Senior Digital Specialist

Senior Digital Specialist Job #: req34316 Organization: World Bank Sector: Digital Development Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Kinshasa,Congo Democratic Republic Required Language(s): English, French Preferred Language(s): Portuguese Closing Date: 10/3/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. 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.

Digital Vice Presidency

 The Digital 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 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

Unit overview

Digital Vice Presidency has both global and regional units. DAED Unit (DAEDU), part of Digital vertical embedded in the regional management structure, is responsible of the Digital activities and portfolio in the Eastern and Southern Africa region, including preparation and implementation support for investment operations, policy reforms, and analytical work.

The DAEDU Unit is looking for a Senior Digital Specialist to be based in Kinshasa (DRC) and could possibly also support other countries in the CMU. This Country Management Unit (CMU) covers DRC, Burundi, Angola, and São Tomé and Príncipe. with digital projects currently active in all these countries. The World Bank’s program in DRC in the digital sector includes the ongoing US$400 million project which is under implementation since 2025, as well as cross-support to other sectors such as transport, agriculture, amongst others. There is also ongoing analytical work.

French and English written and oral communication skills are essential for this position; additionally, a working proficiency in Portuguese is a plus for the engagement in Angola and STP. The Senior Digital Specialist will report to the Practice Manager, based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Duties and responsibilities:

The Senior Digital specialist will be responsible for:

• Lead missions and supervise major projects in the sector as a technical expert; interact with clients at the policy and senior management levels, organize and manage policy notes on digital development and policy evaluation in collaboration with sector agencies, development partners and other Global Practices.
• Contribute 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 development of digital connectivity infrastructure through leveraging private sector investments with matching investments from the Bank, strengthening regulatory agencies, facilitating development of digital government IT infrastructure, platforms and services, and promoting development of digital skills and innovation.
• Advise clients on strategies, best practices, and design of programs on a range of ICT policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, investment, innovation, and job creation in the telecoms sector with the aim of boosting affordability, service quality and access to digital connectivity by citizens, businesses and governments and to stimulate the downstream development of value-added digital services. 
• Participate in complex technical assistance activities and provide ad hoc technical and strategic expertise on the design of the overall policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the development of the digital economy in client countries, including development of National ICT / Digital Economy Policy and Strategy documents.
• Develop innovative and practical approaches to solving difficult policy and operational issues for selected high priority telecommunications, ICT or digital economy related activities, notably around market opening and regulation.
• 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.  
• Generate 'think pieces', 'best practice' papers and blog articles for web publication; handle complex technical, institutional and program implementation issues in the sectors; lead the development of proposals; lead the interface with member governments and agencies in resolving implementation issues. Prepare and supervise publication of best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the digital economy;
• Provide technical expertise and advice on policy, institutional reform, project development and execution to support the digitization of public administration and public services delivery in client countries.  
• Contribute to policy dialogue with senior officials of client countries, regional institutions and development partner agencies.  
• Work independently under general direction of unit manager, in collaboration with other team members, and guide and mentor junior staff.
• Represent the Digital Unit and the Bank at regulatory and other fora and events, as well as liaise in the above areas with key external  and internal partners.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in telecommunications, engineering, law, economics, public policy or related field with a minimum of 8 years of experience in ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulation and/or ICT / Digital Economy project design and implementation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven and robust expertise digital infrastructure policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations needed to support development and for the success of Bank interventions and national digital capabilities. Proven expertise on new areas of ICT competence, such as digital regulation, governance of data and platforms, cybersecurity, data protection etc is an added advantage
• Strong understanding of dependency and relationship of modern digital infrastructure and enabling regulatory environment with digital business models, platforms, solutions and services 
• Knowledge of, and experience of working with, one or more cross-cutting themes that are shaping today’s digital economy, such as gender, climate change, information security, freedom of information, media regulations etc
• Good understanding of role of private sector on digital infrastructure and familiarity with structuring arrangements between public and private sector investors
• Knowledge of digital technology and digitally enabled business model trends relevant to socio-economic development in the African context and enthusiasm to stay abreast of new innovations. 
• Prior policy dialogue activities working with countries with limited capacity and influencing ICT sector reforms
• Proven experience advising governments or regulatory agencies on priority sector reforms issues and regulatory interventions in broadband infrastructure (fixed and mobile), conducting dialogue with regulators, and ability to develop best practice on regulation.
• Work experience in Africa, and good knowledge of sector issues in the region is an advantage. Experience of working in, or for, Fragile Conflict and Violence environments would be an additional plus.
• Excellent conceptual skills, including ability to think strategically about the role of ICT / Digital Technologies in other sectors and (more generally) the economy, as well as interface between telecom policy and digital transformation
• Excellent analytical and statistical skills, in data and evidence-based reforms, using metrics and indicators to determine numeric reform targets, take stock of developments over time, and use data driven results monitoring as an instrument to advance reforms. Combines a broad grasp of the relevant theory and principles and of involved practices and precedent. 
• Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in the delivery of project operations within the Bank (investment project financing, development policy lending, multi-sector operations) or similar type of products for other entities. 
• 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 as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in appropriate language to clients, the international development community, academia, and internal working groups.
• 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, mentor staff, and resolve conflicts constructively. 
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Proficiency in English and French is essential and also desired in Portuguese (though not required). 

World Bank Group Core Competencies

• Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions.
• Deliver Results for Clients - Proactively addresses clients’ stated and unstated needs.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries - Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.
• Make Smart Decisions - Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – 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 the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.