Senior Digital Specialist

Senior Digital Specialist

Job #: req38432 Organization: World Bank Group Sector: Digital Development Grade: GG Term Duration: Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP) Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Tunis,Tunisia Required Language(s): English, French Preferred Language(s): Arabic Closing Date: 10/9/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org
The Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (MENAAP) Region Context
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.
For more information on MENAAP Region: https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/region/mena
Digital & AI Vice Presidency
Digital and AI technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital & AI Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams will support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation through:
• Building digital infrastructure and data platforms (including AI, cloud computing and digital public infrastructure)
• Protecting institutions, businesses, and citizens through cybersecurity and data protection & privacy
• Developing ICT sectors and supporting digital entrepreneurship, skills and jobs
• Implementing and digitalizing digital government services that improve accountability and transparency
• Supporting the Vice presidencies of People, Prosperity, Planet and Infrastructure in the digitalization efforts of their clients, and in leveraging digital solutions, including building client sectoral digital capacity, defining sectoral specific AI strategies, and designing sectoral AI solutions
• Supporting the World Bank regional vice-presidencies on the operationalization of the digital Global Challenge Program as well as cross-GP efforts of achieving the new Corporate Scorecard digital indicators.
The Digital & AI Vice Presidency will deploy a range of products, services, and partnerships to advance global knowledge around key digital transformation topics and to support countries to define and implement their vision for digital transformation through:
• Supporting World Bank regions that provide financing to governments in the form of grants, loans, guarantees, and risk management products to support digital investment projects and implement policy reforms.
• Supporting World Bank regions that provide advisory services including targeted policy guidance, technical assistance, and capacity building.
• Knowledge products including data and diagnostics to provide actionable insights at regional, country, and local levels, research and thought leadership to expand the global knowledge base, as well as thematic operational toolkits.
• Convening services that bring together key stakeholders, from both public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental organizations involved in advancing global digital transformation.
The World Bank Group (WBG) Digital and AI Strategy Implementation Plan (FY26–30) details how the institution will help countries harness digital and artificial intelligence (AI) safely to accelerate development impact and advance the jobs agenda.
For more information on Digital & AI: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment
Background
The MENAAP Digital Unit (DMAPD) is responsible for Digital and AI activities and portfolio in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, including lending, supervision, and analytical work. The Unit is looking for a Senior Digital Specialist to be based in Tunis, Tunisia.
Duties and Accountabilities
The position reports to the Digital Practice Manager for MENAAP (DMAPD).
Key responsibilities include:
• Lead the development, design, preparation and supervision of World Bank Group financed digital and AI related investment and policy reform programs in client countries with a particular emphasis on stimulating development of digital connectivity infrastructure through PPPs and regulatory/policy reforms, facilitating development of digital government IT infrastructure, platforms and services, digital public infrastructure, promoting development of digital skills and innovation, supporting AI adoption and adaptation in public and private sectors and developing an AI ecosystem, as well as on addressing corporate requirements (e.g. private capital mobilization, gender)
• Advise clients on strategies, best practices and design of programs to develop the foundations of their digital economies. 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 digital and AI sector and wider digital economy as well as IT functions and digital services delivery within governments
• Lead policy dialogue with senior officials of client countries, 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 client countries
• 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, data infrastructure, ICT, AI ecosystem, or digital economy related activities
• Lead publication of analytical papers, best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the digital sector
• Oversee and ensure highest quality of economic and financial analysis (market models, business models, etc.) to inform decisions on project designs, PPP schemes, financing plans, etc.
• Represent the digital and AI unit and the Bank at digital related fora and events, as well as liaison in the above areas with key external partners

Selection Criteria

• Education: Master’s degree or equivalent (PhD preferred) in information technology, computer science, engineering, economics, public policy, law, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in digital transformation, digital and AI policy, law and regulation, or technology-driven development programs, including substantial experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Technical Expertise:
o Deep technical knowledge and policy understanding in at least two of the following domains: broadband and data infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, data governance, digital government, or digital economy and AI policy, with demonstrated ability to connect these areas to development outcomes.
o Proven record of leading complex analytical and operational work related to digital and AI transformation in developing countries, including advisory services, capacity-building, or pilot implementations; experience and knowledge of the MNAAP region is a strong plus.
o Strong understanding of private sector engagement, private capital mobilization and PPP approaches in Digital & AI.
o Experience leading the design, development, and supervision of financing programs or lending operations, with a strong understanding of WBG’s operational policies and project financing frameworks, is desirable.
• Client and Partnership Orientation:
o Excellent stakeholder engagement and diplomatic skills, with a track record of managing partnerships with governments, academia, and the private sector.
o Strong understanding of how countries can harness digital and artificial intelligence (AI) safely to accelerate development impact and advance the jobs agenda. Trusted digital and AI systems can create opportunities for countries, increasing use of services and aid the private sector to create and transform jobs.
o Experience collaborating with or within other sectors (e.g. Health, Social Protection, Education, Agriculture…) in digital and AI is a strong asset.
• Analytical and Communication Skills:
o Exceptional analytical, writing, and presentation abilities, capable of simplifying complex technical topics for policy audiences.
o Full command of English and French (and preferably also Arabic).
• Other Attributes:
o Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify and pursue new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
o High energy, proactive approach, and strong commitment to achieving impact through analytical, operational, and knowledge work.

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

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.