Practice Manager, Digital, AFE at World Bank Group

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.