Regional Director Digital

World Bank Group

Regional Context

The Regional Director will cover Digital Transformation in two regions: Europe and Central Asia (ECA) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LCR).

The Regional Director will jointly report to ECA and LCR Regional Vice Presidents

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people.

A predominantly middle-income region, ECA continues to be at the forefront in confronting the numerous development challenges that countries face in the evolving global economy.

Several countries in the region face structural and legacy issues, including an incomplete transition to a market economy and declining productivity, weak institutional capacity, dependance on fossil fuels, limited physical and digital connectivity and demographic transition.

The spillover impacts of recent shocks (COVID-19, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, weather shocks and natural disaster) have further exacerbated these challenges, with significant impacts on the level, inclusiveness and sustainability of growth and overall living standards.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is working closely with IFC and MIGA to support ECA countries to address to support climate action, including energy transition and water management, human capital and economic inclusion, productivity and job creation, and physical and digital connectivity.

The region has a strong lending pipeline as well as a large portfolio of Trust Funds (TFs) and Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS).

Knowledge is critical to the Bank's value proposition to client countries in the ECA region in both lending and advisory services.

Similarly, the WBG serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR).

Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to one fragile state.

Despite immense resources, dynamic societies, and an average annual per capita income of about $4,000, deep inequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter of the Region's people living in poverty.

The last Bank's strategy for LCR focused on three pillars:
(a) supporting the foundations for inclusive growth; (b) investing in human capital and protecting the poor; and (c) building resilience. In the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic, this strategy will need to be adjusted to better support the countries deal with a health crisis without precedents and an economic crisis not seen since modern statistical records started in 1900.

Yet, the basic elements of the strategy:

accelerating growth (following a projected GDP contraction in 2020 of 7.2%), investing in human capital, including in health (in the most affected region by COVID19), and building resilience appear fully relevant.

For more information about the ECA region:

For more information about the LAC 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 will support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation through:

• Building digital infrastructure and data platforms (including AI, cloud computing 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 digitalizing 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
• Coordinating 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, through its global and regional teams and working in collaboration with other teams across the World Bank, will deploy 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:

• Financing to governments in the form of grants, loans, guarantees, and risk management products to support digital investment projects and implement policy reforms.
• 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:
Duties and accountabilities

The Regional Director, has overall responsibility for the following areas: setting the overall strategic priorities for the Digital program; managing the risks, deliverables, portfolio quality, and achievement of results of the Digital program; coordinating the external dialogue on digital transformation with country clients, development partners, regional organizations and private sector entities; support the Regional leadership teams (RLTs) of both ECA and LCR to ensure regional efforts are mainstreamed in-country programs; and work with IFC and MIGA management in ensuring that the totality of WBG efforts is coherent and impactful.

The Regional Director will report to both the ECA and LCR Regional Vice Presidents.

The Regional Director will assume the following duties and accountabilities:

• Working with the regional VPs, Regional Leadership Teams (RLTs), regional organizations, and client countries to identify the strategic direction and priorities for the Digital program and translate this into action.
• Secure and manage resources for preparing transformative and impactful Digital programs.
• Ensure the Digital program's portfolio quality and risk management systems are strong.
• Identify and lead regional ASA related to programs in line with regional priorities.
• Lead overall policy dialogue and coordination of WB efforts on digital transformation with regional organizations, country clients, development partners and private sector entities.
• Work with RLT members, including CDs, to ensure strong alignment and mainstreaming of Digital regional programs in country dialogue and operations.
• Work closely with IFC and MIGA management to ensure there is a coherent WBG effort and integrated solutions on digital transformation.
• As a member of the ECA and LCR RLTs, contribute to the overall work of both regions. Work collaboratively with the Digital Vice-President and Global Leadership Team (GLT), including the Global Director (GD) for Digital Transformation.

Solutions and Results to Clients

• Leads his/her team to deliver ECA's and LCR's key strategic priorities and, in collaboration with other stakeholders, ensures alignment with the WBG Strategy.
• Draws on thought leadership and implementation know-how to ensure high impact solutions.
• Accountable for delivering high-quality and timely results.
• Assist the management team in building and maintaining a balanced portfolio of innovative, cost-effective, demand-driven products and services that reflect corporate priorities.
• Implements quality control processes/inputs to support the delivery of products and services.
• Ensures the availability and maintenance of portfolio, pipeline, staff, and budget information, as well as portfolio quality and performance metrics, to inform WBG management.
• Leads on high-priority initiatives and projects.
• Provides cross-sectoral solutions to clients, working within and across the WBG.

