E T Consultant

E T Consultant

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

ITS Vice Presidency Context

The Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) enables the World Bank Group to achieve its mission of ending extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet by delivering transformative information and technologies to its staff working in over 150+ locations. For more information on ITS, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=VTFGffa1Y7w

Unit Background & Context:

The WBG Technology Innovation Office (ITSTI), launched in June 2017 as the ITS Innovation Lab, initially focused on blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. It has since expanded to cover areas such as AI, IoT, quantum computing, and related emerging fields. ITSTI accelerates and incubates technology-driven innovation across the World Bank Group by providing resources for ideation, prototyping, and piloting new solutions. The Office fosters collaboration, learning, capacity building, and knowledge creation, helping integrate advanced technologies and innovative approaches into WBG operations. As a core ITS offering, Innovation as a Service allows teams to access specialized expertise. Through its support and advisory services, ITSTI drives digital transformation and agility within the organization by embedding technology-enabled innovation in WBG processes and initiatives. 

ITSTI accelerates and increases value to business partners and clients on two fronts: 

(1) Technology Innovation Leadership and Advisory incorporates innovation and future-readiness into organizational capabilities by applying human-centered, forward-looking methods to develop creative solutions and strategies. These approaches better equip WBG for an unpredictable future by utilizing signals, trends, and the scalable, responsible exploration and adoption of frontier technologies. 

Strong partnerships and relationships give WBG access to a wide range of knowledge and skills, accelerating learning and problem-solving. Through collaborative efforts and joint partnerships, WBG further increases its development impact. 

(2) Our focus on Frontier Technology Exploration and Experimentation explores high-potential frontier technologies, rapidly validate their viability, and assess their scalability potential and readiness. We then incubate and accelerate their growth through close collaboration with ITS, WBG (Operations, Corporate) teams, and strategic partners. We keep ITS and WBG cutting edge by exploring, testing, and responsibly adopting frontier technologies.  

The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Regional Technology & Innovation Lab (T&I Lab) was established in May 2021 as the first regional innovation lab located within a World Bank Group country office. Based in the World Bank Korea office, the T&I Lab connects Republic of Korea's development experience and technological expertise with World Bank operations to address global development challenges. Since its founding, the office has grown into a dynamic platform that leverages cutting-edge technologies, fosters strategic partnerships, and generates actionable knowledge for the World Bank Group. T&I Lab works closely with World Bank country teams, global practices, Korean partner institutions and donors to deliver high-quality operational and knowledge outcomes. Given the growing complexity of its innovation portfolio and expanding communication and knowledge management needs, the T&I Lab seeks to hire a Korea-based Extended Term Consultant (ETC) to provide integrated support across ITSTI project management, communications, and knowledge management. 

Role Purpose:

The Extended Term Consultant (ETC) is responsible for the execution of the organization’s digital strategy and the coordination of digital transformation initiatives in alignment with the organization’s goals and objectives. With limited supervision, this role collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement emerging technologies, redesign processes, develop best practices, and determine digitization prospects. The ETC also researches and evaluates digital emerging technologies, best practices, industry developments, and consumer trends to identify digital business opportunities. 

A key dimension of this role is building and sustaining partnerships with Korean institutions and government stakeholders and connecting country clients and regional experts to the T&I Lab’s knowledge and innovation agenda. 

Role Scope & Distinction:

Experienced professional

• Performs professional-level research and analyses in the field of specialization.
• Proposes solutions to moderately complex problems in the field of specialization.
• Seeks common ground and negotiates issues with internal and/or external clients to recommend for higher-level approval.
• Provides knowledge-based guidance to more junior staff within the job area.
• Requires practical application of professional knowledge at a broad-based level to complete difficult assignments.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Innovation and Performance Improvement

• Contributes to the execution of digital and technology-enabled business innovation strategies to improve organizational performance and competitiveness
• Assesses potential innovation initiatives for feasibility, impact, and resource allocation
• Identifies risks associated with new initiatives to ensure successful implementation

Market Research and Trend Analysis

• Analyzes market trends and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement
• Partners with external organizations to leverage best practices in innovation

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to execute innovation initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives. 
• Monitors the progress of projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals
• Fosters partnerships and participates in outreach initiatives that amplify impact and foster collaborative innovation
 
Institutional Partnerships and Communications  

• Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with government and research institutions, academia, and the private sector to identify and develop collaboration opportunities in knowledge production and technology innovation.
• Serves as a bridge connecting World Bank country clients and operational teams with subject matter experts, practitioners, and institutions in the EAP region, facilitating knowledge exchange and joint initiatives.
• Engages effectively with senior government officials and public sector counterparts in Korea, leveraging strong interpersonal and diplomatic communication skills to build trust and sustain institutional relationships.
• Organizes and supports knowledge-sharing events, convenings, and co-creation sessions between Korean partners and World Bank teams, ensuring outputs are relevant to client needs and operational priorities in the EAP region.
• Applies contextual knowledge of the EAP region to tailor innovation and knowledge activities to regional development priorities and country contexts.

Knowledge Contribution and Innovation Outreach 

• Evaluates and synthesizes frontier technologies to inform advisory and services and shape practical solution designs.
• Leads the production and dissemination of high-quality knowledge products including playbooks, case studies, and knowledge briefs, grounded in rigorous research and tailored to client demand and operational priorities.
• Drives institutional innovation literacy by designing and facilitating interactive engagement sessions, accelerated learning workshops and hands-on experiential opportunities.

Any other duties assigned. 

Selection Criteria

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience (for example, in the IT field: Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 1 year of related work experience). 

The following qualifications and attributes are strongly preferred:

• Knowledge of and experience working in the East Asia and Pacific region, including familiarity with regional development priorities and institutional landscape
• Professional-level research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information across multiple thematic domains.
• Broad cross-sectoral knowledge base is a distinct advantage, given the team's work across multiple global practices; prior exposure to areas such as urban development, finance, environment, or social sectors is beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with Korean government officials, public institutions, or multilateral organizations, with strong intercultural communication and relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to develop and manage institutional partnerships and coordinate knowledge-sharing events, particularly in a government or multilateral context.

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

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

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.