Lead Digital Development Specialist | Singapore, SG

Lead Digital Development Specialist
Job #: req32602
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Digital Development
Grade: GH
Term Duration: 4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Singapore, Singapore
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 4/23/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The South Asia Region

The South Asia Region comprises eight countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) that range in size from India (with a population of over 1 billion) to Maldives (with 0.3 million people). The region has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year over the past 20 years. This strong growth has translated into reducing extreme poverty and strong improvements in human development. At the same time, the region remains home to one-third of the world's poorest, and persistent structural challenges threaten to undermine sustained growth, hindering the region's ability to create jobs and respond to climate shocks.

Digital Vice Presidency

The Digital Transformation Vertical Vice Presidency was established on July 1, 2024, and will guide 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 Transformation Vertical will have the critical mission of delivering on this development promise. 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 two engagement pillars, six business lines, and multiple cross-cutting areas:

1. 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.
2. 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.).

The Opportunity

The World Bank Group's (WBG) engagement in digital transformation is rapidly growing in the South Asia region (SAR) in response to increased client demand for knowledge, technical assistance, and financing. The recently launched Accelerating Digitalization Global Challenge Program (the "GCP") seeks to enhance the speed, scale, and impact of the WBG's support to enable countries to make the most of digital opportunities and address emerging challenges in an effective and agile manner. For the South Asia region, the Digital Transformation team has developed the RISE Program - Reimagining Inclusive Services and Empowerment through Digital - to respond to the call for a programmatic platform to achieve scale and ambition in outcomes with a particular focus on affordable quality broadband, digital public infrastructure and high impact services, and digital skills/ICT industry for jobs and empowerment.

SAR Digital Transformation Unit is looking for a Lead Digital Transformation Specialist to be based in Singapore. The position will report to the SAR Practice Manager for Digital Transformation.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead selected strategic Digital Transformation strategic and operational engagement, including strategic or complex SAR operational as well as regional work (knowledge products, technical assistance, lending, supervision). Assist in coordination of business development and SAR CMUs engagement where needed. Working closely with TTLs to provide guidance, where determined necessary by the Practice Manager, on key areas of project design, development and supervision.
2. Where necessary, may need to work on and provide support to projects in other regions, including with travel to those regions, as determined by the PM.
3. Continually shape the strategic direction on key digital topics and provide technical and operational leadership to help translate the strategic vision into actionable programs to be implemented by the country teams in SAR.
4. Lead technical expertise and inputs on a range of key policy and regulatory issues in SAR to promote competition, private sector investment, and innovation in the digital economy. Invest in addressing complex client country issues which often require more a programmatic approach, including (1) innovative models for improved access to broadband connectivity and use of new technologies (e.g. satellite), together with IFC, (2) new PPP models to enhance data infrastructure, together with IFC; (3) whole of government approaches which requires investing in close collaboration with other GPs to develop key use cases linked to digital public infrastructure (digital ID, trusted data sharing); (4) and emerging technologies such as deployment of AI for development.
5. Ensure quality review and coordinate Digital Transformation inputs to project documents, policy notes and World Bank Group corporate documents and strategies for countries in SAR.
6. Ensure coordination across WBG, especially with IFC and MIGA and with CMUs and other GPs on the digital infrastructure and digital services and DPI agenda in SAR.
7. 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.
8. Closely monitor progress in the implementation of the SAR work program.
9. Provide leadership, effective guidance and mentoring for SAR team, supporting the Practice Manager, and serving as a technical adviser to more junior colleagues where needed.
10. Shape the strategy for cutting-edge analytical products and work closely with the SAR VPU, Regional Director and Chief economist and with other GPs and CMUs to coordinate the research and knowledge agenda.
11. Manage high-profile analytical products, papers, and tools as may be needed to help AFE countries and other partners better understand and implement good practices and international norms related to digital development (e.g. advanced PPP schemes, Universal Service, 5G, data infrastructure, etc.).

Selection Criteria

1. Master's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, law, economics, public policy or related field with a minimum of 12 years of experience in Digital Transformation/ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulation and/or ICT / Digital Economy project design and implementation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Extensive experience leading the design, development and supervision of lending operations. Excellent understanding of World Bank's operations and project financing and how prior experience in advising clients to invest or implement digital transformation initiatives in client countries.
3. Strong analytical and conceptual skills in both academic and policy contexts.
4. Deep technical knowledge of at least two of the core digital development business line topics in the context of low and middle-income countries.
5. Proven ability to translate complex technical subjects in an intuitively understandable way.
6. Strong organizational, research, and oral presentation skills.
7. Ability to lead teams and mentor junior staff.
8. Ability to travel extensively and frequently across the SAR region.
9. Ability to deliver results effectively under pressure and to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to and prioritize a variety of evolving tasks.
10. Working proficiency in English is essential.

This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

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.