E T Consultant
Job #: req23950
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Digital Development
Grade: EC3
Term Duration: 1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Sydney,Australia
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 9/29/2023 (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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org
Infrastructure Practice Group
Globally, 840 million people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 1 billion people lack electricity, and 4 billion people lack Internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure (INF) Practice Group is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. The INF Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) currently consists of four global practices (GPs): Energy & Extractives (EEX), Transport, Digital Development (DD) and Infrastructure Finance, PPPs and Guarantees (IPG).
Digital Development (DD) Global Practice
DD plays a critical role in enabling the achievements of the Twin goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Digital technologies are transforming firms, governments and people’s lives; and with the digital economy growing at a rate significantly higher than that of the global economy, it offers emerging economies a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional paths for development through digital solutions.
Collaborating across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries, the Digital Development team helps design and deliver Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-enhanced solutions to a diverse range of clients. The team supports clients (i) through advisory assistance to establish policy and regulatory environments that allow the widespread use of technology and create a trust environment; (ii) investment operations by building infrastructure to connect the unconnected, or enabling digital government shared platforms (cloud, digital, identification, etc.).
The DD Global Practice is led by a Director supported by seven Practice Managers covering regional and global responsibilities. The IDD05 Unit is responsible for developing the operational portfolio in the East Asia Pacific region.
The unit is looking for an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) to support the Digital Development Agenda in the Pacific region. The ETC will report to the Practice Manager.
DUTIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES
The ETC will be responsible for the following:
- Supporting DD’s strategy in the EAP region with a particular focus on Pacific region. This includes developing DD’s value-proposition, dialogue with external clients, engaging with CMUs and other members of the World Bank’s team in the region.
- Support missions and the supervision of projects in the sector as a technical expert; interact with clients at the policy and senior management levels, contribute to policy notes on digital development and policy evaluation in collaboration with sector agencies, development partners and other Global Practices.
- Represent DD and the World Bank at regulatory and other fora and events, as well as liaise in the above areas with key external and internal partners (including energy, water, transport, financial services, and private sector advisory services) on ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulatory matters and playing a leadership role in related fora.
- Contribute to the design, preparation and supervision of World Bank Group financed digital development related investment and policy reform programs in client countries with a particular emphasis on stimulating development of digital connectivity infrastructure through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), strengthening regulatory agencies, facilitating development of digital government IT infrastructure, platforms and services, and promoting development of digital skills and innovation.
- 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 just-in-time 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.
- Participate in complex technical assistance activities and provide ad hoc technical and strategic expertise on the design of the overall policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the development of the digital economy in client countries, including development of National ICT / Digital Economy Policy and Strategy documents.
- Develop innovative and practical approaches to solving difficult policy and operational issues for selected high priority telecommunications, ICT or digital economy related activities, notably around market opening and regulation.
- Provide technical expertise and advice on a range of ICT policy and regulatory issues to promote competition, investment, innovation and job creation in the telecoms sector 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.
- Generate ‘think pieces’ and ‘best practice’ papers; handle complex technical, institutional and program implementation issues in the sectors; lead the development of proposals; lead the interface with member governments and agencies in resolving implementation issues. Prepare and supervise publication of best practice notes and reports on policy and regulation in the ICT
- 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 and to stimulate digital innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in those sectors by private sector actors.
Selection Criteria
Master’s degree in telecommunications, engineering, law, economics, public policy or related field with 8 years of experience in ICT / Digital Economy policy and regulation and/or ICT / Digital Economy project design and implementation equivalent combination of education and experience.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
- Expertise in digital infrastructure policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations. Knowledge and expertise of new areas of digital regulation, data, platforms, technology and innovation is an added advantage.
- Proven track record in the development and delivery of World Bank operations, including client dialogue, managing interaction with CMUs, technical preparation of project documents, appraisal, negotiation and supervision of projects.
- 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.
- Experience in managing large and diverse teams working on a range of different activities.
- Good understanding of role of private sector on digital infrastructure and familiarity with PPP structuring
- Prior policy dialogue activities working with countries with limited capacity and influencing ICT reforms
- Proven experience advising governments or regulatory agencies on priority sector reforms issues and regulatory interventions in broadband infrastructure (fixed and mobile), conducting dialogue with regulators, and ability to develop best practice on regulation.
- Work experience in EAP, and good knowledge of sector issues in the Pacific region is an advantage.
- Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, in data and evidence-based reforms, using metrics and indicators to determine numeric reform targets, take stock of developments over time, and use data driven results monitoring as an instrument to advance reforms. Combines a broad grasp of the relevant theory and principles and of involved practices and precedent.
- Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated in a proven track record of effectively delivering technical information in appropriate language to clients, the international development community, academia, and internal working groups.
- Excellent presentation skills, using charts, graphs 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.
- Strong 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, mentor staff, and resolve conflicts constructively.
- Willingness and ability to travel.
- Proficiency in English is essential
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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.
Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET appointment of three years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.