Senior Strategy Officer, Digital Transformation

Senior Strategy Officer, Digital Transformation

 Description

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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Regional Contexts

The Middle East and North Africa (MNA) Region Context

Countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MNA) region confront a vast array of development challenges, from an uncertain and uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic to the implications of decelerating global economy, deepening geopolitical divisions, protracted regional conflicts, and climate change. These overlapping crises are amplified by longstanding structural relating to economic governance that contribute to an outsized presence of the state in the economy, high unemployment rates among women and youth, and limited intraregional trade and investment.

Overcoming these challenges will allow MNA countries to realize their vast development potential, endowed as the region is with a rapidly growing and highly educated population, geo-strategic location, and abundance of renewable energy potential. To unlock this potential, the World Bank is advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development through a two-pronged strategy that seeks to respond to sudden and severe crises while supporting reforms that spur structural transformation and job creation, advance gender equity, strengthen regional cooperation, and accelerate green transitions. This strategy is operationalized through a differentiated approach that reflects the distinct circumstances of the World Bank’s clients in the region, comprising 20 countries that range from active IBRD borrowers and IDA recipients to recipients of reimbursable advisory services and non-active countries with whom the Bank maintains a policy dialogue.

The Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) Region Context

Home to about 700 million of Africa’s people, Eastern and Southern Africa is a geographically, culturally, and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South.
 
The subregion harbors some of Africa’s protracted conflicts, rendering many of its countries fragile, while significant gaps in education, health, and skills development continues to keep people from reaching their full potential. This creates a huge development challenge, impacts heavily on the lives and livelihoods of people, and hinders regional integration and trade! But it also creates an opportunity to work closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and young people to chart a brighter course for the future.

The Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region Context

Western and Central Africa is a region with diverse cultures, beliefs, languages, and lifestyles – marked by contrasts of stability and conflict, affluence, and poverty.  Home to about half a billion people, it encompasses 22 countries stretching from the westernmost point of Africa across the equator and partly along the Atlantic Ocean to the Republic of Congo in the South. The sub-region is rich in resources and brimming with opportunities. It made impressive progress in regional cooperation and includes two monetary unions - the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) which cover 13 countries between them.

Yet these vast opportunities are tempered by persistent gaps in education, health, and skills, which have Africa only reaching forty percent of its estimated potential. Moreover, conflict, food insecurity, population growth, and the disruptive forces of climate change threaten to curtail or even reverse the progress that has been made over the past decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought back to the forefront the risks posed by weak systems and poor surveillance.
 
The AFW is committed to helping countries realize their considerable development potential and become more competitive in the global economy by focusing on the following priorities - Creating Jobs and Transforming Economies, Building up the Digital Economy, Institutions more Efficient and Accountable, Investing in People, Supporting Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption, Addressing the Drivers of Fragility, Conflict, and Violence, and Building Partnerships and Working across the African Continent: We are scaling up our work on regional integration, taking a holistic view of the continent that covers both North and Sub-Saharan Africa. For more information, visit 
For more information on the three regions, please visit:

Middle and North Africa (MNA) visit www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena
Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa
Western and Central Africa (AFW) visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa

Digital Transformation Vice Presidency

The Digital Transformation Vertical Vice Presidency was established on July 1, 2024, and will guide World Bank Group efforts to establish the foundations of a digital economy, build and enhance digital and data infrastructure, ensure cybersecurity and data privacy for institutions, businesses, and citizens, and advance digital government services. Digital technologies, including AI and data, present a unique opportunity to accelerate development. The Digital Transformation Vertical will have the critical mission of delivering on this development promise. The Digital Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams will support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation through two engagement pillars, six business lines, and multiple cross-cutting areas: 
 
• Digital Core: Building digital infrastructure through broadband network, affordable devices; Enhancing data infrastructure including data centers, cloud solutions and data governance; Enabling AI and cutting-edge technology applications; and Protecting institutions, businesses, and citizens through cybersecurity, data protection & privacy, trust services as well as online safety.
• Digital Use: Supporting the Regions and the Verticals of People, Prosperity, Planet, and Infrastructure in the digitalization efforts of clients through Digital Government (digital public infrastructure, digital government services, and digital literacy and training), Digital Economy (national ICT planning, ICT industry and jobs, and smart infra and industry) and Digital Society (digital school, digital health, etc.). 
 
Both pillars will be the channels through which the Vertical will support World Bank achieving its objectives in cross-cutting areas like jobs and skills, climate and green, fragility, conflict and violence, and gender and inclusion. 

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

Position Context

The Regional Practice Director (RPD) Digital Transformation (DT) MNA/AFE/AFW covers Digital Transformation in three regions: Middle East and North Africa (MNA), Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE), Western and Central Africa (AFW), reporting to MNA, AFE and AFW Regional Vice Presidents. The RPD DT MNA/AFE/AFW is overseeing three regional units in MNA (DMNDD), in AFE (DAEDD) and in AFW (DAWDD), which are led by Practice Managers (PMs). 

