Digital Specialist โ Education (Skills & Technology) Job #: req34129 Organization: World Bank Sector: Digital Development Grade: GF Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 9/5/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the worldโs greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
VPU Context: The Digital Transformation Vertical Vice Presidency was established on July 1, 2024, and guides the 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 has the critical mission of delivering on this development promise. The Digital Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation.
Unit Context: The Digital Economy and Society unit within the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Services department of the Digital Vice Presidency helps client countries turn digital access into meaningful human and economic outcomes. This includes working with sectors, such as education, health, agriculture, and social protection, to identify and scale digital solutions that improve service delivery, inclusion, and resilience. Technology is transforming both education and skills development. In education systems, digital toolsโsuch as AI-enabled tutoring, adaptive learning platforms, teacher professional development tools, and education data systemsโare reshaping how learning is delivered, supported, and assessed. In workforce and lifelong learning programs, digital platforms and online learning solutions are enabling the acquisition of digital skills and other 21st century competencies critical for employment and productivity in a digital economy. The Digital Economy and Society unit works in close collaboration with the Education Global Practice (GP), contributing specialized expertise on integrating technology into education and skills projects as part of broader sectoral and cross-sectoral programs. While the Education GP leads client dialogue and education sector operations, the Digital Use unit supports these efforts with technical advice, knowledge, and tools that ensure technology solutions are pedagogically sound, contextually relevant, and technologically robust.
Duties and accountabilities:ย The Digital Specialist โ Education (Skills & Technology) will integrate technology into education and skills development projects and contribute technical expertise on the integration of education, skills development, and technology into Bank operations. The person in this position will report to the Practice Manager, Digital Economy and Society, and will work closely with Senior Digital Specialists, the Education GP, and other sector teams.
In close collaboration with senior digital development specialists and sector teams, the Digital Specialist will:
โข Support the integration of technology into education sector operations, ensuring alignment with curriculum, pedagogy, learning science, and inclusion principles.
โข Contribute to the design and implementation of digital skills development programs within education systems and in cross-sectoral workforce initiatives.
โข Provide technical input on selecting, adapting, and integrating appropriate technologies into education and skills projects.
โข Document and share lessons learned on effective integration of technology into learning and skills development.
Key Responsibilities
1. Technical Inputs and Solution Assessment
โข Provide technical contributions to the design and review of EdTech and digital skills components in Bank-financed projects.
โข Assess the pedagogical appropriateness, technological feasibility, and scalability of proposed solutions, including AI-enabled tools, adaptive learning platforms, and digital training platforms.
โข Contribute to the development of technical specifications and evaluation of vendor proposals for education and skills technology solutions.
2. Education and Skills Development Integration
โข Ensure that technology integration in education projects aligns with curriculum, pedagogy, learning assessment, and teacher professional development priorities.
โข Support the design of technology-enabled skills development initiatives, including those for youth, women, and marginalized groups in both formal and non-formal settings.
โข Promote equitable access to technology-enabled learning opportunities, particularly in low-resource and low-connectivity contexts.
3. Project and Operational Support
โข Contribute to project preparation, appraisal, and supervision activities in close coordination with Education GP and other sector teams.
โข Support monitoring and evaluation of technology-enabled education and skills development interventions, including the use of data to improve design and implementation.
4. Analytical and Knowledge Work
โข Contribute to analytical work, toolkits, and case studies on integrating technology into education and skills development.
โข Document global and regional best practices in EdTech and digital skills programs, and assess their applicability to client country contexts.
โข Track emerging trends in education technology, digital skills training, and learning science.
5. Collaboration and Inclusion
โข Work closely with Education GP and sector teams to ensure alignment and complementarity between digital and sectoral strategies.
โข Promote gender equality, youth inclusion, and accessibility for persons with disabilities in all technology-enabled education and skills projects.
Selection Criteria
โข Masterโs degree or higher in education, instructional design, curriculum and pedagogy, learning sciences, educational technology, computer science, information systems, or a related field.โข Strong academic foundation in education (e.g., curriculum, pedagogy, learning science) or technology, with professional experience across both domains.โข Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in designing, implementing, or researching EdTech or digital skills programs.โข Demonstrated ability to integrate technology into education and/or skills projects in a way that is pedagogically sound and technologically robust.โข Knowledge of education and skills sector policies, systems, and governance in Low and Middle Income (LMIC) contexts.โข Familiarity with AI in education, adaptive learning, online skills training, or data analytics for learning outcomes is an advantage.โข Strong analytical, problem-solving, and writing skills.โข Experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.