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Form of workDigital Development Specialist
Job #: req12015 Organization: World Bank Sector: Digital Development Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 6/8/2021 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTCDescription
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, 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 Infrastructure Practice Group
Globally, 840 million people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 1 billion people lack electricity, and 4 billion people lack Internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure Practice Group is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies.
The World Bank Group helps developing countries build smart infrastructure that supports inclusive and sustainable growth, expands markets, creates job opportunities, promotes competition, and contributes to a cleaner future. We help countries address their unique infrastructure needs by working with the public and private sectors. Infrastructure improves lives by connecting people to opportunity. The Infrastructure Practice Group comprises Energy and Extractives, Transport, Digital Development, and Infrastructure Finance, Public Private Partnerships and Guarantees (IPG) Department. The core values guiding our work include our passion for sustainable poverty reduction, our willingness to put the needs of the client at the center of all our activities, and our honesty and integrity as a common currency.
For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure
Digital Development Global Practice
The Digital Development Global Practice (DD) is part of the Bank's Infrastructure Practice Group. 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 Development team helps design and deliver ICT-enhanced solutions to a diverse range of clients. The team supports clients (i) through advisory assistance to establish policy and regulatory environments that allow the widespread use of technology and create a trust environment; (ii) lending operations by building infrastructure to connect the unconnected, or enabling digital government shared platforms (cloud, digital, identification, etc.).
For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment
The DD Global Practice is led by a Director supported by three Practice Managers with specific regional responsibilities and two Practice Managers with global responsibilities. The IDD02 Unit is responsible of the Digital Development activities and portfolio in the Africa West/Central and MNA regions, including lending, supervision and analytical work.
IDD02 is looking for a Digital Development (DD) Specialist to be based in Headquarters, Washington D.C.. English is essential for this position. The DD Specialist will report to the Practice Manager.
Duties and responsibilities:
The DD specialist will be responsible for:
Contributing to the design, preparation and supervision of World Bank Group financed Digital Development related investment and policy reform programs in client countries with a particular emphasis on stimulating development of digital connectivity infrastructure through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and regulatory/policy reforms, facilitating development of digital government IT infrastructure, platforms and services, and promoting development of digital skills and innovation.
Supporting tracking of operational engagements operationalizing the Digital Economy for Africa initiative (investment operations and development policy operations) and progress against targets and commitments as needed.
Advising clients on strategies, best practices and design of programs to develop the foundations of their digital economies. This may include participating in complex 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 ICT 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.
Liaising and providing 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
Contributing to policy dialogue with senior officials of client countries, regional institutions and development partner agencies.
Preparing and supervising publication of best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the DD sector.
Performing economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, banking cases, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, PPP schemes, financing plans, etc.
Representing the DD Unit and the Bank at Digital Development related fora and events, as well as liaison in the above areas 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.
Excellent analytical skills, including using metrics and indicators to determine targets for digital transformation, take stock of developments over time, and use data driven results monitoring as an instrument to advance policy reforms and investments.
Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in supporting the delivery of project operations within the Bank or similar type of projects/products for other entities.
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 new innovations.
Experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including government officials, policy-makers and regulators, consultants and academics. Proven experience in international or national working groups tasked with proposing action plans on digital transformation / digital economy would be an advantage.
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.
Excellent written communication skills in English as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable and effective manner.
Excellent presentation skills, using charts, graphs and other data presentation techniques appropriately to communicate data, technical information, or complex concepts to non-specialists.
Proficiency in office software such as Power Point, Excel, Database management, etc. Proficiency in advanced level in excel is an advantage.
Strong drive for results, ta...
