Digital Specialist

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.

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 Digital Specialist to be based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (or in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic as decided by management). The work program will be primarily to support the dialogue and operations in ECA countries, with a strong focus on Central Asian countries to be defined as the needs arise. The position will report to the Practice Manager for Digital and AI in ECA.

Duties and responsibilities:

The Digital Specialist, will be responsible for the following across Central Asia (with possibility of getting involved elsewhere as needed) :

• 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 stimulating development of green digital connectivity infrastructure through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and policy/legal/regulatory reforms, facilitating development of digital public infrastructure, platforms and 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 digital and AI 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 digital and AI 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 technical guidance to colleagues working in other sectors (including 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 or digital economy related activities.

• Acting as local presence of the Digital and AI GP and, as such, in coordination with other colleagues and Task Team leaders, contribute to policy dialogue with senior officials of client countries and coordination with development partner agencies on the ground, effectively sharing information with colleagues elsewhere.
 
• Preparing and supervising publication of best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the Digital and AI sector.

• Performing economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, banking cases, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, PPP schemes, financing plans, etc.

• In collaboration with more senior colleagues representing the Digital and AI GP and the Bank at sectoral 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/AI 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, platforms 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 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 Central Asia context and enthusiasm to stay abreast of innovation and emerging technology. Technical expertise in at least one of the following areas: telecommunications/satellite technologies/datacenters and cloud/digital ID/digital payments/data exchange

• 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 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). Knowledge of Russian and/or Uzbek is highly desirable.

• 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.

• Prior work experience in Central Asia, and good knowledge of sector issues in the region is a plus.

• Willingness and ability to travel.

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.