JOB DESCRIPTION

Data Scientist

Job #: req32521 Organization: World Bank Sector: Economics Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 4/15/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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

The Trade Unit (ETIRI) is part of the Prosperity Vice Presidency. In ETIRI, we are responsible for delivering analytic, advisory, financial and convening services in the areas of trade policy, trade facilitation, logistics and connectivity, and regional integration.

Considering the fast trend in digitization of trade transactions and supply chains, the Trade unit is ramping up its analytical capacity relying on Big Data and machine learning techniques. These are game changers for knowledge development and policy engagement.

ETIRI is hiring a Data Scientist to contribute to analytical and technical assistance engagements at global and country levels on trade-related issues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will work to broaden and deepen the World Bank Group’s trade policy program including, but not limited to:

• Contribute to analytical studies relying on big data, such as the flagship Logistics Performance index (LPI), among others.
• Contribute to the maintenance and updating of big data sets, including through partnering with external providers.
• Implement big data pipelines for processing data sets of various types and scales to generate insights for analytical products to guide knowledge development and policy engagement.
• Support to other trade team members engaged in the production and research in preparing reproducibility packages, and liaison with corresponding team in the research group.
• Participate in the development of new knowledge products and instruments that can be mainstreamed into country work, including the development of toolkits for analytical work relying on big data and machine learning.
• Contribute to country level analytics and support regions by engaging in the policy dialogue with client countries and participating in lending projects initiated by country teams. This may involve the preparation of briefs, PowerPoint presentations, and policy notes for both internal and external audiences, reviewing and commenting on key documents, consultations, and stakeholder engagement activities through lending and non-lending activities (i.e., projects, programs, analytical work, etc.).
• Participate in knowledge sharing and learning activities of the Trade Unit, and organize and contribute to dissemination activities, conferences, workshops and learning programs.
• Participate in and contribute to knowledge sharing and learning activities of the Data Science & Statistics Community.
• Participate in and expand the scope of partnerships established with other units and organizations active in big data analytics in relation to trade.
• Support the Practice Manager and the Global Practice with corporate demands and quality control of deliverables.
• Present the team’s work at internal and external knowledge exchange and dissemination events.

Selection Criteria

• Masters or Advanced Degree in relevant field (data science, economics, trade), with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in data science (or PhD degree in relevant field, and at least 2 years of relevant professional experience).

• Demonstrated professional experience in the analytics of trade-related issues.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills and proven ability to conduct independent quantitative research.

• Proficiency in Python and most common packages such as NumPy, Pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.  Familiarity with GIS, and common database languages (e.g. SQL).

• Proficiency in big data processing and experience with tools such as Databricks, PySpark, or similar stack.

• Demonstrated experience in using workflow management and code versioning tools such as GitHub.

• Demonstrated experience with implementation of machine learning techniques including common supervised learning algorithms, unsupervised algorithm, and exposure to neural networks, including for image and language processing.

• Strong understanding of the data life cycle, the dimensions of data quality, reproducible research practices, and data protection.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with multiple priorities and tight deadlines.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Experience with data visualization.  Demonstrated ability to take leadership and communicate ideas effectively under pressure.

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements