-offs, cloud infrastructure, and API-first design approaches.
• Support MIS operationalization and build client capacity to manage and maintain systems independently.
• Propose and evaluate innovative technologies, including AI-powered analytics modules and automated reporting tools.

AI and Data Analytics Integration
• Lead the assessment of AI readiness in client MIS environments, including data quality, infrastructure, and human capacity prerequisites.
• Develop AI integration roadmaps that are proportionate to government capacity and build incrementally.
• Advise on procurement of AI-enabled tools and evaluate vendor proposals on AI functionality.
• Support the design of AI governance and ethics frameworks to manage risks of algorithmic decision-making in social protection.
• Document and disseminate lessons from AI pilots for knowledge sharing across the World Bank SPJ portfolio.

Grievance Redress Management Systems
• Assess existing GRM infrastructure across AFR1 countries: call centers, digital channels, case management workflows, and human resources.
• Support the design and operationalization of integrated, multi-channel GRM systems including digital intake, routing, and resolution tracking.
• Advise on AI-assisted GRM features including chatbot intake, automated case triage, and sentiment analysis of citizen feedback.
• Provide technical inputs to call center design and National Grievance Redress System architecture.

Digital Payment Systems
• Provide technical advisory on digital payment platform design, interoperability, and integration with social protection MIS.
• Engage with payment service providers (mobile money operators, banks, fintechs) on system linkages and G2P payment flows.
• Strengthen oversight of payment processes, including reconciliation systems, exception handling, and audit trails.
• Advise on digital financial inclusion strategies linked to payment system roll-out.

Project Monitoring and Reporting
• Participate in implementation missions and provide technical inputs to Aide Memoires and back-to-office reports.
• Contribute to analytical and advisory services (ASAs) as assigned.
• Support Task Team Leaders (TTLs), country counterparts, and partners across all related activities.

Embedded Support to Operational Teams
• Contribute to the preparation, implementation, and supervision of World Bank investment and policy operations across social protection, community resilience, local economic development, peacebuilding, jobs, and women's economic empowerment.
• Provide comprehensive support to Task Team Leaders, including inputs to project design, results frameworks, operational manuals, and coordination on procurement and financial management, as well as participation in supervision missions.
• Prepare key operational deliverables, including Implementation Status and Results Reports (ISRs), aide-mémoires, briefing notes, and management updates.
• Support governments in translating policy priorities into implementable programs, systems, guidelines, operational procedures, and capacity-building plans, and contribute to policy dialogue with national and subnational stakeholders, development partners, and civil society.
• Contribute to analytical and advisory services and core country diagnostics (e.g. CPFs, CCDRs, poverty assessments), support evidence-based learning by documenting implementation lessons and results, and engage in knowledge sharing across regional and global teams, while undertaking additional tasks as required by the Practice Manager.
• Other tasks, based on unit needs, may be assigned.

Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in MIS, Information Technology, Computer Science, Digital Development, Economics, or related field
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience, with at least 10 years in social protection, public sector digital systems, or development finance
• Demonstrated experience with Development Finance operations and key aspects of program management in international development
• Proven track record delivering in fragile, conflict-affected, or low-resource environments
• Experience leading full-cycle MIS design: requirements, architecture, procurement, and implementation
• Hands-on knowledge of social registries, beneficiary MIS, payment systems, and GRM platforms
• Practical experience with AI/ML applications in public sector or social protection contexts; ability to assess tools and advise on responsible use
• Advance experience with G2P payment infrastructure, mobile money interoperability, and financial inclusion
• Ability to design data management frameworks, interoperability standards, and data sharing agreements
• Experience drafting technical specifications and evaluating ICT procurement proposals
• Ability to diagnose system problems, propose solutions, and present findings to senior audiences
• Ability to maintain strong client relationships across government ministries, sometimes with competing priorities or political pressures.
• Clear, evidence-based communication with senior officials: ministers, directors, and Bank management.
• Demonstrated ability to write and present policy notes, technical briefs, and PowerPoint presentations for high-level audiences.
• Strong team leadership and interpersonal skills; comfortable working in multicultural environments with minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) required. French or Arabic an asset.