Senior SME Digital Transformation Lead

The World Bank Group; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

World Bank Group is seeking a Senior Digital Specialist to accelerate SME digitalization and job creation across priority sectors. The role emphasizes translating complex constraints into scalable digital programs, guiding diagnostics, and shaping investment-ready delivery models.

You will collaborate with governments, private firms, and development partners to advance inclusive digital ecosystems, platform-based solutions, and responsible AI, while ensuring strong client engagement and

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in digital transformation, SME development, jobs, or private-sector development.
• Proven ability to translate constraints into feasible digital programs and results frameworks.
• Experience across governments, private firms, and development institutions in multiple regions.
• Knowledge of data governance, cybersecurity, cloud services, responsible AI.
• Excellent client engagement and cross-cultural collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and diagnostics: Lead country and sector diagnostics on SME digital readiness, adoption barriers, market opportunities, and jobs. Convert findings into prioritized roadmaps and budgets.
• SME digitalization: Design programs for e‑commerce, cloud tools, payments, cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI; develop shared services and voucher models.
• Jobs and skills: Build skills-to-jobs approaches linking employers, SMEs, platforms, training providers, and labor-market systems.
• Real-sector transformation: Identify high-value use cases and redesign firm processes and value chains across sectors.
• Enabling environment and partnerships: Advise on data governance, interoperability, digital trade, procurement, and PPPs; mobilize tech firms and investors.
• Operations and investment: Support project design, TORs, technical specifications, supervision, and private capital pathways.
• Knowledge and scale: Produce toolkits, playbooks, case studies, pilots, and scale successful models.

Skills

Digital transformation

SME development

Jobs and skills

Digital platforms

Data governance

Education

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in technology, economics, business, public policy, engineering, or related fields

Job description

World Bank Group is seeking a Senior Digital Specialist to accelerate SME digitalization and job creation across priority sectors. The role emphasizes translating complex constraints into scalable digital programs, guiding diagnostics, and shaping investment-ready delivery models.

You will collaborate with governments, private firms, and development partners to advance inclusive digital ecosystems, platform-based solutions, and responsible AI, while ensuring strong client engagement and