Senior Digital Specialist

Senior Digital Specialist

Job #:

req35026

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Digital Development

Grade:

GG

Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English, Spanish

Preferred Language(s):

Portuguese and French

Closing Date:

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

Description

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. For more information, visit

Digital Global Practice

The Digital Global Practice is a Vice-presidency of the World Bank.

It plays a critical role in enabling the achievement of the World Bank's Twin Goals of ending poverty and promoting shared prosperity as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Digital technologies are transforming firms, governments and people's lives; and with the digital economy growing at a rate significantly higher than that of the global economy, it offers emerging economies a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional paths for development through digital solutions.

Collaborating across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries, the Digital team helps design and deliver Digital-enhanced solutions to a diverse range of clients. The team supports clients (i) through advisory assistance to establish policy and regulatory environments that allow the widespread use of digital technologies and create a trust environment; (ii) lending operations by building infrastructure to connect the unconnected, or enabling digital government shared platforms (cloud, digital, identification, etc.).

For more information:

The Digital Vice-Presidency is led by a Vice-President supported by several Global and Regional Directors, and Practice Managers with specific regional and thematic responsibilities. The DLCDD unit is responsible for Digital Development activities and portfolio in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, including lending, supervision and analytical work.

DLCDD is looking for a Senior Digital Specialist to be based in Washington, DC. The work program will be primarily to support Central America and the Caribbean, but also in other countries of the LAC region as the needs arise. The position will be reporting to the Program Manager for Digital in LAC.

Duties and responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the digital practice manager The Senior Digital Specialist, will be responsible for the following:

• Lead missions and supervise major projects in the sector as a Sr Digital 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.

• Lead the design, preparation and supervision of World Bank Group financed digital related investments and policy reform programs in client countries, with a particular emphasis on stimulating development of digital infrastructure through leveraging private sector investments, strengthening regulatory agencies and digital authorities with special emphasis on cybersecurity and emerging tech capabilities, facilitating development of digital government infrastructure, platforms and services, and promoting development of digital skills and innovation.

• 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 just-in-time technical and strategic expertise on the design of the overall policy, institutional and delivery framework for a digital economy .

•Participate in complex technical assistance activities and provide ad hoc technical and strategic expertise on the design of the overall policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the development of the digital economy in client countries, including development of National Digital Economy
•Policy and Digital Strategy documents.

• Develop innovative and practical approaches to solving difficult policy and operational issues for selected high priority topics in Digital Development, notably around Institutional Design, Capacity Development, Regulation, and Ecosystem Building.

•Generate high-quality thought leadership products—including think pieces, best-practice papers, policy briefs, and blog articles—for publication on institutional and public platforms. Prepare and supervise the development of best-practice notes and analytical reports on digital transformation,
•Cybersecurity and AI ensuring technical rigor, relevance, and alignment with global standards.

• Lead the resolution of complex technical, institutional, and program implementation challenges across the digital sector, including the direct engagement with member governments and partner agencies to address implementation issues.

• Provide specialized technical expertise and policy advice on digital governance, institutional reform, and project design, with a focus on digital safeguards and emerging technologies—such as AI, quantum computing, blockchain, and virtual reality—as well as core components of Digital Public Infrastructure (eID, payments, interoperability, e-signature, among others).

• 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 and to stimulate digital innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in those sectors by private sector actors.

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

• Work independently under general direction of unit manager, in collaboration with other team members, and guide and mentor junior staff.

• Represent the Digital Unit and the Bank at regulatory and other fora and events, as well as liaise in the above areas with key external and internal partners (including energy, water, transport, financial services, and private sector advisory services) on ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulatory matters and playing a leadership role in related fora.

• Conduct business development activities to support development of the Digital Transformation portfolio in the region following the one world bank group approach.

Selection Criteria

• Masters or PhD degree in economics, public policy, private sector development, technology, telecom engineering, or another relevant field.

• At least 8 years of relevant experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility. Experience leading telecoms operators, digital consultancies or Digital Authorities/Ministries/Agencies would be a particular advantage.

• Excellent operational skills and ability to lead complex policy dialogue.

• Excellent leadership and supervisory skills with established track record managing multi-location and virtual teams.

• Demonstrated in-depth experience and track record of results and successfully working across sectors, disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

• Ability to influence dialogue and policy on Digital Transformation and its use in other sectors without direct control or authority.

• Strong sense of strategy, including ability to prioritize and exit activities and engagements; track record in streamlining and rationalizing product offerings.

• Good partnership experience, including involving multiple stakeholders – both public and private – in building collaborative alliances for results.

• Experience in applying practice know-how and effective policy dialogue to achieve development results.

• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish (required) with proven experience in dealing with the media, external stakeholder and expert groups.

• 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, mentor staff, and resolve conflicts constructively.

• Proficiency in English and Spanish is essential and ability to interact with clients in French and Portuguese would be an advantage.

WBG Leadership Values and Behaviors:

Leadership of Self: Role model the change and values for WBG; Demonstrate courage of convictions, ownership and self-mastery within the organization in accordance with our values.

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 decisions once they have been made.

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.