Lead Digital Specialist

The Lead Digital Specialist will lead strategic and complex digital knowledge and operational activities in Indonesia and Timor Leste, coordinate with ASEAN Secretariat and members on digital issues, and support the delivery of the digital work program across East Asia Pacific. The role ensures technical and operational excellence aligned with the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan and the World Bank Group's corporate priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction for the Digital & AI work program, ensuring alignment with the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) and EAP regional strategies.
• Represent DEPDU in high-level policy dialogues, partnership meetings and regional events, including with the private sector, on Digital and AI.
• Connect the mission of DEPDU in delivering on the WBG Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan with the efforts of other verticals and sectors, including across the WBG and with IFC and MIGA.
• Contribute to the development of partnerships and relationships with external stakeholders, provide technical direction and coordination as part of the WBG’s development partner relationship with the ASEAN Secretariat for digital, and support the effective, timely and relevant reporting of results and impact to donors.
• Provide technical leadership to DEPDU teams and client governments on complex digital development issues, including digital and data infrastructure, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), data governance, cybersecurity, and AI for development.
• Lead strategic lending operations.
• Work closely with TTLs and country teams to provide guidance on key areas of project design, development, and implementation support and supervision.
• Lead the design and implementation of flagship knowledge products for DEPDU, ensuring they are policy-relevant and actionable for client countries.
• 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 EAP region.
• Review and clear technical deliverables to ensure high quality standards and compliance with corporate requirements, and provide hands-on guidance to task team leaders and client-facing teams on project design and implementation.
• Support the Digital EAP PM on portfolio and budget monitoring, anticipating issues and advising on country engagements and dialogue with country units and partners.
• 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; mobilize support by the Knowledge Bank to regional engagements.
• Provide leadership, effective guidance and mentoring, supporting the Digital EAP PM, and serving as a technical adviser to more junior colleagues.
• Serve as the focal point in EAP for coordination and engagement with key regional partners, donors and stakeholders active on digital issues.
• Facilitate collaboration across the WBG, including between DEPDU, other WBG Global Practices, IFC and MIGA, and EAP CMUs, to ensure effective transfer of Digital & AI knowledge and innovation across sectors.
• Provide technical support to colleagues working in other sectors to leverage digital technologies to improve public service delivery and stimulate digital innovation, entrepreneurship and private sector-led investment.
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against the Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) Results Framework and workplan indicators for Digital in EAP.
• Promote learning, transparency, and knowledge sharing through publications, workshops, and digital platforms.

Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, law, economics, political economy, public policy or related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in digital transformation, digital and AI policy, law and regulation, or technology-driven development programs including substantial experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, with experience across at least two regions or a combination of regional and corporate assignments.
• Deep technical knowledge and policy understanding in at least two of the following domains: broadband and data infrastructure, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), 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 the design, development and supervision of lending operations, advisory services and analytics (ASA), and reimbursable advisory services (RAS), related to digital development.
• Strong understanding of private sector engagement, private capital mobilization and PPP approaches in Digital & AI, and DPI.
• 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.
• Deep knowledge of the country and digital sector context and issues in Indonesia and Timor Leste, and among ASEAN member countries, with knowledge of the wider EAP region a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor staff across grades and technical areas.
• Experience collaborating with or within other sectors (e.g. Health, Social Protection, Education, Agriculture) in digital and AI.
• Strong ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable results.
• Strong understanding of how countries can harness DPI to accelerate development impact and advance the jobs agenda.
• Ability to deliver results effectively under pressure and to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to and prioritize a variety of evolving tasks.
• Prior engagement in the EAP region at senior policy or operational level is desirable.
• Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation abilities, capable of simplifying complex technical topics for policy audiences.
• Strong organizational, research, and oral presentation skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• 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.
• Ability to travel extensively and frequently across the EAP region.

Skills

• Digital Transformation
• AI Policy Frameworks
• Digital and AI Regulation
• Technology-driven Development
• Broadband and Data Infrastructure
• Data Infrastructure
• Digital Public Infrastructure
• Digital Government
• Digital Economy Policy
• Lending Operations Design
• Advisory Services
• Reimbursable Advisory Services
• Private Sector Engagement
• Private Sector Capital Mobilization
• Public Private Partnerships
• Program Design and Supervision
• World Bank Operational Policies
• Financing Frameworks
• Multi-disciplinary Team Leadership
• Cross-sector Collaboration
• Strategic Planning
• Analytical Skills
• Technical Writing
• Oral Presentation
• Research Skills
• Policy Simplification
• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Stakeholder Coordination

Languages

English