Senior Digital Development Specialist The World Bank

The Digital Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams are supporting 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.

The MENAAP Digital Unit is responsible for Digital activities and portfolio in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, including lending, supervision, and analytical work.

The Unit is looking for a Senior Digital Specialist to be based in Riyadh. The Senior Digital Specialist will report to the Practice Manager Digital for MENAAP.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Digital Reimbursable Advisory Services portfolio across GCC client countries.
• Lead the development of innovative knowledge products and strategic partnerships on cutting edge digital topics such as Artificial Intelligence and Digital Government, among others, and their applications in solving development challenges.
• Lead the design, preparation and supervision of World Bank Group financed digital related investment and policy reform programs in client countries with a particular emphasis on stimulating development of digital connectivity infrastructure through PPPs and regulatory/policy reforms, facilitating development of digital government IT infrastructure, platforms and services, and promoting development of digital skills and innovation as well as on addressing corporate requirements (e.g. climate change, gender)
• Advise 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
• Lead policy dialogue with senior officials of client countries, regional institutions, private sector/industry, and development partner agencies
• Provide technical expertise and advice on a range of ICT policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, investment and innovation in the telecoms sector and broadband value chain 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
• Provide 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
• Liaise and provide 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
• Develop innovative and practical approaches to solving difficult policy and operational issues for selected high priority telecommunications, ICT or digital economy related activities
• Lead publication of analytical papers, best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the digital sector
• Oversee and ensure highest quality of economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, PPP schemes, financing plans, etc.
• Represent the digital Unit and the Bank at digital related fora and events, as well as liaison in the above areas with key external partners