Senior Digital Specialist

Senior Digital Specialist

Job #:

req34171

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Digital Development

Grade:

GG

Term Duration:

4 years

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea; Manila,Philippines

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

9/10/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.

East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Region

EAP is a large and diverse region, ranging from the Small Island Developing States of the Pacific to Indonesia, The Philippines, and China. Despite substantial economic growth and poverty reduction, the EAP region faces significant development challenges. Growth and poverty reduction have been uneven across and within countries, institutional development needs strengthening, and most countries are having to adapt to affected by climate change. The Bank plays a significant role on infrastructure, biodiversity, water, agriculture, pollution, private sector development, and health. The COVID pandemic, fragmentation in international trade, and increasingly, population aging, are compounding the impact of the global economic slowdown. The World Bank Group is seen as a premier development institution in the Region, with a leadership role on analytical and advisory services as well as financing.

East Asia and the Pacific Region:

Digital Vice Presidency

Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation through:

• Building digital infrastructure and data platforms (including digital connectivity infrastructure, data infrastructure 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 digitizing 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 VPU deploys 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.

For more information:

Job duties and accountabilities

The Senior Digital Specialist will be responsible for the following across the EAP region including, but not limited to, for Digital operations and activities in Pacific Island countries and in the Philippines:

• Lead missions and supervise major projects in the sector as a technical expert; interact with clients at the policy and senior management levels, organize and manage policy notes on digital development and policy evaluation in collaboration with sector agencies, development partners and other Global Practices.

• Contribute 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 leveraging private sector investments with matching investments from the Bank, strengthening regulatory agencies, facilitating development of digital government infrastructure, platforms and services, and promoting development of digital skills, jobs and innovation.

• Advise clients on strategies, best practices and the design of programs on a range of digital transformation policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, investment, innovation, and job creation 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 a range of policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, private sector investment and innovation in the digital economy sector with the aim of achieving by 2030 people, businesses, and governments to be digitally enabled.

• Contribute to policy dialogue with senior officials of client countries, regional institutions, and development partner agencies.

• Perform economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, banking cases, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, Public Private Partnership (PPP) schemes, and financing plans in support of digital transformation.

• Developing with colleagues working in other sectors (including health, education, energy, financial services, transport, tourism, etc.) innovative and practical approaches to leverage digital technologies to improve service delivery and efficiency in the respective sectors and to stimulate digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in those sectors by private sector actors.

• Representing the EAP Digital Unit and the Bank at digital development-related fora and events, as well as liaison in the above areas with key external partners.

Thisinternal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-termand extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requestednot to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will notbe considered.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree or PhD in economics, telecommunications, engineering, computer science, law, public policy, or related field

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, including strong track record of successfully leading Investment Project Financing (IPF) operations.

• Ability to lead a team of professionals in the preparation and implementation of major projects.

• Ability to think independently and demonstrate political sensitivity and mature judgment.

• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and demonstrated effectiveness in developing and maintaining positive client (internal and external) and partners relations.

• Ability to coach, mentor and develop more junior staff.

• Excellent analytical and writing skills as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable, and effective manner.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated in depth knowledge and understanding of the project management concepts as they relate to the implementation of complex, multi-functional projects in varied geographical and economic conditions.

• Recognized by peers and/or managers for ability to identify and proactively solve operational issues and problems.

• Successful track record as team leader for lending operations and analytical activities (ASAs); provides advice to peers and/or managers as a Peer Reviewer on projects and ASAs under preparation.

• Strong understanding of the ecosystem of inter-related policies, strategies, infrastructure, institutions, laws, and regulations needed to promote digital development.

• Strong business development skills, including an ability to assesses client needs in relation to the digital transformation and adoption trends, SDGs and the available Bank diagnostics and instruments.

• 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, and to conduct core business development tasks, such as preparing project proposals, drafting project concept notes, facilitating client co-design workshops, understanding, and complying with operational procedures in relation to new business opportunities.

• Excellent 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 with a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable, and effective manner.

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

• Strong 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.

• Experience working in FCV and Small Island States environments would be an asset.

• Willingness to travel extensively and frequently outside of duty station.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency - Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking - Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability - Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.