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Internship at World Bank in Washington, DC – develop data science, behavioral analytics, and policy evaluation skills.
Join WBG Pioneers to work on poverty‑reduction projects and learn about geospatial analysis, R, Stata, and RCT design.
WBG Pioneer - Development Impact Intern
Job #:
req37632
Organization:
World Bank
Grade:
T4 (no-fee)
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Hiring Manager:
Florentina Mulaj
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
8/12/2026 (11:59pm UTC)
Description
WBG Pioneers, the World Bank Group’s Internship Program, offers undergraduate and postgraduate students a high impact learning experience at the heart of global development. Participants gain hands on experience in a diverse and dynamic environment, contribute fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, and connect with international professionals working to end poverty on a livable planet.
DECDI generates high-quality and operationally relevant data and research to transform development policy, help reduce extreme poverty, and secure shared prosperity. It develops customized data and evidence ecosystems to produce actionable information and recommends specific policy pathways to maximize impact. DECDI works across the following World Bank sectors: Agriculture, Governance, Climate Change, Financial & Private Sector Development, Entertainment Education, Transport & Infrastructure, Social Protection & Jobs, and Fragility Conflict and Violence. DECDI establishes a research team to work on each study, which typically includes a principal investigator and co-investigators, a field coordinator based in country to support the government client, and one or more research assistants to support data cleaning, processing, and analysis.
Within DECDI, The Mind, Behavior, and Development Unit (eMBeD) offers internships that engage students in the practical application of behavioral science to tackle complex policy challenges. These opportunities provide a hands‑on introduction to using behavioral insights to design, test, and refine interventions aimed at improving outcomes across DECDI. By the end of the internship, interns will develop a deep understanding of how behavioral science enhances policy effectiveness and supports equitable development, especially in resource‑constrained settings.
More information can be found at http://www.worldbank.org/dime and https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/embed .
Duties and Responsibilities
The interns will report to the project Principal Investigators and other members of the Impact Evaluation team.
- Support the dissemination of impact evaluation methodology and results
- Support team members in writing well‑documented, reproducible code for data cleaning, descriptive statistics, regression analysis, data visualization, and any other analysis as per project needs; and/or document all data work on the project’s GitHub repository
- Manage databases, integrating various data sources (for example, project monitoring data, administrative data from local government, and household survey data). This may require programming matching algorithms, using spatial data to create linkages, performing manual matching, and linking up with field staff for additional information on specific tasks
- Conduct literature review and syntheses, contribute to impact evaluation reports and policy briefs, and support the design and development of concept notes, policy notes, or papers that synthesize research findings, provide actionable recommendations, and inform policymaking in relevant areas, among other writing and editing tasks
- Contribute to the development and implementation of field protocols for primary data collection and procedures and survey instruments, including field protocol, data quality protocol, recruitment of field staff, field staff training, and survey pilots
- Coordinate acquisition of secondary data, such as administrative data
- Support the development of instruments and diagnostic tools for data collection, such as focus groups, interviews, and surveys, as applicable
- Assist and support the design, implementation, and analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using behavioral insights approaches
- Perform other related tasks, as discussed
Selection Criteria
The skills required vary across projects, but the following are desirable:
Academic specialization:
Be enrolled in a master's degree (or PhD) program in economics, public policy, statistics, computer science, behavioral sciences, or related field, with strong quantitative research skills is desirable
Technical skills:
Knowledge of programming in Stata, R, or Python for data processing and analysis is desirable, and required for certain positions
Experience with survey programming in an ODK‑based platform is desirable, and required for certain positions
Experience with machine learning, natural language processing, Shiny dashboards, and geospatial analysis is desirable, and required for certain positions
Experience coding in a team environment and using GitHub is highly desirable.
Experience:
Prior background in impact evaluation and econometric analysis is a plus
Experience working in developing countries preferred and knowledge about the relevant sectors is desirable
For applicants to eMBeD:
Demonstrated experience applying behavioral science concepts to real‑world challenges, such as designing or evaluating behaviorally informed interventions or conducting behavioral diagnostics is preferred
Prior experience in intervention design, impact evaluation, and econometric analysis is highly desirable
Capacity Building Skills:
Demonstrated ability and experience in designing and delivering training and capacity building activities or other teaching experience is a plus
Language:
Superior written and oral communications skills in English is essential
Certain positions may require fluency in other languages (such as French, Portuguese, Hindi, Swahili, Arabic
Interpersonal skills:
Motivated self‑starter, with demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in teams, and excellent cross‑cultural communication skills
No‑Fee Internship Eligibility
This position is offered under the WBG Pioneers No‑Fee Internship Track. Students may be offered a no‑fee STT appointment provided that they either: (a) are enrolled in a Master's, PhD, or similar graduate program during the entire internship (or are in the fifth year or higher of a degree program in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages) and provide an official letter from their university confirming that the internship fulfills academic requirements for at least one term of study; or (b) are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies and receive a stipend from their university at least equivalent to the minimum STT T1 fee level in effect at the start of the assignment, as confirmed by an official university letter.
Note: Please limit your applications to a maximum of three positions. Applications exceeding this limit will not be considered.
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.