Description

Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help client countries 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 poverty on a livable planet. 

With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the World Bank Group works with public and private partners, invests in groundbreaking projects and uses data, research, and technology to develop solutions to pressing global, regional and local challenges. For more information, please visit http: http://www.worldbank.org.

The organization has undertaken an ambitious exercise to revise its mandate, products and structure to adjust to the multiple, intertwined crises affecting the world today (see Evolution Roadmap), in the move to becoming a better Bank.

Business Unit Overview

The mission of the Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) is to leverage information and technology as a force multiplier to accelerate, deepen, and sustain development impact. The vision is to harness information and technology for a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information on ITS, check this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=VTFGffa1Y7w. 

Department Context

The ITS Data Technology Office is the central entity within the World Bank Group’s Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) department responsible for enabling data, AI, information, and knowledge capabilities across the institution. It comprises four Units focused on platforms & tools, product & service delivery, enablement and governance. The office plays a pivotal role in advancing the Group’s digital transformation, supporting business domains with trusted data, information and AI capabilities, and fostering a culture of responsible innovation.

Unit Context

The Enablement Unit is dedicated to uplifting the World Bank Group’s enterprise maturity in data, information, and AI by driving technology-related capability-building, adoption, and innovation in the business areas across the institution. This unit leads the design and delivery of literacy programs, self-service platforms and practices, and citizen enablement initiatives, ensuring that staff and business units are empowered to leverage data, AI and knowledge technology responsibly and effectively. Through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and community-building, the Enablement Unit fosters a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose

Lead strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and AI, data and information capability enablement in the business areas across WBG by directing and developing teams to deliver effectively on this mandate. This role drives alignment with business priorities, fosters adoption of data and AI practices, and builds organizational capacity through literacy, self-service programs, and strong people leadership.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning & Roadmapping

- Develop and maintain strategic plans and investment roadmaps for uplifting enterprise maturity in data, information and AI.
- Align initiatives with organizational priorities, emerging trends, and business needs.
- Facilitate prioritization and benefits realization through portfolio management.

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Communications

- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure business alignment, responsiveness, and trust.
- Lead communications strategies for major initiatives, including transformation programs and service launches.
- Coordinate feedback loops and engagement forums to inform planning and delivery.

3. Literacy Program Leadership

- Partner with ITS Learning, Knowledge Department and Digital VPU to design and deliver literacy programs across data, AI, and information domains.
- Track literacy outcomes and adoption metrics to inform continuous improvement.

4. Self-Service & Citizen Enablement

- Lead the development and rollout of self-service platforms and citizen data science/AI initiatives.
- Coordinate with platform and delivery teams to ensure usability, support, and scalability.
- Provide “office hours” and expert clinics to support technically challenging problems and promote adoption.

5. Community Building & Outreach

- Identify and nurture champions within business areas to scale citizen-led innovation.
- Foster communities of practice around data tools, citizen coding, AI experimentation, and open knowledge.
- Organize awareness events, showcases, and learning sessions to promote engagement and innovation.
- Act as a visible advocate and “holder of the microphone” for the ITS Data Technology Office - representing its work, values, and impact and leading the likeminded champions throughout the business areas.

- Build high-value external partnerships in data, AI and information domains to facilitate the flow of thought leadership.

6. Innovation & Change Leadership

- Collaborate with ITSTI to facilitate cross-functional innovation programs and pilots in data, information and AI (e.g. ‘AI Studio’).
- Lead efforts to support transformation, adoption, and cultural shifts.

7. People Management and Leadership

- Build, lead, and develop a diverse, high-performing team by setting clear goals, roles, and accountability for delivery of the work program.
- Foster an environment of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning that enables staff to innovate, adapt, and deliver with impact.
- Provide coaching, feedback, and growth opportunities to strengthen staff capabilities in data, AI, and information, ensuring readiness for future organizational needs.

Selection Criteria

Skills Required

* Strategic planning and portfolio management

* Stakeholder engagement and communications

* Leading communities of practice

* Design and enablement of enterprise-wide data and information literacy and outreach programs

* Design and enablement of safe citizen coding and citizen data science capabilities

* Innovation facilitation and design thinking

* Change management and organizational development

* Performance measurement and impact evaluation

* Understanding of a broad range of data, information and knowledge technology, products and services – from data and AI, through to unstructured documents and archives - and an ability to identify appropriate balance between standardization and customization to unique needs

Prior Experience

* 12 years, with at least 10 in a leadership experience in capability-building or enablement roles

* Designing and scaling enterprise-wide literacy or self-service initiatives

* Driving adoption of data, AI, or information technologies

* Building partnerships and fostering cross-functional collaboration, communities of practice

* Leading change and innovation programs

* People Management

Education & Certification

* Advanced degree in Information Management, Computer Science, Organizational Development, or related field

* Required: Change Management certification (e.g. Prosci), Agile (e.g. CSM, SAFe)

* Preferred: Data/Information Management (e.g. DMBOK), Cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, AWS)

Within the first year, this leader will deliver the following:

* Consolidate the Enablement and Outreach capability and team.

* Drive a step-change in enterprise capability by launching and scaling literacy programs and self-service initiatives that empower staff and business units to confidently use data, information, and AI tools.

* Establish communities of practice around data tools, citizen coding, and AI experimentation, fostering peer learning, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.

* Collaborate with ITSTI and business partners to launch ‘AI Studio’ for fostering and scaling AI experimentation across the institution.

* Build strong partnerships with ITS Learning, Knowledge Department, Digital VPU, DEC and other business units to ensure programs are relevant, impactful, and aligned with organizational priorities.

* “Hold the microphone” as a visible advocate and thought leader for responsible data and AI use, organizing awareness events, showcases, and expert clinics that inspire and support staff across the Group.

* Demonstrate measurable improvements in adoption and engagement, with clear metrics showing increased participation in literacy programs, self-service platforms, and citizen-led innovation.

* Develop, manage, and grow a skilled, engaged delivery team by setting clear expectations, building capabilities, and fostering a culture of accountability and innovation to ensure sustainable, impactful delivery.

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.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.  Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.