Practice Manager, Digital, AFE

World Bank Group

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.

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.

Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-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

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Practice Manager (PM) for Digital Transformation, located in Nairobi, will be responsible for staff based in multiple field locations and in Washington DC and report to the Regional Practice Director for MNA, AFW & AFE Regions. The PM will work closely with the Global Practice Managers of the Digital Vice-Presidential Unit (VPU), AFE Country Directors, Program Leaders and other AFE Practice Managers to advance digital transformation both 'vertically' and 'horizontally' in client countries including mobilizing cutting-edge experts both externally and internally. The PM will closely collaborate with the Global PMs and Global Directors to advance and achieves the six business lines of Digital Transformation VPU, namely, Infrastructure, AI and New Technologies, Cybersecurity and safeguards, Digital Government, Digital Economy and Digital Society. The PM will also collaborate with International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to create a community of practice that supports the public and private sector interests and partnerships. The PM will be responsible for the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships with several bilateral donors in the AFE region.

The PM will be a member of the Regional Management Team and the Global Digital VPU Management Team.

More specifically, the PM is responsible for the following areas:

Solutions and Results to Clients

Draws on global thought leadership and implementation know-how to ensure high impact solutions; provides focused, evidence-based and just-in-time analytical insights to clients with a view to inform better decision making on the lines of the preamble for the Unit.

• Leads her/his team to deliver the key strategic priorities and specific activities, including managing the quality of work program and deliverables including lending and ASA, working closely with other PMs and Regional PMs. 

• Builds and maintains a balanced portfolio of innovative, cost-effective, and demand-driven products and services. 

• Works in partnership with other PMs in the Vertical and the Regions as well as with other Global Practices (GPs), IFC, MIGA to find tailored digital solutions to complex development challenges.

• Accountable for delivering high-quality and timely results.

• Create partnerships with other donors working in the digital space as well as private sector and technology leaders as well as academic institutions.

People/Talent Management

• Models exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors and reinforces these qualities in own team and staff.

• Drives and inspires technical excellence within the team and the Vertical by creating an environment of learning and innovation that attracts and develops the best talent reflective of the diversity of our clients.

• Supports the Vertical management in developing and implementing appropriate strategies for global staffing, deployment, talent, and performance management.

• Manages Unit staff and agrees on respective responsibilities and work programs.

• Mentors staff and ensuring they remain well connected with the rest of the team.

• Attract new talent to match the growth and changing nature of the agenda.

Knowledge Management and Partnerships

• Responds to global, regional, and national challenges and opportunities in the broader Digital Transformation area. Ensures that the Vertical is at the forefront of the development debate and contributes to the global dialogue. 

• Contributes to international fora.

• Develops close partnerships with international networks on cybersecurity and data privacy and protection, regulatory agencies, donor agencies, international organizations, academia/think tanks, and other development partners active in digital.

• Strengthens the analytical base of the unit's work and fosters partnership with leading global institutions and experts, ensures timely flow and capture of knowledge and expertise so that clients receive the highest quality support and knowledge they need, when and where they need it.

• Promotes innovative and cross-cutting research, as well as the dissemination of technical and experiential knowledge and learning.

• Instills a culture of evidence-based, yet client-tailored engagement for highest development impact.

Resource Management

• Manages within available budget constraints, restructures unit as needed and establishes funding priorities.

• In consultation with relevant stakeholders within the WBG, decides on the best use of internal and external resources for maximum client and developmental impact.

• Is accountable for delivering the agreed upon work program through cost-effective use of resources (human and budget) within the agreed parameters and in compliance with internal controls and policies and ensures timely delivery and overall quality of the GP's outputs.

Selection Criteria

• Master's or PhD degree in digital technology/sciences, public policy, private sector development, economics, laws, technology, or another relevant field.

• 12+ years of relevant experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility.

• Excellent and proven technical and leadership skills in multi-lateral development bank operations and in leading client engagement and policy dialogue.  

• Excellent leadership and supervisory skills with established track record in managing multi-cultural and virtual teams including solid managerial and influencing skills are at a premium for this position.

• Technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the digital transformation areas described above is desirable.

• Demonstrated in-depth experience and track record of results and successfully working across practices, disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

• Ability to influence dialogue and policy on digital infrastructure and its use in other sectors without direct control or authority.

• 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. 

• Experience in applying practice know-how and effective policy dialogue to achieve development results.

• Strong written and oral communication skills with proven experience in dealing with the media, external stakeholder, and expert groups.

WBG Leadership Values and Managerial Behaviors 

• Leadership of Self: Role model the change and values for WBG; Demonstrate courage of convictions, ownership and self-mastery within the organization in accordance to our values 

• People Leadership: Lead and inspire staff to perform and deliver for better results; Help others achieve their fullest potential through coaching and mentorship 

• Collaborative Leadership: Be mutually accountable for entire WBG's corporate targets and success; Work across WBG and with clients and partners to achieve better results 

• Client Solutions Leadership: Be the leading provider of development solutions for country clients; Provide leadership in both knowledge generation and knowledge sharing 

• Decisive Leadership: Take informed risks and make decisions in a transparent manner resulting in transformative impact for clients; Commit to decisions once they have been made 

Click here for WBG Managerial Competencies - https://bit.ly/2kDjXkr

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. 
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.

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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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