Senior Digital Specialist

Senior Digital Specialist

Job #: req38323 Organization: World Bank Group Sector: Digital Development Grade: GG Term Duration: Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP) Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Islamabad,Pakistan Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 9/30/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description

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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

The Middle East and North Africa Region (MENAAP)

The World Bank works with the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan to eliminate poverty and promote shared prosperity through strengthening human capital, supporting jobs and economic transformation, advancing gender equity, addressing fragility, and enabling green growth. MENAAP attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. MENAAP is organized in seven Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MAPDE). It places high value on diversity.

Digital and AI Vice-Presidency

The Digital and AI Vertical Vice Presidency was established on July 1, 2024, and is guiding World Bank Group efforts to establish the foundations of a digital economy. Central to the VP's mandate is the WBG Digital and AI Strategy. The strategy is built around four pillars: Access, Affordability, Ecosystem, and AI Readiness and Adaptation. The Digital and AI Vice Presidency delivers on this agenda through the @A Billion Implementation Plan (FY26–30), anchored in ten scalable solutions spanning connectivity, device affordability, digital public infrastructure, local digital industry development, digital skills, and AI adoption.

The Plan's initial focus is on 40 priority countries selected based on the size of their digital gaps, their readiness and commitment to the digital and AI agenda, and their potential to scale solutions and attract private investment. Pakistan’s digital engagement includes an active portfolio comprising the Digital Economy Enhancement Project and the Connected Punjab Program, as well as the Pakistan Digital and AI Compact. Pipeline financing focuses on National Fiberization, AI Readiness and Adaptation. The Digital and AI Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams are supporting client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital and AI transformation; and, through these channels, help the World Bank achieve its objectives in cross-cutting areas like jobs and skills, climate action, fragility, conflict and violence, and gender and inclusion.

The MENAAP Digital Unit is responsible for the World Bank’s Digital and AI portfolio in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, including lending operations, implementation supervision, and analytical work.

For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digital/overview

The Unit is looking for a Senior Digital Specialist to be based in Islamabad. The Senior Digital Specialist will work closely with the Country Management Unit Digital and AI Lead, and will report to the Practice Manager for Digital and AI, MENAAP.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development, design, preparation and supervision of World Bank Group financed digital and AI related investment and policy reform programs in Pakistan with a particular emphasis on: (i) expanding digital access and improving affordability of internet and devices; (ii) digitalizing the service delivery ecosystem; (iii) developing and operationalizing data governance and personal data protection frameworks; (iv) enabling inclusive, secure data platforms; (v) developing and scaling digital public infrastructure and sectoral DPI sub-stacks to create value; (vi) enabling locally relevant AI solutions ('Small AI') for improving public service delivery, creating new and better jobs, and strengthening AI infrastructure including compute capacity and data systems; (vii) supporting digital payment systems and cashless ecosystems; and (viii) encouraging private-sector participation in the digital economy and the development of local digital industries.

• Support Pakistan’s contribution to the WBG @A Billion Implementation Plan, including expanding broadband internet usage, improving device affordability (with a particular focus on women and the bottom 40%), and scaling digitally enabled public services across health, education, agriculture, and social protection.

• Work closely with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), through the Joint Engagement Plan, to strengthen private sector participation and mobilize private capital for connectivity, device affordability, digital payments, cashless ecosystems, agritech, digital infrastructure, and AI related investments.

• Advise clients on strategies, best practices and design of programs to strengthen the foundations of Pakistan’s digital and AI economy. This may include participating in complex technical assistance activities and providing ad hoc technical and strategic expertise on the design of the overall policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the ICT sector and wider digital economy as well as IT functions and digital services delivery within governments

• Lead policy dialogue with senior officials in Pakistan, regional institutions, private sector/industry, and development partner agencies

• Provide technical expertise and advice on a range of ICT policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, investment and innovation in the telecoms sector and broadband value chain 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

• 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 Pakistan

• Liaise and provide guidance to colleagues working in other sectors (including agriculture, health, education, energy, financial services, transport, etc.) on how to leverage digital technologies to improve public service delivery and efficiency in the respective sectors

• Develop innovative and practical approaches to solving difficult policy and operational issues for selected high priority telecommunications, ICT digital infrastructure, AI, or digital economy related activities

• Lead publication of analytical papers, best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the digital sector

• Integrate gender and inclusion considerations across all digital engagements, with specific attention to closing the gender digital divide in Pakistan, consistent with the WBG Gender Strategy and the @A Billion target of reaching 300 million women and girls globally

• Oversee and ensure high quality of economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, PPP schemes, financing plans, and private capital mobilization.

• Support knowledge sharing and south-south learning initiatives connected to Pakistan's digital and AI experience, contributing to the WBG's global knowledge agenda and positioning Pakistan a source of practical lessons on the implementation of scalable solutions under the @A Billion Implementation Plan.

• Represent the Digital and AI Unit and the Bank at digital related fora and events and liaise with key external partners

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, business administration, economics, public policy or related field with a minimum of 8 years of experience in ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulation, ICT sector, and/or ICT / Digital Economy project design and implementation.

• Practical experience with at least two of the following: broadband connectivity and access programs, device affordability schemes, digital public infrastructure (DPI), AI adoption in public services, digital and AI ecosystems.

• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, including ability to think strategically and innovatively about the role of digital technologies for socio-economic development and for transformation in other sectors of the economy

• Firm understanding of digital technologies, digital transformation of society, and digitally enabled business model trends relevant to socio-economic development in the Middle Eastern context and enthusiasm to stay abreast of new innovations;

• 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

• Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in supporting the delivery of project operations and project implementation and supervision within the Bank or similar type of projects/products for other entities; knowledge and experience in World Bank Group Policy and Procedure Framework (PPF) is not mandatory but would be a plus

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in a clear, easily understandable and effective manner.

• Excellent presentation skills, using visual 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

• Sound 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 and resolve conflicts constructively

• Prior work experience in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP), and good knowledge of sector issues in the region is a plus.

• Willingness and ability to travel

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. 2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. 3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

WBG Five Managerial Competencies Include only for managerial positions

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.

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Added 9 hours ago - Updated 9 hours ago - Source: worldbank.org