Lead Digital Specialist

The Lead Digital Specialist will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise for the Digital & AI work program in the MENAAP region, supporting digital transformation initiatives including digital infrastructure, data governance, cybersecurity, and AI for development. The role involves leading complex lending operations, designing flagship knowledge products, and managing partnerships to advance digital and AI development outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction for the Digital & AI work program in MENAAP, ensuring alignment with the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) and regional strategies.
• Represent Digital MENAAP in high-level policy dialogues, partnership meetings, and international forums on digital transformation and AI.
• Connect Digital MENAAP mission with efforts of other WBG verticals and sectors, including IFC and MIGA.
• Prepare and review strategic Senior Management briefings and engagements.
• Provide technical leadership on complex digital development issues including digital infrastructure, DPI, data governance, cybersecurity, and AI for development.
• Lead strategic lending operations and design flagship knowledge products ensuring policy relevance and actionability.
• Guide task teams in integrating the World Bank Group’s Global Digital & AI Implementation Plan into lending and advisory operations.
• Review and clear technical deliverables ensuring quality and compliance, providing guidance to task teams and client-facing teams.
• Support portfolio and budget monitoring, advising on country engagements and sector dialogue.
• Mentor junior staff and groom task team leads.
• Liaise with global expert teams to contribute to the Knowledge Bank and support regional engagements.
• Serve as focal point for coordination between MENAAP Regional Vice President Front Office and Development Partners active in Digital.
• Facilitate collaboration between Digital MENAAP and other WB Global Practices for knowledge and innovation transfer.
• Lead outreach and communication initiatives to raise visibility of MENAAP contributions to digital and AI transformation.
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan Results Framework and workplan indicators.
• Promote learning, transparency, and knowledge sharing through publications, workshops, and digital platforms.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent (PhD preferred) in information technology, computer science, engineering, economics, public policy, law, or related field.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify and pursue new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
• High energy, proactive approach, and strong commitment to achieving impact through analytical, operational, and knowledge work.

Skills

• Digital Transformation
• AI Policy Frameworks
• Digital and AI Regulation
• Technology-driven Development
• Broadband Infrastructure
• Data Infrastructure
• Digital Public Infrastructure
• Data Governance
• Digital Government
• Digital Economy
• AI Policy Development
• Multi-stakeholder Process Leadership
• Advisory Services
• Capacity Building
• Pilot Implementations
• Private Sector Engagement
• Private Sector Capital Mobilization
• Public Private Partnerships
• Program Design
• Lending Operations Design
• Operational Policies
• Financing Frameworks
• Multi-disciplinary Team Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Diplomacy Skills
• Cross-sector Collaboration
• Analytical Writing
• Presentation Skills
• Cybersecurity
• Knowledge product design

Languages

English, Arabic, French