People/ Talent Management

• Models exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors and reinforces these qualities in own team and staff.
• Drives and inspires technical excellence within the team and the unit by creating an environment of learning and innovation that attracts and develops the best talent reflective of the diversity of our clients.
• Oversees and supports regional management in developing and implementing appropriate strategies for global staffing, deployment, talent, and performance management.
• Along with and on behalf of the VPs, contributes to implementing and monitoring compliance with talent management, diversity, and inclusion plans.
• Encourages and incentivizes staff mobility across units and contributes to career development.
• Works closely with LCR and ECA Front Office, CDs, PMs and Talent Boards and Talent Council to plan staff needs, including guiding the regional staffing requirements, and providing input into decentralization plans, strategic staffing, and the D&I agenda for the LCR and ECA Region and the Digital Practice Group.

Resource Management

• Manages the department's budget (internal and external funds) to support implementing the ECA's and LCR's strategies. Helps managers optimize the various sources of funding for better client delivery.
• In consultation with relevant stakeholders within the WBG, decide on the best use of internal and external resources for maximum client and developmental impact.
• Is accountable for delivering the agreed upon work program through cost-effective use of resources (human and budget) within the agreed parameters, in compliance with internal controls and policies, and ensures timely delivery and overall quality of the ECA's and LCR's outputs.

Knowledge Management

• Engages with managers and other directors in the ECA and LCR regions to develop a knowledge and learning strategy and approach that integrates cross-cutting and multi-sectoral links.
• Provides personal leadership in one or more of the areas critical to the implementation of the ECA's and LCR's strategies and priorities and helps integrate policy direction and strategic priorities with business development and operational priorities.
• Ensures the timely flow and capture of knowledge and expertise so that clients receive the highest-quality support and knowledge they need, when and where they need it.
• Promotes innovative and cross-cutting research and the dissemination of technical and experiential knowledge and learning.
• Instills a culture of evidence-based yet client-tailored engagement for the highest development impact.

Selection Criteria

The selected candidate must meet the following criteria:

• Deep technical knowledge and experience in Digital Transformation or related fields and ability to work across GPs, IFC, and MIGA, as well as with other partners such as the private sector, to maximize digital transformation outcomes.
• Master's or PhD degree in Digital-related areas of economics, finance, management, or international relations; typically, the successful candidate will have 15 or more years of relevant experience in increasingly complex and responsible positions.
• Strong familiarity with cutting-edge technologies and new business models in the digital sector.
• Strong ability to engage with many sectors/Global Practices and experience in working across the World Bank Group.
• Solid knowledge of Bank operations and policies. Track record of managing complex and large work programs, budgets, portfolio monitoring and supervision, with proven results.
• Track record of managing complex and large work programs with proven results.

Demonstrated leadership:
an energetic, motivated leader with the capacity to drive change and innovation.

• Personal leadership in shaping and leading new agendas, bringing thought leadership and analysis together with delivery capacity for maximum client impact.
• Recognized expert within WBG or among one or more of the following: academia, partners, private sector actors, and policymakers, and with a track record of applying practice know-how and effective policy dialogue to achieve development results.
• Proven ability to effectively implement complex change management initiatives.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with proven experience in dealing with the media, external constituencies and/or expert groups.

WBG Leadership Values and Managerial Behaviors

Leadership of Self:

Role model the change and values for WBG; Demonstrate courage of convictions, ownership, and self-mastery within the organization according to our values.

People Leadership:
Lead and inspire staff to perform and deliver for better results. Help others achieve their fullest potential through coaching and mentorship.

Collaborative Leadership:
Be mutually accountable for entire WBG's corporate targets and success. Work across WBG and with clients and partners to achieve better results.

Client Solutions Leadership:
Be the leading provider of development solutions for country clients. Provide leadership in both knowledge generation and knowledge sharing.

Decisive Leadership:
Take informed risks and make decisions in a transparent manner resulting in transformative impact for clients. Commit to decision once they have been made.

WBG Managerial Competencies:

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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Sector:
Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role:
Other

Working hours (%

):80-100%

Job type:
Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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