Junior Professional Associate

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, please visit www.worldbank.org
Junior Professional Associates – Program Description

The Junior Professionals Associate Program (JPA) offers an exceptional opportunity for recent graduates to embark on a professional journey, providing a three-year contract with valuable work experience within a diverse and dynamic environment and the potential of field work experience. The program is an excellent platform to sharpen your existing skills and to develop new ones, all while gaining a profound understanding of the challenges associated with reducing poverty and fostering shared prosperity on a livable planet.

We will provide you with the opportunity to gain entry-level professional experience in a premier development institution, on an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) contract with benefits. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org/careers/jpa

The following are minimum requirements to be eligible for the JPA program:

• Be 32 years of age or younger
• Hold a bachelor’s degree
• Be fluent in English

The JPA program at the World Bank is a highly competitive initiative. Candidates who are being actively considered for positions may be required to present academic transcripts and professional references. The World Bank’s Human Resources team and hiring team will reach out exclusively to individuals selected for assessment and interviews.

Positions may be in any of the World Bank’s offices worldwide.

Specific Unit Description

The Standards, Procurement, and Financial Management (OPSPF) department anchors two well-established fiduciary assurance functions, Financial Management (FM) and Procurement, which also play a key role in supporting governance and PFM reforms in Borrower countries and the MDBs’ harmonization agenda. OPSPF’s main mandate is to provide oversight and technical leadership to the FM and Procurement networks through professional standards, accreditation, overall risk management and quality assurance, and hands-on advice and support to teams on complex and innovative operations. OPSPF is currently leading several Bank-wide reforms and initiatives that have a considerable impact on the Bank’s operations and contribute significantly to several of the Bank’s priorities and policy commitments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Across the FM and Procurement in operations function:
• Identify business processes and systems for deployment of AI solutions to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness and create business case/s.
• Run pilots and conduct analysis of usability, accuracy, efficiency etc. to identify solutions with greatest possible benefit, and present findings.
• Prepare detailed time/ work plan and work closely with OPSPF team members, regional coordinators, ITS, and others as needed to develop and implement AI solutions.
• Analyze trends in operational data to identify areas for system improvements, staff training, and guidance.
• Develop dashboards for staff and management use incorporating AI elements to enable data-informed deployment of resources and improved risk management.
• Develop tools and materials for training and knowledge sharing.
• Produce use case studies and Good Practice notes as relevant.
• Prepare a medium-term plan for embedding use of AI solutions as an integral part of business processes.

Selection Criteria

• A Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Science, or a similar field
• 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience demonstrating knowledge of AI use and its application.
• Strong data analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to generate work plans, reports, presentations, and training materials.
• Experience in the fields of Financial Management or Procurement is preferred.
• A master’s degree in finance or other relevant discipline will be an added advantage.

Poverty has no borders, neither does excellence. We succeed because of our differences and we continuously search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe.