Senior Digital Development Specialist

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. 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. 

Globally, 840 million people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 1 billion people lack electricity, and 4 billion people lack Internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure Practice Group is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. The World Bank Group helps developing countries build smart infrastructure that supports inclusive and sustainable growth, expands markets, creates job opportunities, promotes competition, and contributes to a cleaner future. We help countries address their unique infrastructure needs by working with the public and private sectors. 

The Digital Development (DD) Global Practice plays a critical role in enabling the achievement of World Bank’s mission of creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet and the Sustainable Development Goals. Digital technologies are transforming firms, governments, and people’s lives; and with the digital economy growing at a rate significantly higher than that of the global economy, it offers emerging economies a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional paths for development through digital solutions.

Collaborating across technical, geographic, and institutional boundaries, the DD team helps design and deliver digitally enhanced solutions aimed at harnessing the full potential of digital transformation. This requires decisive policy action to mobilize private investment, promote competition in digital markets and support the rollout of infrastructure in commercially unviable areas. It also entails working with client countries to develop digital platforms, strengthen digital safeguards to manage data protection and privacy as well as cyber security risks, and leverage the potential of digital technologies to enhance environmental sustainability.

The DD Global Practice has been led by a Director, supported by several Practice Managers and Program Managers (PMs) with specific regional responsibilities and global responsibilities. The DD Global Practice has recently introduced Business Lines (BLs) to structure country and regional engagements, research, and global engagement.

The cybersecurity BL team supports developing countries and World Bank task teams on best practice policies, strategies and approaches to build capacity to protect/enhance resilience of critical infrastructure and systems, increase cyber awareness and foster security and trust so that people, governments, and businesses access safe infrastructure, data platforms, digital technologies and thrive in today’s digital landscape.  This includes key workstreams on cybersecurity governance and institutions, risk management and critical infrastructure protection, incident response and preparedness, skills development and awareness raising, cyber industry development, and cross-border cyber collaboration. 

Duties and Accountabilities:

• The DD Global Practice is looking for a Sr. Digital Development Specialist to be the Global Lead of the Cybersecurity Business Line (BL), including working with the Program Manager and Cyber BL team to shape the strategy and work program, scaling up thought leadership and global engagement on this agenda, supporting knowledge generation, sharing and adoption of best practices in our client engagements, and building a cohesive and high performing business line team.  Key elements will include, but are not limited to the following areas:
• Defining and executing a strategic vision: Help develop the cybersecurity BL’s strategic vision and translate it into a forward-looking, evidence-based, practical, and relevant product offering and program of country engagement, global engagement, and knowledge.
• Developing and curating global knowledge and thought leadership: Lead and/or contribute to cutting-edge analytical and knowledge products, research projects, and data collection efforts designed to increase global evidence and knowledge, ensuring the cybersecurity BL and DD Global Practice are at the forefront of this development agenda.
• Supporting client engagement: Provide and/or coordinate deployment of cybersecurity policy, technical and operational expertise in support of a range of client engagements including technical assistance and policy dialogue as well as design and implementation of cybersecurity investment programs.
• Communicating and sharing knowledge: Effectively communicate the BL’s knowledge, thought leadership and the World Bank’s engagement program on cybersecurity to various audiences, including key internal and external stakeholders, clients, beneficiaries, general public, internal and external partners; Effectively represent the BL in national, regional, and global fora.
• Building partnerships: Foster and build partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including with developing country governments, development partners (e.g., bilateral donors, foundations, UN agencies), private sector companies and foundations, academic institutions and think tanks.
• Building and leading a team: Help build an effective BL team including support for identifying and attracting talent, helping structure a work program and team assignments, mentoring and coaching BL affiliated staff and consultants.

Selection Criteria:

• Masters or PhD in Cybersecurity or other relevant field (Technology, Public Policy, Law, Economics, or other).
• Recognized expertise in the field of Cybersecurity. Solid experience advising Governments on Cybersecurity (especially in developing countries). Relevant knowledge of analytical tools and understanding of institutions, policies and regulations in the field of cybersecurity.
• At least 8-10 years of relevant experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility in both operational and advisory capacity.
• Excellent analytical, writing and editing skills with strong track record of publications or knowledge products, and leading analytical work, reports and teams.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience and track record of results and successfully working across departments, practices, disciplinary and institutional boundaries.
• Excellent client engagement skills and experience, able to understand and adapt to client needs; being balanced and politically astute.
• Effective communication skills including the ability to speak articulately and persuasively.
• Strong sense of strategy, including ability to prioritize and exit activities and engagements; track record in streamlining and rationalizing product offerings.
• Good partnership experience, including involving multiple stakeholders – both public and private – in building collaborative alliances for results.
• Leading provider of development solutions for clients; provide leadership in Both knowledge generation and knowledge sharing.
• Role-modeling the change and values for WBG; demonstrating courage of convictions, ownership, and self-mastery within the organization in accordance with our values.
• Strong results orientation, persistence, patience, and positive attitude.

Source:  https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=26736&site=1