Job Details

E T Consultant (Digital Development Specialist)

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 Digital Transformation Vice Presidency Unit

The Digital Transformation (DT) Vice Presidency Unit (VPU) plays a critical role in enabling the achievements of the Twin goals and the 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 Development team helps design and deliver ICT-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 technology 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: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment

The DT VPU is led by a Vice-President supported by seven Practice Managers and Program Managers with specific regional responsibilities and global responsibilities. The DAWDD Unit is responsible for the Digital Development activities and portfolio in the Western and Central Africa region, including lending, supervision and analytical work.
The DAWDD Unit is looking for an Extended-Term Consultant (ETC) to be based in Ouagadougou, BURKINA FASO. French and English are essential for this position. The ETC will report to the DAWDD Practice Manager. 

Duties and responsibilities:

The Senior DD specialist (ETC) will be responsible for:

• Contributing 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 digital transformation through regulatory/policy reforms, facilitating development of digital government IT infrastructure, platforms and services, and promoting development of digital skills and innovation.
• Advising clients on strategies, best practices and design of programs to develop digital government.  This may include participating in complex technical assistance activities and providing ad hoc technical and strategic expertise on the design of the overall policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the wider digital transformation as well as IT functions and digital services delivery, change management and capabilities within governments.
• 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.
• Supporting the Task Teams on policy dialogue on digital economy / digital transformation with senior officials of client countries, regional institutions and development partner agencies.  
• Preparing and supervising publication of best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the digital economy sector.
• Performing economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, banking cases, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, Public Private Partnership (PPP) schemes, financing plans, etc. in support of digital transformation.
• Developing with colleagues working in other sectors (including agriculture, health, education, energy, financial services, transport, 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.

Selection Criteria

Master's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, law, economics, public policy or related field with a preferred 8 years of experience (a minimum of 5 years of experience) in ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulation and/or ICT / Digital Economy project design and implementation.

SELECTION CRITERIA AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Strong understanding of the ecosystem of inter-related policies, strategies, institutions, laws and regulations needed to shape overall government, economy and societal digital/ data-driven development. 
• Strong understanding of interdependency of broadband connectivity, data infrastructure and high impact/high volume digital service and adaptative requirements of the enabling environment for trusted and safe data driven development. 
• Strong understanding and competency in business development skills and client engagement.  Assesses client needs in relation to the digital transformation and adoption trends, SDGs and the available Bank diagnostics and instruments. Conducts 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. 
• Solid knowledge of a wide range and mix of digital infrastructure and solutions financing alternatives, procurement options and business models. Proposes solutions to most government financing and operational business model needs, including integrated solutions at multi-sector, multi-agency, regional and supra-national levels. 
• Structures and delivers a full project concept, program or activity under limited supervision. 
• Engages and builds strong networks with the range of international organizations, thinktanks, academic institutions, private companies with whom the WB can collaborate and bring value to client developments. 
• 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.  Robust broad-based knowledge of several pillars of the digital economy for Africa framework (digital infrastructure, digital public platforms, digital financial services, digital businesses, digital skills).
• Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in leading / co-leading the delivery of project operations in broadband connectivity and or data infrastructure (datacenters and clouds) within the Bank or similar type of projects/products for other entities. The ideal candidate brings previous exposure to operational challenges in FCV environments
• Strong 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 in English and in French as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable and effective manner.
• Excellent presentation skills, using charts, graphs and other data presentation techniques appropriately to communicate data, technical information, or complex concepts to non-specialists.
• 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 in working with other Global Practices (GP), such as in multi-GP analytical work, would be an asset.
• Prior work experience in Africa, and good knowledge of digital sector issues in the region is a plus. The ideal candidate brings previous exposure to operational challenges in FCV environments 
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Proficiency in English and in French is essential.

WBG Core Competencies: https://bit.ly/2kbIA7O

Poverty has no borders. Neither does excellence. This is why we continually search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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. 

Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET appointment of three years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.