Data Scientist
| Job #: | req35963 |
| Organization: | World Bank |
| Sector: | Research & Quantitative Analysis |
| Grade: | GF |
| Term Duration: | 4 years 0 months |
| Recruitment Type: | International Recruitment |
| Location: | Washington, DC,United States |
| Required Language(s): | English |
| Closing Date: | 3/27/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC |
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients 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 extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org. Office of the Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer
The Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer (MDCKO) oversees the World Bank Group’s knowledge and partnership agenda and helps ensure that the institution’s analytical and operational work responds to the most pressing development challenges facing client countries and global partners. The office plays a key role in shaping the World Bank Group’s strategic direction, supporting key partnerships with shareholders, development agencies, other academia, and other stakeholders, and strengthening how knowledge, evidence, and learning inform development impact.
With the launch of the Knowledge Bank at the start of 2026, the World Bank Group is deepening its focus on one of the areas client countries value most: global knowledge on what works, where, and why. The Knowledge Bank is intended to bring global expertise closer to country challenges, strengthen collaboration across sectors and institutions, and help scale practical solutions that can improve lives, create jobs, and support better development outcomes.
As part of this model, the World Bank Group now operates through five vertical vice presidencies aligned with the mission: People, Prosperity, Planet, Infrastructure, and Digital & AI. In addition, three horizontal departments reporting to the MDCKO enhance knowledge, innovation, and outcome orientation across the World Bank Group. One of those horizontal departments focuses on improving the institution outcome orientation: Department for Outcomes.
Department for Outcomes
The Department for Outcomes helps provide the strategic vision and direction for stronger outcome orientation across the World Bank Group. Its mandate includes advancing thought leadership on development outcomes measurement, proposing revisions and updates to results indicators and methodologies for both project and portfolio-level management, coordinating the development of outcome targets and their implications for knowledge, operations, and financing, and strengthening how results are measured and used across the institution. In such capacity, the Department for Outcomes is responsible for managing the WBG Scorecard, the apex outcomes reporting tool of the institution.
The Department for Outcomes also supports the development and implementation of metrics and systems to evaluate outcomes on cross-cutting themes such as climate, jobs, private sector capital mobilization, women, and youth, including monitoring these areas in collaboration with MDO, IFC, and MIGA. In addition, the Department for Outcomes convenes internal and external stakeholders, including other multilateral development banks, around outcomes metrics, learning, and capacity building, and acts as secretariat for external advisory bodies such as the Jobs Council.
Within this broader mandate, the Department is advancing the AI for Outcomes program within Outcomes Delivery Unit, which applies artificial intelligence and advanced data science to strengthen outcomes measurement, generate operational insight, and support evidence-based decision making across World Bank Group operations.
The Data Scientist will join the Department for Outcomes at World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C. S/he will support the AI for Outcomes workstream within Outcomes Delivery, helping develop and manage analytical tools and data analytical products that strengthen the institution’s ability to measure, interpret, and improve development outcomes. S/he will report to the Outcomes Delivery Unit, Manager (WKCOD).
This position requires a combination of strong analytical, writing, presentation, design, and project management skills; hands-on experience with natural language processing, large language models (LLMs), and other machine learning techniques; and an understanding of development operations. The role offers the opportunity to work across World Bank Group practice groups and on cross-cutting priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Data Scientist will be responsible for:
· Contributing to the development of analytical tools and data products under the AI for Outcomes program, including the building of full stack applications using LLMs for outcomes measurement and analysis.
· Translating complex analytical findings into clear, visually strong and well-designed presentations, briefs, dashboards, and other written outputs for technical and non-technical audiences.
· Supporting project management for development of full stack AI applications across analytical workstreams, including coordinating inputs, tracking timelines, and helping ensure timely delivery of key outputs.
· Supporting analytical and knowledge work related to outcomes metrics from operations, including aggregating results and helping monitor how and where the institution is driving development outcomes.
· Testing new and existing outcome indicators to inform strategic decision platforms supporting World Bank Group senior leadership, including contributing to the refinement of outcome indicator methodologies.
· Supporting the development and tracking of outcome targets to inform evidence-based decisions on strategies and portfolios, including through strategy and project document review, and synthesis of findings.
· Supporting additional work program priorities of the Department for Outcomes as needed.
Selection Criteria
Technical Skills
· Software Engineering Practices: Knowledge of software engineering best practices, including version control, modular design, testing, and reproducible workflows to ensure reliability under demanding timelines.
· Data Engineering & Large-Scale Data: Experience working with large datasets and modern data ecosystems, including SQL, distributed data processing, and cloud-based environments.
· Statistical Computing & Data Structures: Strong programming in Python, with the ability to write efficient, well-structured code and work comfortably with complex and high-dimensional data structures.
· Full-Stack AI & Analytical Systems: Expertise in architecting end-to-end analytical pipelines—from data ingestion to user-facing applications. Experience in building the "AI brains" of the app and have hands-on experience integrating these features into live web platforms, including managing real-time interactive dashboards.
· Communication & Analytical Translation: Ability to translate complex quantitative analysis into clear insights and communicate findings effectively to non-technical audiences.
Education
· Master’s degree in information systems/computer science, statistics, international development, political science, public administration, public policy, management, economics, or related field.
Experience
· At least five years of professional experience, with a clear progression of responsibility in delivering projects.
· We are looking for someone who can bridge the gap between "code" and "business value" for senior stakeholders.
· We value hybrid profiles with a demonstrated capacity to adapt and thrive within demanding timelines.
Client-oriented & Project Management skills
· Outside-in approach with the ability to understand and anticipate client needs.
· Highly organized and detail-oriented with a focus on producing high-quality deliverables.
· Ability to navigate through complexity, multitask, and work with short deadlines.
· Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple workstreams, coordinate across stakeholders, and deliver high-quality outputs on time.
Design & Communication skills
· Ability to design clear, visually compelling briefs, and other knowledge products for non-technical audiences.
· Strong ability to structure complex information into accessible, and well-designed visuals for decision makers.
Interpersonal & Communication skills
· Ability to work in multi-cultural environments and teams.
· Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process, which will consist of an online technical assessment evaluating programming and analytical skills.
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.
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.
