WBG Pioneer -AI/Data Science Intern

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.

WBG Pioneer

VPU Context

The Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) enables the World Bank Group to achieve its mission of ending extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet by delivering transformative information and technologies to its staff working in over 150+ locations. For more information on ITS, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=VTFGffa1Y7w

Unit Context: 

The WBG Corporate Solutions Department (ITSCO) is focused on the digital transformation of essential corporate services to ensure WBG operations are seamless, resilient, and future ready. Uniting digitalization roadmaps, experience design, process optimization, application delivery, systems management, and technology modernization across some 170 products and services, the department links business ambition with operational excellence—from intuitive employee experiences and precision payroll to data-driven decision making, intelligent automation, and AI enablement. The Corporate Business Solutions (ITSCB) unit oversees vital corporate systems such as personnel administration, benefits, tax, pension, health services, and other essential corporate services. These operations—and their supporting platforms—demand uncompromising accuracy, confidentiality, and resilience, operating in environments where reliability is non‑negotiable. This role is for the Global Payroll and Taxes team which is responsible for providing secure and compliant payroll and tax platforms, incorporating automation, self-service, and regulatory best practices to ensure accuracy and transparency.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyze 5 years of historical payroll exception data to identify patterns, recurring root causes, and predictive indicators across pay groups, countries, and exception categories

• Build and validate a predictive model that detects potential payroll exceptions before the pay run completes, using historical labeled data

• Analyze 4 years of payroll processing timing data to identify bottlenecks, map processing duration trends, and recommend scheduling optimizations for the payroll dashboard (700+ activities)

• Develop data visualizations and summary dashboards to present findings to business stakeholders (Controllers, payroll operations team)

• Document methodology, model performance, and recommendations in a format suitable for handoff to the permanent team

• Participate in team standup meetings and contribute to the broader AI roadmap discussion

Selection Criteria

• Currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program in Data Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field

• Candidates must have 0–6 years of relevant professional experience

• Academic background must align with the requirements outlined in the job description

• Demonstrated interest in development work and the World Bank Group’s mission

• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work effectively in diverse, team-based environments

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines

• Proficiency in English; additional languages may be required depending on the role

• Demonstrated experience with Python

• Experience with data visualization tools

• Ability to translate technical findings into business-friendly presentations

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.