WBG Pioneer - Labor Economist Intern

WBG Pioneer - Labor Economist 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.

The Social Policy unit in the Europe and Central Asia Region focuses on:

• Strengthening Social Protection Systems – Support countries in building strong, people‑centered systems that provide income support, insure against shocks, and ensure inclusion across the life cycle.
• Promoting Jobs and Economic Opportunities – Expand access to productive employment, skills, and labor market programs, especially for women and youth, in the context of green, digital, and demographic transitions.
• Advancing Equity and Inclusion – Improve fairness and access in social benefits and services, ensuring vulnerable groups are protected and not left behind during reforms or transitions.
• Enhancing Preparedness and Resilience – Help countries design adaptive, shock‑responsive systems capable of protecting human capital during crises, conflicts, and economic disruptions.
• Delivering Knowledge, Analytics, and Operational Support – Produce strategic analysis, guidance, and country engagements that shape policies and investments across the ECA region.

Duties and Responsibilities 

The intern will support the Social Policy team in Brussels in the following areas

• Facilitate knowledge-sharing between European Union Member States and other countries in the ECA region and beyond on innovative solutions to complex and priority issues including by (i) working with subject matter experts to curate learning materials and slide decks; (ii) contributing to/co-leading the development of relevant case studies and exercises; and (iii) organizing, categorizing and maintaining information to make it easily accessible and useful for clients.
• Support the SP team in engaging with and maintaining close collaboration with European Institutions, including the European Commission (EC).
• In collaboration with the SP team, as well as the communications team, play a key role in the organization of seminars, workshops, conferences and other events for clients and other stakeholders by coordinating with speakers, overseeing branding and communications, handling logistical arrangements, etc.
• Be an active participant of People’s communities of practice, help facilitate business trips to Brussels by HD management and staff, and contribute to HD corporate priorities as needed.
• Contribute to analytical tasks by (i) conducting literature reviews and synthesizing research findings relevant to the tasks; (ii) drafting background papers, working papers, reports, policy papers or other deliverables or parts thereof, usually under minimal supervisions; and (iii) contributing to the publication and dissemination of research findings.
• Contribute to teams that plan, prepare, supervise and deliver lending operations in response to the demands from government counterparts within the European Union.
• In collaboration with task teams, participate in business trips and meetings (virtual and in-person), collect and interpret project-related information and data, participate in technical assistance interventions and policy dialogue, and contribute to the preparation of project documentation.
• Contribute to cross-sectoral analytical activities and efforts to develop holistic World Bank solutions to EU Member Countries’ development challenges and policy reform agendas by joining cross-sectoral task within and beyond the HD nexus.
• Maintain regular interactions with tasks teams and internal and external collaborators, partners and clients to ensure smooth communication and timely information flow.

Selection Criteria

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in, or in the final year of, a postgraduate (master’s/PhD) program
• Candidates must have 0–6 years of relevant professional experience
• 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 
• Excellent analytical skills, including data management, visualization, analysis, and reporting
• Expertise in ECCEU priority issues, such as aging, long-term care, migration, skills/jobs or just transition, would be an advantage.
• Experience working with European institutions, notably the European Commission (EC), would be an advantage
• Strong organizational skills; interpersonal and diplomatic skills; and ability to work and deliver on time under tight deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with ability to tailor communication style to meet audience needs and to deliver information effectively
• Excellent computer skills, especially word processing and spread sheet analysis (advanced quantitative analysis and data handling skills and knowledge of data management / statistical software packages such as STATA, R or Python would be an advantage)

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.