Digital Development Specialist at World Bank Group

Digital Development Specialist

Employer: World Bank Group

Employment: Full-Time | Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

Posted date: 2 days ago

Deadline: April, 18/2025 (17 days left)

Description

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.

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.

Unit Overview

The Digital Transformation unit within Eastern and Southern Africa (DAEDD) is responsible for the digital transformation activities and portfolio in the Eastern and Southern Africa region, including lending, policy, supervision, and analytical work. It plays a critical role in enabling the achievements of the Twin goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Digital technologies are transforming firms, governments and people’s lives; and with the digital economy growing at a rate significantly higher than that of the global economy, it offers emerging economies a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional paths for development through digital solutions.

Collaborating across technical, geographic, and institutional boundaries, the Digital Transformation team helps design and deliver ICT-enhanced solutions to a diverse range of clients. The team supports clients through (i) analytical and advisory services; and (ii) policy reform programs to establish enabling policy, legal, strategic, and regulatory environments that allow for the widespread use of technology and creation of a trust environment; as well as (iii) lending operations that support investment in digital infrastructure to connect the unconnected, or digital public goods (cloud, digital identification, etc.) that enable digital service delivery.

This Country Management Unit (CMU) covers Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan, with projects currently active in Ethiopia and South Sudan. The World Bank’s program in Ethiopia in the digital sector includes the ongoing US$1700 million Digital Foundations Project which is under implementation since 2021, the US$110m Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (EARDIP), which commenced implementation in 2024, and the US$350m Digital ID program, which also commenced in 2024. Ongoing analytical work includes an ongoing Telecom Market Assessment and support for monitoring and evaluation work for ID for development. In South Sudan, there is a US$72m program, also under EARDIP, which has been under implementation since 2023. Sudan and Eritrea are not currently eligible for lending, but a technical assistance program to extend mobile coverage in Sudan is under development.

The DAEDD Unit is looking for a DD Specialist to be based in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia ) and to support also other countries in the CMU. The DD Specialist will report to the Practice Manager, based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Duties and responsibilities:

The DD specialist will be responsible for:

• Contributing to the design, preparation and implementation of World Bank Group financed digital development related investment and policy reform programs in client countries with a particular emphasis on policy/legal/regulatory reforms, facilitating development of digital public infrastructure, including Digital ID, platforms and e-services, and promoting the development of digital skills, innovation and growth of the IT industry. • Advising clients on strategies, best practices, and design of programs to develop the foundations of their digital economies. This may include participating in technical assistance activities and providing ad hoc technical and strategic expertise on the design of the overall policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for the information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital transformation sector and wider digital economy as well as IT functions and digital services delivery within governments.• Providing technical expertise and advice on a range of ICT policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, investment, and innovation 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 policy, institutional reform, project development and execution to support the digitization of public administration and public services delivery in client countries, and data-driven services more broadly, including the development of enablers and safeguards such as digital identification, data protection and cyber security. • Liaising and providing guidance and assistance to the World Bank colleagues working in other sectors (including social protection, agriculture, health, education, energy, financial services, transport, etc.) on how to leverage digital technologies to improve public service delivery and efficiency in the respective sectors and to stimulate digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in those sectors by private sector actors. • Developing innovative and practical approaches to solving difficult policy and operational issues for selected high priority telecommunications, ICT, digital transformation or digital economy related activities.• Preparing and supervising publication of the best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the digital transformation sector.• Performing economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, banking cases, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, PPP schemes, financing plans, etc.• Preparing appropriate just-in-time technical assistance programs for fragile, conflict-afflicted and violent (FCV) country situations and for post conflict rehabilitation.• Representing the World Bank at digital development related fora and events, as well as acting as a liaison with key external partners.

Selection Criteria

Master's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, law, economics, public policy or related field with a minimum of 5 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.

• 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. Specific technical knowledge on sector issues spanning digital infrastructure, digital ID, platforms, e-services and data-driven innovation.• Strong technical and operational skills demonstrated by a proven track record in supporting the design and delivery of project operations within the World Bank or similar type of projects/products for other entities, including in a development country context.• Firm understanding of digital technology and digitally enabled business model trends relevant to socio-economic development in the African context and enthusiasm to stay abreast of innovation and emerging technology. • 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 and contributing to strong policy dialogue with tact and diplomacy.• Excellent written communication skills in English and (also preferred in Amharic) as demonstrated by a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable and effective manner, adapted to the audience in question (e.g., compiling presentation, briefs, reports and project documentation). • Excellent presentation skills, using charts, graphs and other data presentation techniques appropriately to communicate data, technical information, or complex concepts to non-specialists.• Self-starter and problem solver, with a strong drive for results, taking personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, including leading on specific activities and components where responsibility has been delegated/agreed and anticipating and proactively responding to technical and operational needs.• 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 and resolve conflicts constructively, both internally and externally. • Experience of working in FCV and post-conflict environments would be an advantage.• Prior work experience in Africa and specifically in Ethiopia, and good knowledge of sector issues in the region is a plus. Specific previous exposure to operational challenges in East and Southern Africa would be an advantage.• Willingness and ability to travel.• Proficiency in English is essential and Amharic would be an advantage.

WBG Competencies

• Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions.

• Deliver Results for Clients - Proactively addresses clients’ stated and unstated needs.

• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries - Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives.

• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.

• Make Smart Decisions - Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment.

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.

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