Job Details

E T Consultant - Digitalization

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, please visit www.worldbank.org

REGIONAL CONTEXT:

The Middle East and North Africa (MNA) Region Context 

Countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MNA) region confront a vast array of development challenges, from an uncertain and uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic to the implications of decelerating global economy, deepening geopolitical divisions, protracted regional conflicts, and climate change. These overlapping crises are amplified by longstanding structural relating to economic governance that contribute to an outsized presence of the state in the economy, high unemployment rates among women and youth, and limited intraregional trade and investment. 

Overcoming these challenges will allow MNA countries to realize their vast development potential, endowed as the region is with a rapidly growing and highly educated population, geo-strategic location, and abundance of renewable energy potential. To unlock this potential, the World Bank is advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development through a two-pronged strategy that seeks to respond to sudden and severe crises while supporting reforms that spur structural transformation and job creation, advance gender equity, strengthen regional cooperation, and accelerate green transitions. This strategy is operationalized through a differentiated approach that reflects the distinct circumstances of the World Bank’s clients in the region, comprising 20 countries that range from active IBRD borrowers and IDA recipients to recipients of reimbursable advisory services and non-active countries with whom the Bank maintains a policy dialogue.
 
For more information: www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena 

SECTORAL CONTEXT: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION 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:
    
• 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. 
• 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.). 
   
Both pillars will be the channels through which the Vertical will support World Bank achieving its objectives in cross-cutting areas like jobs and skills, climate and green, fragility, conflict and violence, and gender and inclusion.
   
For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment 

The Digital Transformation MNA Unit (DMNDU) is responsible for Digital Transformation activities and portfolio in the Middle East and North Africa region, including lending, supervision, and analytical work. 
 
DMNDU is looking for a Digital Analyst to be based in Washington D.C. The Digital Analyst will report to the Practice Manager. 
  
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
 
The Digital Analyst will support and provide technical input on digital transformation operations, technical assistance projects and analytical work. Specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

Operations and Technical Assistance 
• Provide inputs to diverse operational products/outputs (e.g. sector and country briefings, background reports, case studies, etc); 
• Support operational teams in preparing cost-benefit and economic analyses for operations.  
• Conduct research and literature review on digital transformation and contribution to job creation, economic growth and inclusion to support contributions to key country documents such as Country Economic Memoranda, Country Partnership Frameworks, as well as operational project documents, among others. 
• Prepare country briefs and standardized country notes including statistics and key indicators on digital transformation.
 
Policy Dialogue, Analytics and Knowledge Agenda 
• Participate and contribute to economic and financial analysis to inform decisions on the World Bank’s digital transformation strategies, project design, and financing plans, etc. 
• Support the DMNDU's policy dialogue, including contribution to Policy Notes, Country Notes, Country Partner Strategies, and other policy documents; 
• Contribute to regional reports on digital skills and digital public infrastructure through data analysis and case studies.  
• Contribute to the DMNDU’s knowledge agenda through (i) preparation of analytical and good practice briefs and knowledge products; (iii) support of the team's communication and dissemination efforts. 

Note 
The selected candidate will not be assigned to programs involving his/her own government such as donor coordination and trust fund management. 

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in economics or other related discipline 
• At least two years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience in conducting economic research, policy analysis; experience in topics related to digital transformation sector a plus. 
• Ability to think strategically about the role of digital technologies in other sectors of the economy 
• Experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers and regulators, consultants and academics 
• Strong organizational, research, and oral presentation skills 
• Strong written communication skills in English, including demonstrated ability to write reports and deliver technical information to clients, the international development community, academia, and internal working groups 
• Proven ability to work in a team and intercultural environment, with minimal supervision 
• Hands-on and action-oriented approach 
• Proficiency in office software such as Power Point, Excel, Database management, etc. 
• Fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in Arabic and/or French is an advantage. 
• Enthusiasm for, and commitment to development work 
• Field experience in several MNA/AFE/AFW countries a plus

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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