Lead Digital Specialist

Job #: req38176
Organization: World Bank Group
Sector: Digital Development
Grade: GH
Term Duration:  4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Pretoria,South Africa
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): English and French
Closing Date: 9/16/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank 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, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 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.
The Africa East and South Regional Context
Home to about 700 million people of Africa’s people, the World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Region is a geographically, culturally and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. The region has an estimated gross domestic product of $945,567 million in 2019. South Africa, an upper middle-income country, is the region’s largest economy, followed by Angola, Kenya and Ethiopia. Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is the region’s only high-income economy. 
To learn more, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa 
Digital & AI Vice Presidency
Digital and AI technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital & 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 
• 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 & AI Vice Presidency will deploy 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. 
The World Bank Group (WBG) Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) details how the institution will help countries harness digital and artificial intelligence (AI) safely to accelerate development impact and advance the jobs agenda. 
For more information on Digital & AI: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment
Background
The AFE Digital Unit (DAEDU) is responsible for Digital and AI activities and portfolios in the Africa East and South Region, including lending, supervision, and analytical work. The Unit is looking for a Lead Digital Specialist to be based in Pretoria, South Africa. 
Duties and Responsibilities:
The position reports to the Digital Practice Manager for DAEDU.
Key responsibilities include:
• Strategic Leadership

o In close coordination with Digital AFE PM, provide technical direction for the Digital & AI work program, ensuring alignment with the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) and AFE regional strategies. Represent Digital AFE in high-level policy dialogues, partnership meetings, and international forums on digital transformation and AI.

o Connect the mission of Digital AFE 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.

o Prepare and review strategic Senior Management briefings and engagements. 

o Technical Expertise and Program Delivery

o Provide technical leadership to the Digital AFE team and client governments on complex digital development issues, including digital infrastructure, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), data governance, cybersecurity, and AI for development.

o Lead strategic lending operations. 

o Lead the design and implementation of flagship knowledge products in Digital AFE, ensuring they are policy-relevant and actionable for client countries.
• Operational Support

o Guide task teams 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 AFE region.

o 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 AFE PM

o Support the Digital AFE 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. 

o Mentor junior staff including grooming task team leads.

o Liaise with global expert teams to provide regional contributions 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

o Serve as the focal point in Digital AFE for the coordination between the AFE Regional Vice President Front Office and Development Partners active in Digital (e.g. AIIB, IsDB…).  

o Facilitate collaboration between Digital AFE and other WB Global Practices to ensure the effective transfer of digital and AI knowledge and innovation across boundaries.

o Lead outreach and communication initiatives to raise the visibility of AFEs contributions to global digital and AI transformation.

• Results Monitoring, Financial Management and Governance

o Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30). Results Framework and workplan indicators for AFE.

o Promote learning, transparency, and knowledge sharing through publications, workshops, and digital platforms.

Selection Criteria

• Education: Master’s degree or equivalent (PhD preferred) in information technology, computer science, engineering, economics, public policy, law, or related field.

• Experience: 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: 

o Deep technical knowledge and policy understanding in at least two of the following domains: broadband and data infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, data governance, digital government, or digital economy and AI policy, with demonstrated ability to connect these areas to development outcomes.

o 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 MNAAP region is a strong plus. 

o Strong understanding of private sector engagement, private capital mobilization, and PPP approaches in Digital & AI.

o 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:

o Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor staff across grades and technical areas.

o Strong ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable results.

o 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, increase use of services, and aid the private sector to create and transform jobs.

o Prior engagement in the region at senior policy level is desirable.
• Client and Partnership Orientation:

o Excellent stakeholder engagement and diplomatic skills, with a track record of managing partnerships with governments, academia, and the private sector.

o 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:

o Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation abilities, capable of simplifying complex technical topics for policy audiences.

o Full command of English and proficiency in French is desirable.
• Other Attributes:

o Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify and pursue new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

o High energy, proactive approach, and strong commitment to achieving impact through analytical, operational, and knowledge work.

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.

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