Data Scientist

Job #: req24057

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: 9/17/2023 (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.

Background / General description: Prospects Group. The Prospects Group of the Development Economics Vice-Presidency provides timely analysis on global economic and financial developments, and their impact on the member countries of the WBG. Internally, it informs and helps define policy positions of the WBG and provides analytical support for WBG operations. Externally, the Prospects Group aims to influence global policy debates on major macroeconomic and development issues. In fulfilling this objective, the Prospects Group leads the WBG’s monitoring, analyzing, and forecasting work in global macroeconomics. It produces topical and policy-oriented analytical work, including the semi-annual WBG corporate flagship Global Economic Prospects report and the semi-annual Commodity Markets Outlook report. In addition, the Prospects Group produces a wide range of analytical studies that appear as working papers, policy notes, and research publications in scientific journals, conference volumes, and book chapters.

Position. The Prospects Group is looking for a Data Scientist based in Washington DC with excellent technical and economic skills to contribute to its main tasks and product lines. The successful candidate will possess applied technical experience working with macroeconomic and financial data to contribute to the Group’s main tasks and product lines related to surveillance and monitoring. This includes:

•  Development and improvement of tools for global macroeconomic analysis and forecasting, including management of the Prospects Group databases and forecasting frameworks and macro-econometric models, communicating with Prospects Group management on work status, foreseeable problems, and processes.
•  Data-driven global macroeconomic and financial surveillance, forecasting, and analysis of global economic trends.
•  Management of macroeconomic data, high-frequency systems, and forecasts from across the World Bank used in the Prospects Group products, including the Global Economic Prospects report.
•  Management of data and preparation of visuals for DECPG publications and analytical reports.
•  Depending on the candidate’s expertise, work on topical issues related to macroeconomics, finance, and development economics.

The Data Scientist will be expected to deliver under tight and frequent deadlines in a fast-paced environment. S/he will work closely with a team of talented economists, under the guidance of the Prospects Group’s management. In addition to the contributions to the Prospects Group, the Data Scientist will be expected to devote a fraction of his/her time to contribute to the work of other World Bank Group units.

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree in economics, statistics, computer sciences, or data science with a strong background in economics and economic data skills, and 5 years of relevant work experience is required.
•  In-depth knowledge and skill in one or more of the following core areas of data science: (i) mathematical and quantitative reasoning; (ii) use of advanced computer languages and software; (iii) software engineering; (iv) computational and algorithmic problem-solving; (v) statistical concepts, practice, and theory; (vi) data management and curation; (vii) data description and visualization.
•  Familiarity with sources, statistical methods, and concepts for macroeconomic, financial, commodity markets, or related economic data, as well as with forecasting systems used by major financial institutions.
•  Familiarity with commercial and in-house datasets that support analysis of macroeconomic, financial, and commodity market issues.
•  Record of experience with quantitative economic analysis and modeling techniques.
•  Strong economic skills with an eye for policy implications of technical analysis and data visualization.
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in a multi-cultural team.
•  Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
•  Since this is a Washington D.C.-based position, individuals not ready to move to Washington D.C. need not apply.

Required Competencies:

•  General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills — possesses a demonstrated track record of working with economic and financial data and analytical tools and models to conduct economic analyses and produce user-friendly written outputs.
•  Research Temperament/Intellectual Curiosity — has demonstrated an aptitude for data work through academic studies.
•  Technical experience in various aspects of data science; creative problem solving with strong skills in design and problem formulation; metadata standards; data curation; data acquisition, cleaning, and management; data interpretation, analysis; and the presentation and communication of reproducible 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.