Digital and Climate Specialist

Organization
World Bank
Location
Washington, DC
Job Type
Full-time
Deadline for Applications
02/19/2025
How to Apply
https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/31529?c=worldbankgroup
Where to Apply
https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/31529?c=worldbankgroup
Tags
Full-time

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank consists of two entities – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org.

Digital 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.

The Green Digital Business Line

The Green Digital Business Line supports countries to achieve their digital transformation and inclusion goals sustainably and empowers them to better use data and digital technologies for climate action. The Business Line does this by undertaking new research and thought leadership, developing operational guidance materials, supporting internal and external capacity building, providing technical assistance to clients and World Bank tasks teams, and engaging in global and local partnerships.

• Resilient digital transformation: Digital infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to climate-related risks, such as flooding, severe storms, water scarcity, and extreme heat.  These threats can disrupt communications, banking, power-grids, transportation, and government services. To mitigate these risks, the World Bank works with countries to integrate resilience into the design of their digital infrastructure investments and policies.
• Low-carbon digital infrastructure: Digital infrastructure and devices generate significant and growing emissions during production and operation. The World Bank works with countries to incentivize and invest in energy efficient and climate-resilient digital infrastructure, devices, and services. It also supports the adoption of renewable energy solutions to power telecommunications and data infrastructure, including last mile connectivity.
• Digital technologies and data for climate action: The World Bank supports countries to use digital tools and data to inform climate and environment related policy making, investments and innovation. This includes using digital tools to accelerate adaptation and mitigation efforts, as well as support for client countries on effective use of digital technologies and data for climate adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity, and other environmental use cases.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Green Digital Business Line is recruiting a Digital Development Specialist to join the team. The position is based at the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington DC.  The duties of the role include:

• Technical expertise: Play a focal point role in developing and/or disseminating technical knowledge related to climate corporate commitments (e.g. Paris Alignment and Climate Co-Benefits (CCBs) for the Digital Transformation task teams, as well as wider topics at the intersection of digital and climate change.
• Operational guidance: Support teams in shaping the design of projects through the project lifecycle by helping teams incorporate good practices regarding green digital into their projects.  Develop and refine methodologies for assessing mitigation and adaption efforts within digital transformation projects in coordination with the World Bank’s Climate Change team, particularly the colleagues working on CCB.
• Technical support: Provide project-level support for World Bank task teams and country clients on integrating and implementing green digital approaches in operations, including policy and strategy considerations, as well as advice on how to include green requirements in digital procurement.
• Knowledge sharing: Facilitate knowledge sharing across task teams and in coordination with the Climate Change team.  Support the dissemination of good practices and knowledge through the development of practical tools and guidance materials for task teams.
• Team support: Become a core member of the green digital team, which is a small team with diverse and evolving tasks and often short deadlines. Given the small team, tasks will include technical work streams, project management, communications and events, and some administrative tasks as well.

 

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in economics, environmental sciences, climate change, environmental economics, engineering in telecoms or energy, social sciences, or other related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in climate change, environmental fields, digital development with an interest in climate change and/or environment.
• Experience with intersection between digital and climate change issues, including policy and strategy considerations is a plus.
• Demonstrated technical expertise at the intersection of digital transformation or digital infrastructure development and climate change (mitigation and adaptation).  Enthusiasm to stay abreast with emerging green digital topics.
• Technical and policy experience with World Bank Climate Corporate Commitments, including Paris Alignment and CCBs is preferred.
• Strong project management skills, ability to manage multiple deliverables simultaneously and proven track record of delivering in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills in English and an ability to convey technical information and data in a clear and effective manner.
• Willingness to travel as required.

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.