Lead, Public Sector Innovation and Technology

Innovation

Overview

Drive strategic partnerships in digital transformation.

You have:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant topic such as political economy, business administration, or economics.
• 7+ years of experience in private and/or public sector, including as a project manager with a track record of building and driving successful initiatives.
• Deep understanding of emerging technologies and their potential in addressing challenges related to public administration and citizen engagement.
• Proven and excellent project management and coordination skills; attention to detail; capacity to apply critical thinking, synthesize various viewpoints.
• Experience communicating and working with senior government officials.
• Excellence in writing, communicating and presenting in English.
• Spanish language skills preferred. Portuguese language skills a plus.
• Travel 10-15%.

Please Note: This role requires the ability to work on site 3 days per week per company policy.

The annual salary range for this role is $130,000-150,000 in New York.

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, serves as the premier international organization for public-private collaboration. It brings together top political, business, and societal leaders to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.

The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) empowers leaders to anticipate the impact of emerging technologies and spearhead responsible digital transformation. Operating through a global network of Affiliated Centres, it enables national innovators to access a trusted platform for sharing knowledge, learning, and addressing complex challenges collaboratively.

Why we are recruiting

Technological advancements are reshaping the interactions between citizens, the private sector, and governments, urging stakeholders to collaborate in identifying and prioritizing key opportunities and challenges, and developing trusted solutions together.

The World Economic Forum's Government Technology (GovTech) initiative, part of its broader Digital Inclusion agenda, aims to unite business leaders, government officials, experts, startups, media, and civil society in driving the inclusive and responsible digital transformation of the public sector. This effort is supported by a growing network of GovTech-focused Affiliated Centres.

The Forum's Digital Trust initiative focuses on fostering trust in digital technologies and platforms by promoting responsible practices, transparency, and accountability among businesses, governments, and individuals. It offers guidance for building a trustworthy digital ecosystem that supports innovation while protecting users' rights and maintaining public confidence in digital technologies and services.

The C4IR is recruiting a Lead, Public Sector Innovation and Technology to drive strategic partnerships with Affiliated Centres in the domains of GovTech and Digital Trust. The role works closely with, contributes to, and builds upon both the GovTech and Digital Trust initiatives, as well as the Forum’s Urban Transformation, AI and Machine Learning, Data Policy, and Digital Public Infrastructure work. In particular, the Lead will play a strategic role in supporting the newly launched C4IR Colombia in Medellín, as well as the Centre for Trustworthy Technology.

Reporting lines & interactions

The role reports to the Head, Digital Inclusion with a dotted line to the Head of Governance and Trust. It works closely with diverse teams across the organization, particularly in C4IR and the Centre for Urban Transformation. The role will also collaborate with Affiliated Centres and their stakeholders, with a primary focus on North, Central, and South America. Building strong, productive relationships both externally and within the institution will be critical to success in this role.

Breakdown of main responsibilities:

Strategic Integration and Partnership

• Identify opportunities for the Forum’s global network of independent national and thematic Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Centres to engage with and contribute to the Forum’s GovTech and Digital Trust initiatives.
• Provide strategic support to GovTech and Digital Trust workstreams led by C4IR Centres by helping shape workstream design, guiding outcomes, facilitating knowledge transfer, advising on tool and framework pilots, reviewing publications, and fostering collaboration among global and national stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Network and Partner Engagement teams to ensure successful execution of events, innovation challenges, publications, and other key deliverables for Affiliated Centres involved in GovTech and Digital Trust.
• Engage existing and prospective Forum Partners in GovTech and Digital Trust initiatives.

Initiative Management

• Lead initiatives at the intersection of GovTech and Digital Trust, including:
  • Building and curating multi-stakeholder communities.
  • Keeping workstreams on track by effectively leading cross-functional teams, both internal and external, and ensuring clear communication and reporting.
  • Coordinating Project Fellows by providing clear direction, facilitating communication, offering strategic guidance, tracking progress, and giving feedback.
  • Overseeing the design and delivery of sessions and community events.
• Collaborate across Forum centres, communities and industries, to drive the digital transformation of government and governance.

Communications and Thought Leadership

• Lead the development of content, reports, and blogs, from concept to delivery.
• Drive public awareness of GovTech, Digital Trust, and related Forum initiatives.
• Stay informed of trends in GovTech, Digital Trust, and Urban Transformation, and identify opportunities to guide strategic initiatives and partnerships, particularly in the C4IR Network.

Preferred requirements and experience

• Broad intellectual background and interests with a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant topic such as political economy, business administration, or economics.
• 7+ years of experience in private and/or public sector, including as a project manager with a track record of building and driving successful initiatives.
• Deep understanding of emerging technologies and their potential in addressing challenges related to public administration and citizen engagement.
• Proven and excellent project management and coordination skills; attention to detail; capacity to apply critical thinking, synthesize various viewpoints, experience collaborating with teams in diverse global locations in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience communicating and working with senior government officials. Exceptional communication, with ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience designing, managing and facilitating communities, workshops, and meetings both virtually and in person.
• Excellence in writing, communicating and presenting in English.
• Spanish language skills preferred. Portuguese language skills a plus.
• Travel 10-15%.

Why work at the Forum:

The Forum believes that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to improve the state of the world by building awareness and cooperation, shaping mindsets and agendas, and driving collective action. Join us and become a driver for positive change!

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: weforum.org