Lead Digital Specialist

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Represent Digital MENAAP in high-level policy dialogues, partnership meetings, and international forums on digital transformation and AI.
• Connect the mission of Digital MENAAP in delivering on the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) with the efforts of the other verticals and sectors of the WBG, including with IFC and MIGA.
• Prepare and review strategic Senior Management briefings and engagements.

Technical Expertise and Program Delivery

• Provide technical leadership to Digital MENAAP team and client governments on complex digital development issues, including digital infrastructure, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), data governance, cybersecurity, and AI for development.
• Lead strategic lending operations.
• Lead the design and implementation of flagship knowledge products in Digital MENAAP, ensuring they are policy-relevant and actionable for client countries.

Operational Support

• Guide task teams in integrating the solutions of the World Bank Group’s Global Digital & AI Implementation Plan into WBG Lending and Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) operations across the MENAAP region.
• Review and clear technical deliverables—policy notes, concept notes, mission outputs—to ensure high quality standards and compliance with all corporate requirements, and provide hands-on guidance to task team leaders and client-facing teams on project design and implementation, in close coordination with Digital MENAAP PM.
• Support the Digital MENAAP PM on portfolio and budget monitoring, anticipating issues and advising the PM on ad hoc issues regarding country engagements (portfolio, sector dialogue), as well as dialogue with country units and partners.
• Mentor junior staff including grooming task team leads.
• Liaise with global expert teams to provide regional contribution to the Knowledge Bank in alignment with the World Bank Group’s Global Digital & AI Strategy; and ensure support by the Knowledge Bank to regional engagements.

Partnership Management and Outreach

• Serve as the focal point in Digital MENAAP for the coordination between the MENAAP Regional Vice President Front Office and Development Partners active in Digital (e.g. AIIB, IsDB…).
• Facilitate collaboration between Digital MENAAP and other WB Global Practices to ensure the effective transfer of digital and AI knowledge and innovation across boundaries.
• Lead outreach and communication initiatives to raise the visibility of MENAAPs contributions to global digital and AI transformation.

Results Monitoring, Financial Management and Governance

• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) Results Framework and workplan indicators for MENAAP.
• Promote learning, transparency, and knowledge sharing through publications, workshops, and digital platforms.

Skillset

• Minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience in digital transformation, digital and AI policy, law and regulation, or technology-driven development programs, including substantial experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Master’s degree or equivalent (PhD preferred) in information technology, computer science, engineering, economics, public policy, law, or related field.
• Deep technical knowledge and policy understanding in at least two of the following domains: broadband and data infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, data governance, digital government, or digital economy and AI policy, with demonstrated ability to connect these areas to development outcomes.
• Proven record of leading complex analytical and operational work related to digital and AI transformation in developing countries, including advisory services, capacity-building, or pilot implementations; experience and knowledge of the MNAAP region is a strong plus.
• Strong understanding of private sector engagement, private capital mobilization and PPP approaches in Digital & AI.
• Extensive experience leading the design, development, and supervision of large-scale programs or lending operations, with a strong understanding of WBG’s operational policies and project financing frameworks, is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor staff across grades and technical areas.
• Strong ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable results.
• Strong understanding of how countries can harness digital and artificial intelligence (AI) safely to accelerate development impact and advance the jobs agenda. Trusted digital and AI systems can create opportunities for countries, increasing use of services and aid the private sector to create and transform jobs.
• Prior engagement in the region at senior policy level is desirable.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and diplomatic skills, with a track record of managing partnerships with governments, academia, and the private sector.
• Experience collaborating with or within other sectors (e.g. Health, Social Protection, Education, Agriculture…) in digital and AI is a strong asset.
• Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation abilities, capable of simplifying complex technical topics for policy audiences.
• Full command of English (and preferably also Arabic); proficiency in French is desirable.