Senior Digital Development Specialist

Senior Digital Development Specialist

Job #:

req34931

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Digital Development

Grade:

GG

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Arabic

Closing Date:

12/1/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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. Visit

The Middle East and North Africa Region (MENAAP)

The World Bank works with the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan to eliminate poverty and promote shared prosperity through strengthening human capital, supporting jobs and economic transformation, advancing gender equity, addressing fragility, and enabling green growth. MENAAP attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. MENAAP is organized in seven Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MAPDE). It places high value on diversity.

Digital Vice-Presidency

The Digital Vertical Vice Presidency was established on July 1, 2024, and is guiding World Bank Group efforts to establish the foundations of a digital economy, build and enhance digital and data infrastructure, ensure cybersecurity and data privacy for institutions, businesses, and citizens, and advance digital government services. Digital technologies, including AI and data, present a unique opportunity to accelerate development. The Digital Vertical has the critical mission of delivering on this development promise. 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. 

For more information:

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

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, law, economics, public policy or related field with a minimum of 8 years of experience in ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulation, ICT sector, and/or ICT / Digital Economy project design and implementation.

• 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

• Firm understanding of digital technologies, digital transformation of society, and digitally enabled business model trends relevant to socio-economic development in the Middle Eastern context and enthusiasm to stay abreast of new innovations;

• 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

• Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in supporting the delivery of project operations and project implementation and supervision within the Bank or similar type of projects/products for other entities; knowledge and experience in World Bank Group Policy and Procedure Framework (PPF) is not mandatory but would be a plus

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable and effective manner.  Having authored published papers and reports is a plus. 

• Excellent presentation skills, using visual and other data presentation techniques appropriately to communicate data, technical information, or complex concepts to non-specialists

• Strong drive for results, taking personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results

• Sound 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

• Prior work experience in the Middle East North Africa Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) Region, 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.

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