The RPD DT MNA/AFE/AFW has overall responsibility for the following areas: setting the overall strategic priorities for the Digital program; managing the risks, deliverables, portfolio quality, and achievement of results of the Digital program; coordinating the external dialogue on digital transformation  with country clients, development partners, regional organizations and private sector entities; support the Regional leadership teams (RLTs) of MNA, AFE and AFW to ensure regional efforts are mainstreamed in-country.

The RPD DT MNA/AFE/AFW (DMNDR) is looking for a Senior Strategy Officer (SSO) to be based in Nairobi, Kenya. The SSO is an active member of the DT MNA/AFE/AFW leadership team, reporting to the RPD DT MNA/AFE/AFW. 

Duties and responsibilities

The Senior Strategy Officer (SSO) will be expected to support the RPD DT MNA/AFE/AFW and the three DT regional units (DMNDD, DAEDD, DAWDD) in the development and implementation of the departmental strategy and other special initiatives in support of digital transformation. 

S/he supports the planning and implementing of the regional DT strategies (in alignment as needed with corporate and global DT strategies) and other strategic products that are attuned to client demand, capacity, and country contexts, be familiar with corporate and global DT strategies and objectives, as well as advising and supporting the DT program on all strategic matters where needed. The SSO will also support the RPD DT MNA/AFE/AFW and the three DT regional units (DMNDD, DAEDD, DAWDD) in liaising and facilitating collaboration with the Digital Vertical’s Global units, including to help identify key strategic needs, results and best practices..

The SSO will be responsible for the following:

• Supporting the RPD and the Regional DT Teams in preparing and implementing the regional DT strategic directions (in alignment as needed with corporate and global DT strategies) and other strategic products that are attuned to client demand, capacity, and country contexts.
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to build partnerships in support of key regional priorities of digital transformation.
• Identifying knowledge gaps and advise on priorities for policy research and analytical work related to the Digital Transformation agenda in MNA/AFE/AFW. Serving as  point of contact for the DT Global Economic Team and for the Offices of the Chief Economists MNA and AFE/AFW.
• Monitoring the implementation of the Accelerating Digital Global Challenge Program (GCP), acting as focal point for the three Regional DT PMs.
• Monitoring the implementation of digital activities in MoUs signed between the WB and other IFIs, acting as focal point for the three Regional DT PMs.
• Providing guidance to DT regional teams on incorporation of DT and corporate strategic priorities in various ASAs and LEN products.
• Support the three Regional DT PMs and their teams in the design and the implementation of the digital reform programs.
• Liaising with colleagues working in other verticals (infrastructure, people, planet, prosperity) to provide research and analysis on the impact of digital technologies for these sectors in coordination with the Regional DT PMs
• Reviewing briefs and oversee arrangements (i.e., roundtables and events) for high level meetings including the Annual and Spring Meetings and supporting preparation and organization of strategic dialogue with key development partners, including during Annual and Spring Meetings.
• Producing and/or coordinating the production of briefs, reports, and memos for the Bank's Senior Management. 
• Developing and overseeing an impact evaluation work stream for digital in coordination with the DT Global Economic Team to ensure that the practice accumulates a critical mass of evidence regarding how project design contributes to effectiveness of development outcomes.
• Developing lending and ASA Results Briefs in collaboration with Regional DT PMs and task teams and in consultation with MNA/AFE/AFW regional and DT global Comms teams.
• Participating in, contributing to, and shaping (in coordination with Global DT teams as needed) specific DT inputs to various country engagement products, such as SCDs/CPFs/PLRs/CEMs/CPSDs/Growth and Jobs report/CCDRs.
• Mentoring/supervising junior staff.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant discipline with at least 8 years of directly relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. The higher degree should be in Economics (or a closely-related discipline), ideally with a focus on industrial organization. The experience should be in the ICT/digital sector, either as a researcher and/or as a practitioner in policy-making, regulation or industry.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of digital issues, including digital core and digital use; demonstrated experience applying this understanding to operations, analytical tasks, and strategy.
• Experience in strategy development, policy dialogue, and operations related to the digital agenda; ability to link policy analysis and operational implications; understanding of working with varied levels of client capacity and relevance of partnerships.
• Excellent knowledge of, and experience with, Bank databases, monitoring, and analytical tools.
• Prior experience with digital transformation projects and ASA program is required.  
• Previous operational experience in Sub Saharan Africa and/or MNA is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills, and ability to work with a range of stakeholders, including with all levels of staff, bilateral and multilateral partners, the private sector, and civil society.
• Strong organizational skills: ability to prioritize, to deal with frequent and unexpected changes, and to work within tight timeframes.
• Experience with Bank operations, policies, procedures, and processes.
• Proficiency in data handling and presentation software including PowerPoint, Excel, and database software. 
• Strong communications skills, both verbal and written, in English.
• Personal integrity, ability to handle confidential matters in a discreet and respectful manner.
• Proven ability to function effectively as a team member and as a connector within a multi-disciplinary team and resolve conflicts constructively.  
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Proficiency in English is essential. Ability to interact in French in/or Arabic and/or Portuguese is an advantage.

This internal requisition is open to WB staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.