Lead Digital Specialist

Job #:
req38415

Organization:
World Bank Group

Sector:
Digital Development

Grade:
GH

Term Duration:
Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP)

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):
French

Closing Date:
10/14/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

VPU Context:Digital and AI Vice Presidency

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.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digital

Duties and Responsibilities

The position reports to the Digital Practice Manager for AFW (DAWDU)

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership
• In close coordination with Digital DAWDU PM, provide technical direction for the Digital & AI work program, ensuring alignment with the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26-30) and AFW regional strategies. Represent Digital AFW in high-level policy dialogues, partnership meetings, and international forums on digital transformation and AI.
• Connect the mission of Digital AFW in delivering on the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26-30) with the efforts of the other verticals and sectors of the WBG, including with IFC and MIGA.
• Prepare and review strategic Senior Management briefings and engagements.

Technical Expertise and Program Delivery
• Provide technical leadership to Digital AFW team and client governments on complex digital development issues, with a strong focus on the digital infrastructure - connectivity, telecom markets, and crowding in private investments. Experience in public-private partnerships essential. Additional expertise in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), data governance, cybersecurity, and AI for development will be a strong asset.
• Lead strategic lending operations.
• Lead the design and implementation of flagship knowledge products in Digital AFW, ensuring they are policy-relevant and actionable for client countries.

Operational Support
• Guide task teams in integrating the solutions of the World Bank Group's Global Digital & AI Implementation Plan into WBG Lending and Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) operations across the AFW region.
• Review and clear technical deliverables-policy notes, concept notes, mission outputs-to ensure high quality standards and compliance with all corporate requirements, and provide hands-on guidance to task team leaders and client-facing teams on project design and implementation, in close coordination with Digital AFW PM.
• Support the Digital AFW PM on portfolio and budget monitoring, anticipating issues and advising the PM on ad hoc issues regarding country engagements (portfolio, sector dialogue), as well as dialogue with country units and partners.
• Mentor junior staff including grooming task team leads.
• Liaise with global expert teams to provide regional contribution to the Knowledge Bank in alignment with the World Bank Group's Global Digital & AI Strategy; and ensure support by the Knowledge Bank to regional engagements.

Partnership Management and Outreach
• Serve as the focal point in Digital AFW for the coordination between the AFW Regional Vice President Front Office and Development Partners active in Digital (e.g., EU, EBRD, AFD, AfDB, AIIB, IsDB, and others).
• Facilitate collaboration between Digital AFW and other WB Global Departments/Verticals to ensure the effective transfer of digital and AI knowledge and innovation across boundaries.
• Lead outreach and communication initiatives to raise the visibility of AFW's contributions to global digital and AI transformation.

Results Monitoring, Financial Management and Governance
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26-30) Results Framework and workplan indicators for AFW.
• Promote learning, transparency, and knowledge sharing through publications, workshops, and digital platforms.

Selection Criteria
• At least Master's degree or equivalent in information technology, computer science, engineering, economics, public policy, law, or related field.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience in digital transformation, digital and AI policy, law and regulation, or technology-driven development programs, including substantial experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Technical Expertise:
• Deep technical knowledge and policy understanding in broadband and data infrastructure and at least one additional domain from the following:

Digital public infrastructure, data governance, digital government, or digital economy and AI policy, with demonstrated ability to connect these areas to development outcomes.
• Proven record of leading complex analytical and operational work related to digital and AI transformation in developing countries, including advisory services, capacity-building, or pilot implementations; experience and knowledge of the AFW region is a strong plus.
• Strong understanding of private sector engagement, private capital mobilization and PPP approaches in Digital & AI.
• Extensive experience leading the design, development, and supervision of large-scale programs or lending operations, with a strong understanding of
• WBG's operational policies and project financing frameworks, is desirable.

Leadership and Management:
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor staff across grades and technical areas.
• Strong ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable results.
• Strong understanding of how countries can harness digital and artificial intelligence (AI) safely to accelerate development impact and advance the jobs agenda. Trusted digital and AI systems can create opportunities for countries, increasing use of services and aid the private sector to create and transform jobs.
• Prior engagement in the region at senior policy level is desirable.

Client and Partnership Orientation:
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and diplomatic skills, with a track record of managing partnerships with governments, academia, and the private sector.
• Experience collaborating with or within other sectors (e.g. Health, Social Protection, Education, Agriculture...) in digital and AI is a strong asset.

Analytical and Communication Skills:
• Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation abilities, capable of simplifying complex technical topics for policy audiences.
• Full command of English; proficiency in French is desirable but not required (NB: this lead specialist will focus primarily on the anglophone part of AFW, complementing an existing lead specialist who will cover the francophone countries).

Other Attributes:
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify and pursue new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
• High energy, proactive approach, and strong commitment to achieving impact through analytical, operational, and knowledge work.

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

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

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

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.