Digital Specialist – Data Centers and Cloud Computing

Digital Specialist – Data Centers and Cloud Computing

Job #:

req34762

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Digital Development

Grade:

GF

Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

11/14/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the world's greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit

VPU Context

The Digital Vice Presidency was established on July 1, 2024, and guides the 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 Vice Presidency has the critical mission of delivering on this development promise. The Digital Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation.

Unit Context

The Connectivity and Data Infrastructure (DTFCD) unit, under the Digital Foundations Directorate, plays a pivotal role in helping client countries build the foundational infrastructure needed for digital economies and societies. DTFCD focuses on strengthening broadband connectivity, device and data affordability and data infrastructure to ensure that individuals, businesses, and governments can access and benefit from digital transformation. The unit's work is guided by the principles of affordability, reliability, interoperability, and inclusivity, with a strong emphasis on closing the digital divide and enabling cross-sectoral digital integration.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Digital Specialist will proactively apply cloud and data centers with expertise to drive the World Bank Group's market-based approach to data hosting and cloud computing. The Digital Specialist position will focus on data infrastructure and cloud computing, supporting financing and technical assistance for data center or cloud infrastructure and services in emerging markets. This includes but is not limited to:

Technical Expertise to Country Engagements

• Provide technical and strategic guidance to country teams in designing, preparing, supervising, and implementing World Bank Group projects, ensuring alignments with principles and best practices.

• Advise on regulatory and policy frameworks to help low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) adopt modernized data hosting and computing arrangements and develop their cloud and data centers markets

• Engage in policy dialogues with senior officials of client countries to address stated, unstated and emerging needs in cloud and data centers.

Global Knowledge and Thought Leadership

• Implement the analytical and knowledge program related to data centers and cloud in synergy with the Knowledge Bank approach.
• Develop analytical work and knowledge products to provide robust guidance on cloud adoption, deployment and market development, covering topics such as cloud-first policies, government cloud deployment, private capital mobilization (PCM) strategies and data center development.
• Build and manage partnerships with academia, cloud providers, development partners, and civil organizations to exchange insights and identify best practices in the sector.

Network and Partnerships

• Coordinate with WBG entities, including IFC and MIGA, to mobilize private capital and address the data center digital divide.
• Demonstrate World Bank knowledge and thought leadership on data centers and cloud to various audiences and represent the Bank in high-level meetings and conferences.
• Facilitate and coordinate webinar series, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to engage stakeholders and disseminate best practices.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in public policy, digital development, economics, technology policy, international development, or other related fields, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent technical and analytical skills at the intersection of digital development, emerging technologies, digital skills and ICT industry including the ability to simplify complex issues & think innovatively.
• Prior experience with World Bank corporate support and strategy, as well as country management, including the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, while delivering high quality outputs.
• Prior experience with World Bank operations—especially leading analytical work, supporting client dialogue, designing inclusive interventions, developing indicators, and supporting project implementation.
• Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable, and effective manner.
• Driven, self-starter who can proactively solve problems constructively and effectively and with professionalism.
• High degree of discretion, ethics, tact, and sensitivity in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong attention-to-detail, creative problem-solving, and coordination/logistics skills.
• Proven ability to function effectively as a team member of multi-disciplinary teams and resolve disagreements constructively.
• Working proficiency in English is essential. Fluency in other languages is a plus.

WBG Culture Attributes

• Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
• Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.