Data Scientist

Description

The Strategy, Results and Risk Unit (OPSSR), within OPSRL, encompasses four interlinked streams of work (i) it supports the OPSVP and the MDs to report on results spearheaded by Practice Groups and Regions, including through yearly Board updates on the WBGs Corporate Scorecards, and stewardship of the IDA Results Measurement System and policy commitments; (ii) it coordinates the overall engagement with the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), including by crafting corporate responses to independent evaluations and reporting annually on the Management Action Record; (iii) it works with task teams and other units in OPCS and across GPs and Regions to support operations through relevant advice and strengthen skills, guidance, and tools to enhance Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) underpinning results reporting.; and (iv) it spearheads WBG efforts towards greater outcome orientation, including external coordination on results with other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).

OPSRS is currently strengthening its capacity on data science / analytics to support different aspects of OPCS’ work. This position in OPSRS will play a pivotal role in the data science work of the Unit working along with other colleagues in the team and across various Practice Groups (PGs) and Regions of the World Bank. The data scientist will work with others within OPSRS who currently support the existing data architecture.
Roles and Responsibilities
We are looking for two dynamic development professionals with strong data analytics and research skills combined with knowledge on development operations and a passion for evidence-based data and analytical activities. These are two interrelated roles, one as Data Scientist/Statistician and the other one as Data Scientist/Data Engineer.

Results Architecture and Data Science

• Work creatively to help update the overall data architecture for measuring results in the Bank, including the Corporate Scorecard and IDA Results Management System. In this effort, collaborate with Bank-wide colleagues to find opportunities for OPCS to better mine and analyze data. Determine and seek inputs on relevant data sources and systems from, among others, colleagues in OPCS, IEG, GPs and Regions, Development Economics (DEC), Information and Technology Solutions (ITS), and other groups.
• Help develop and implement a plan for use of new technology, including machine learning, to further strengthen the work of OPSRS – including using technology to identify key issues on an ongoing basis in the areas of results, M&E systems, lesson learning etc. from the WB operations portal, Project Appraisal Documents (PADs), project Implementation Support Reviews (ISRs), Implementation Completion Reports (ICRs) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) evaluations. These will help directly inform the operational effectiveness of the Bank’s work.

• Undertake data collection, data entry and quality assurance for Corporate Scorecards and IDA Results Measurement System (RMS).
• Provide data analysis and visualizations for presentations related to the corporate reporting and the IDA RMS.
• Develop innovative ways to present results data that communicates a persuasive and impactful message.

IEG Evaluations

• Analyze approach papers prepared by the Independent Evaluation Group to prepare methodological comments on behalf of Management to help strengthen the value of evaluations.

Results Unit Data Team

• Undertake data cleaning, collection, and exploratory data analysis (EDA) on result indicators through Power BI and, when required, manual review of result frameworks of PADs, ISRs and ICRs for quality assurance purposes.

Revamping Corporate Scorecards

• Research and explore of new indicators to be included in corporate reporting for the new corporate scorecard. This includes project document review, literature review, and production of write-ups of findings.
• Conduct data exploratory analysis on use of Corporate Results Indicators (CRIs) across World Bank portfolio results framework.
• Review the CRIs Guidance and Procedure to improve its clarity and propose a set of new indicators.

• Conduct analytical, research and knowledge work related to the Quarterly Updates to the Board on Region, Practice Group areas, Food and Nutrition Security, Operations, among others, as scheduled by the Board.

• Conduct independent data cleaning, exploratory data analysis (EDA), analytical and visualization support for other activities, presentations, and assigned tasks, including drafting of reports and methodology notes of analytics conducted. Moreover, provide analytics related to improving the data architecture for measuring results in the World Bank.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s or PHD (preferred) degree in relevant field (i.e., Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Public Administration, etc.) with a focus on data science and analytics (and research methods), with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• In-depth knowledge and skill in mathematical and quantitative reasoning; use of advanced computer languages and software; basic statistical concepts, practice, and theory; data management and curation; data description and visualization; data modeling and assessment; and workflow and reproducibility
• Superior integrative thinking skills and ability to support project teams in developing an integrated point of view around development challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to seek out, collate and synthesize inputs from across sectoral and thematic boundaries.
• Outstanding to tailor communication style to meet audience needs and delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup.
• Excellent programming/coding skills related to data collection, data management and statistical software (e.g., STATA, R, Python, SQL,).
• Solid understanding of research methods, including evaluation approaches used in MDBs, solid methodological grounding in matters of indicator development, measurement, supporting data evidence (sources, collection, analysis, etc.), and reporting (including dashboards, etc.).
• Drive, proven sense of initiative, results orientation, flexibility, leadership qualities, as well as effective teamwork skills.
• Ability to work flexibly, creatively and to multitask as the need arises.
• A high degree of self-motivation, positive attitude, and drive.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

• In-depth knowledge and skill in the following core areas of data engineering:
• data ingestion and transformation;
• relational databases;
• data APIs;
• batch and real-time processing frameworks and algorithms;
• building complex data pipelines;
• processing structured and unstructured data;
• validating data quality;
• application development.

• In-depth knowledge and in the following core areas of statistics:
• standards and methods;
• statistical production, management, integration and related applications;
• statistics processing, compilation, and dissemination.
• statistical analysis and modeling;
• standard statistical software packages, statistical computing, and operating systems;
• machine learning tools and techniques.

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.

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